Ashura is a very special dessert in islamic world which is made to deliver people during the first month of islamic calendar; i.e. Muharrem. In islamic belief, ashura is the symbol of abundance, sharing, love, respect, thanksgiving, unity and solidarity.
Rumour has it that Nouh had made ashura with the last ingredients which remained unused right after the flood whenever he stepped on to land. This is why ashura is called Noah’s Ark Pudding or Noah’s Dessert.
It is believed that ashura dessert has healing properties since it is prepared with prayers. This is why it is offered to sick and the old firstly. Then the remaining dessert is distributed to remaining others.
How to Make Turkish Ashura Dessert: An Ancient Food Recipe
It can be regarded as a difficult to do dessert since it contains too many ingredients. But indeed it is pretty easy to make ashura. It is possible to shorten the cooking time by using pressure cooker. Here are the ingredients and step-by-step instructions for making ashura; Noah’s Ark Puding.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of soft wheat (washed)
- 1 cup of dry beans (soaked overnight)
- 1 cup of chickpeas (soaked overnight)
- 10 pieces of dried figs
- 15 pieces of dried apricots
- 1/3 cup of raisins
- 1/4 cup of roasted chopped hazelnuts
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of allspice
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 5 pieces of cloves
- 1 piecde of pomegranate
- 1/4 cup of diced orange peel
- Water (1 – 1,5 liters)
Instructions
1 – Put two cups of washed and drained soft wheat, 1 cup of dry beans (soaked overnight) and 1 cup of chickpeas (soaked overnight) into a pressure cooker. Add around 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil and cook until all the ingredients become soft.
2- While the main ingredients are cooking, the other ingredients are prepared. For that 15 piece of dried figs and 10 pieces of dried apricots are diced and set aside.
3- Then peel the pomegranate and set aside to be used for garnish at the very end.
4- When the main ingredients are cooked, open the lid of pressure cooker safely after the pressure is gone. It is time to add the remaining ingredients.
5- Add 1 cup of granulated sugar, diced dried figs and dried apricots, salt, 5 cloves, 1 teaspoon of allspice, 1/3 cup of raisins, 3 tablespoons of diced orange peel, 1/2 of cinnamon (the remaining cinnamon will be used for garnish). Add around half a liter of water and again bring to a boil.
6- Cook over low flame for around 15 to 20 more minutes. Then our ashura dessert is ready to be cooled. Wait until the pressure is gone out of the pressure cooker. Carefully open the lid and transfer the ashura to a big bowl to cook.
7- Whenever it cools down, transfer it to service bowls. Garnish with roasted chopped hazelnut pieces, cinnamon and pomegranate seeds.
8- Your ancient ashura dessert is ready to serve. Enjoy 🙂
