Middle Eastern Coconut Cake Harissah Food

MIDDLE EASTERN COCONUT CAKE (HARISSAH)

Steps:

• First make syrup by boiling water and sugar for about 5 to 10 minutes depending on how heavy you may want it but it shouldn't be any thicker than pancake syrup in consistency.
• *You may also add a tsp of rose water or orange blossom to it to give more of a traditional middle eastern dessert taste (I personally can do without it so that's why my recipe doesn't call for it under the ingredients).
• When done with that process set syrup aside to cool.
• Start on the Harissa by combining sugar,eggs,oil,milk,vanilla,lemon juice and mix them together until blended.
• Then add flour and baking powder to mixture and blend well.
• Lastly you want to STIR coconut into batter.
• Then its time to add to greased and floured pan (never a bundt pan)-- an oblong pan will do.
• Bake for about 30 minutes at 350°F or more until a light/medium golden brown.
• When cake is done and still hot pour syrup all over cake in pan.
• You don't have to use all the syrup but at least 3/4 should be used on the cake.
• Let cool, then cut in slanted squares.
• Then remove each piece onto a tray.
• You can garnish with a little shredded coconut on top for presentation.

COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven at 180°C.
• Beat eggwhites and sugar until stiff.
• Fold in coconut and nuts.
• Bake in round 26cm tray for 25 minutes.
• Melt chocolate in bain marie and cover the cake with chocolate.
• Decorate with walnut-halfes.
• Serve with whipped cream.

COCONUT WET CAKE (BOLO MOLHADO)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°f.
• Mix all cake ingredients but egg whites in large bowl.
• Beat egg whites until thick and fluffy. Fold into batter.
• Spread into greased 9"x13" baking pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Boil the milk, sugar, and margarine for the filling and pour on baked cake. You can poke holes in the cake with a toothpick first if you want.
• For the topping, Mix the 2 cups milk and 1 tablespoon cornstarch together and pour into kettle. Add sweetened condensed milk, cream, and egg yolk. Cook until thick. Spread over cake.
• Sprinkle coconut flakes over cake and chill for at least one hour before serving.
• Enjoy!

HARISSEH (MIDDLE EASTERN SWEETS)

Steps:

• Stir together semolina, baking powder, 1/2 cup sugar, and chopped almonds until evenly blended. Stir in yogurt, vegetable oil, and rose water until a soft dough forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Press the dough into a 10-inch square baking dish, and smooth the top. Score the top of the dough to create 15 1-inch squares, then top each square with an almond half.
• Bake in preheated oven until the top has puffed and turned golden brown, about 20 minutes. The harisseh is done when the top is golden, and the center has firmed. When done, remove from the oven, and allow to cool in the pan for 20 minutes.
• While the harisseh is cooling, pour water and 2 cups of sugar into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of rose water and lemon juice, then remove from the heat.
• To serve, cut the warm harisseh into 15 squares, and place onto a large serving platter; pour the rose water syrup over, making sure all of the pieces are moist.