Description
This Creamy Ashura Wheat Pudding is a traditional, comforting dessert made by slow-cooking peeled wheat with milk and sugar, then thickened with cornstarch. It’s soaked overnight for tenderness and simmered until creamy, then chilled and topped with an assortment of festive garnishes such as shredded coconut, raisins, nuts, pomegranate seeds, and dried fruits. Perfect for celebratory occasions, this pudding offers a rich texture and a balance of natural sweetness and hearty grains.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup peeled wheat
- 4 cups water
- 1.5 liters milk
- ½–1 cup sugar (or substitute with condensed milk)
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnishes
- Shredded coconut
- Raisins
- Pomegranate seeds
- Nuts of choice (such as almonds, walnuts, or pistachios), to taste
- Dried fruits (dates, dried apricots, figs), optional
Instructions
- Soak Wheat: Rinse the peeled wheat thoroughly, then soak it overnight to soften and reduce the cooking time, ensuring the grains cook evenly and become tender.
- Cook Wheat: Drain the soaked wheat and place it in a large pot with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer gently for about 1 hour until the wheat is tender and fully cooked.
- Add Milk and Sweetener: Pour in the 1.5 liters of milk and add sugar or condensed milk according to your taste preference. Stir well to combine and cook the mixture gently for an additional 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Thicken with Cornstarch: In a small bowl, mix the 5 tablespoons of cornstarch with a small amount of cold milk until smooth to create a slurry. Gradually add this slurry to the pot while stirring continuously. Continue cooking for approximately 10 minutes until the pudding thickens to a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Plate and Chill: Spoon the thickened Ashura pudding into small serving bowls or plates. Allow to cool at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator to chill thoroughly, enhancing the texture and flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish each portion with a sprinkle of cinnamon (optional), shredded coconut, raisins, chopped nuts, pomegranate seeds, and any dried fruits you prefer. This adds texture, flavor, and vibrant colors to your dessert.
Notes
- Soaking wheat overnight significantly reduces cooking time and improves the pudding’s texture.
- Adjust sweetness by using sugar or condensed milk according to your preference.
- Use cold milk to make the cornstarch slurry to avoid lumps in the pudding.
- Chilling the pudding helps it set and enhances the creaminess.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on seasonal fruits or personal taste.
- Prep Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Ashura pudding, wheat pudding, creamy dessert, Middle Eastern dessert, festive pudding, cornstarch pudding, traditional Ashura
