ASURE ( SWEET CEREAL- LEGUME PUDDING )

Hi all, this pudding is one of the most traditional and oldest of deserts in Turkey. It is made during the religious month of 'Kurban Bayrami.' About 10-15 ingredients go into this desert and the more ingredients we have, is the better.

Every household makes this pudding in large amounts and then distributed amongst neighbours and relatives. It is served when family and friends visit during bayram to celebrate the holy month.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup dovme ( wurled wheat )
• 1/3 cup small white dried beans
• 1/3 cup chick peas
• 4 tbsp rice
• 1/2 cup seedless raisins
• 1 small orange peel, chopped finely
• 1 small lemon peel, chopped finely
• water
• 5 dried figs, chopped into small pieces
• 6-7 dried apricots, chopped finely
• 1 packet of vanilla or 2 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp rose water
• cinnamon
• desiccated coconut
• walnuts
• hazelnuts
• pistachios
• pomegranate seeds.

First soak dovme, white beans and chick peas separately in plenty of water ,overnight. Wash them several times and boil them to cook separately. Then transfer all 3, into a large sauce pan. Add the rice, orange and lemon peel. Add water to the top, to cover the ingredients and bring it to boil. Turn the heat to medium, stir  it well and  simmer for 30 minutes. Add sugar and washed raisins  mixing thoroughly. Simmer for further 10 minutes. Add washed and chopped figs, apricots, vanilla  and boil for another 5-7 minutes. Rewove from heat and add rose water. Pour the pudding into individual desert bowls while it is hot. Then cool it. Sprinkle with cinnamon, then decorate and garnish with coconut, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios and pomegranate seeds just before serving. Serves 10.

AMARETTO AND BERRY SUMMER DESERT

YOU NEED

• 100 g frozen mixed berries
• 1 tbsp amaretto or sweet Sherry
• 1 tbsp runny honey or maple syrup
• 8 amaretto biscuits or 4 ginger snaps
• 6 tbsp ready made custard
• 6 tbsp natural yogurt
• 2 tbsp flaked almonds, roasted

METHOD

First dry roast the almonds in a non stick frying pan for couple of minutes, stirring to prevent them burning. Set aside and let them cool. Divide above ingredients to 2 serving glasses.

Blend the fruit in a food processor with amaretto and honey. Crumble the biscuits and place them into the serving glass. Pour the custard over the biscuits and set aside. Mix the berries until they are soft and runny. Add a little yogurt if you need to, blending until smooth. Pour the berry mixture over the custard then layer it with natural yogurt. Sprinkle with roasted almonds. Serve it with ginger snaps or amaretto biscuits. Serves 2.