Mamounieh (Semolina Pudding with Cream and Pistachios)
Local name: مأمونية
In short: Coarse semolina toasted in ghee and cooked in sugar syrup to a thick, glossy pudding, served warm with cream, pistachios and cinnamon. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 520 kcal
Mamounieh is a warm semolina dish eaten for breakfast or as a sweet in Damascus and Aleppo, often from a shared plate. The grains are toasted in ghee, then cooked in hot sugar syrup until thick and glossy. It is served with a spoon of thick cream, pistachios and cinnamon, and some families add honey. In some homes it is eaten with a slice of salty white cheese for contrast.
Instructions
- Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Keep the syrup hot over the lowest heat.
- Melt the ghee in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add the semolina and toast it, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes until sandy and lightly golden.
- Pour in the hot syrup in a slow stream, stirring constantly. It will bubble and spit, so stand back a little.
- Cook over low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until the pudding is thick, glossy and pulls away from the sides of the pot.
- Cover and leave for 5 minutes to settle. Spoon onto plates, make a shallow well in each and fill with cream.
- Top with pistachios, cinnamon and honey if you like, and serve warm.
Tips
- Toast the semolina patiently. It should smell nutty and turn pale gold, which gives the pudding its flavor.
- For a sharper contrast, serve with a few slices of mild salty white cheese beside the sweet cream. Use fine semolina for a smoother, softer set.
Questions and answers
Can I make mamounieh ahead?
It is best fresh because it firms as it cools. Reheat leftovers in a pan with a splash of hot water and stir until soft.
What is the difference between mamounieh and halva?
Both use semolina and sugar. Mamounieh is cooked with water to a soft pudding and eaten warm, while semolina halva is cooked drier and pressed into a firm block.
Can I use milk instead of water?
Yes, replace half the water with whole milk for a creamier, softer result. The traditional version uses water and gets its richness from the ghee and cream.
How long does it take to make Mamounieh (Semolina Pudding with Cream and Pistachios)?
About 30 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mamounieh (Semolina Pudding with Cream and Pistachios)?
About 520 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 63 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 520 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 63 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 38 g |
| Sodium | 25 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
