Debesmanna (Latvian Whipped Cranberry Semolina Pudding)
In short: A pale pink cranberry semolina porridge beaten until it is as light and airy as mousse, chilled and served in glasses. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 50 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 135 kcal
Debesmanna means heavenly manna, and the texture lives up to the name: a cranberry semolina porridge beaten until it is as light as mousse and pale pink. It is an old Latvian dessert, popular with children and served at holidays. The recipe has only a few ingredients, but the beating matters. Eight to ten minutes with an electric mixer turns thick porridge into airy foam. Serve it cold, with a few berries on top.
Instructions
- Simmer the cranberries in the water for 10 minutes, until they burst. Mash lightly and strain through a fine sieve, pressing well. Measure 800 ml (3 1/3 cups) of juice, adding water if needed.
- Return the juice to the pan with the sugar and bring to a boil. Pour in the semolina in a thin stream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Cook over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring, until the porridge is thick. Stir in the lemon juice.
- Cool to lukewarm, about 40°C (105°F), stirring now and then. This takes about 20 minutes.
- Pour into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on high for 8 to 10 minutes, until pale pink, about tripled in volume and fluffy like mousse.
- Spoon into glasses and chill for 30 minutes. Decorate with a few cranberries before serving.
Tips
- Beat the porridge when it is lukewarm, not hot, so it foams well. If it has set while cooling, warm it gently and stir before beating.
- Lingonberries, red currants or sour cherries also work. Adjust the sugar to the sourness of the fruit.
Questions and answers
Why won't my debesmanna foam?
Usually it was too hot or too thick. Let it cool to lukewarm and beat for longer, and add a splash of juice if the mixture is very stiff.
Can I make debesmanna ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 2 days in the fridge. It settles a little, so whisk it briefly before serving.
How is debesmanna served?
Cold, in glasses, plain or with a few fresh cranberries or a drizzle of cranberry syrup.
How long does it take to make Debesmanna (Latvian Whipped Cranberry Semolina Pudding)?
About 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Debesmanna (Latvian Whipped Cranberry Semolina Pudding)?
About 135 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 135 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
