Creamy Ashura Wheat Pudding With Festive Toppings
Ashura, also known as Aşure, is a traditional Egyptian wheat pudding dessert named after the 10th day of Muharram in the Hijri calendar. This wholesome and comforting dessert features peeled wheat cooked with milk and sweetened with sugar or condensed milk. It’s thickened with cornstarch and served chilled, garnished with a colorful assortment of shredded coconut, raisins, pomegranate seeds, nuts, and dried fruits like dates and apricots for a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
- Prep Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Total Time: 13 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Egyptian
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
For Serving and Garnishing
- 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 cooking time.
- 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 cooked through.
- Add Milk and Sweetener: Pour in the 1.5 liters of milk and add sugar or condensed milk as per your preference. Stir well to combine and gently cook the mixture for another 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Thicken with Cornstarch: In a small bowl, mix the 5 tablespoons of cornstarch with a small amount of cold milk until smooth, then gradually add this slurry to the pot while stirring continuously. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes until the pudding thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Plate and Chill: Spoon the thickened Ashura pudding into small serving bowls or plates. Let it cool at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator to chill thoroughly.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish each portion with a sprinkle of cinnamon, shredded coconut, raisins, chopped nuts, pomegranate seeds, and any dried fruits you enjoy to add texture and vibrant colors.
Notes
- Soaking the wheat overnight helps soften it and reduces cooking time.
- You can adjust the sugar amount or use condensed milk for a richer sweetness.
- Adding dried fruits and chopped nuts during cooking imparts deeper flavor; garnishing them fresh on top adds texture contrast.
- This dessert is best served chilled after refrigeration.
- For a vegan variation, substitute cow’s milk with plant-based milk such as almond or oat milk, keeping in mind the change in flavor and texture.