Semolina and Coconut Harissa (Basbousa)

Ingredients

• 2 cups coarse semolina
• 1 cup yogurt (labneh or plain)
• 1/4 cup ghee (at room temperature)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup desiccated (shredded) coconut
• Syrup (qatir or sheera) to pour over the harissa
• For more sweets from Kholoud, this time Turkish, click on Turkish Cracked Ka'ak

Method

1. Place all the ingredients together and mix well until combined.
2. Grease the baking pan with tahini, then pour the semolina and coconut mixture into it.
3. Cut into pieces as desired and let it rest for about one hour.
4. Bake in the oven at 180°C (about 350°F) for around 45 minutes.
   Timers: 45 min
5. Brown the top, then remove from the oven and pour cold syrup over it while it is still hot.
6. Serve the harissa once it has cooled.