Harissa ( Arabic Semolina Cake)

Harissa

Ingredients

Cake

• 3 cups semolina
• 3/4 cup unsweetened butter, melted                                            
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup whole blanched almond or ground pistachio nut (to garnish)

Syrup

• 4 cups sugar
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 small lemon, juice of (or equivalent citric acid)

Directions

1. Mix the semolina, the sugar and the butter in a large bowl. Use your hands to corporate the butter with the other ingredients until mixed well.
2. Mix the yogurt and the baking soda in a separate bowl.
3. Wait a few minutes until the yogurt doubles in size.
4. When the yogurt has doubled (or almost)pour the yogurt mix on top of the semolina mix.
5. Use your hands again to mix.
6. After you combined the two mixes, press the mix down on a small jellyroll pan or a 9x13 pyrex baking dish.
7. (The cake mix should not be more then 1 inch thick. If it is bake the cake in a bigger pan or take out the extra and bake it in a separte pan.).
8. Cut a diamond or square design in the cake witha butter knife.
9. If using almond place one in each piece.
10. Bake at 400 degrees for 30min to 45 mins until its a bronze brown color.
11. Pour cold syrup on top while its hot so it can absorb all through.
12. If using ground pistashios sprinkle a little on top of each square.
13. FOR THE SYRUP:.
14. Mix all the ingredients for the syrup and place in saucepan on high until it boils. If using citric acid use only the the tip of a teaspoon.
15. Then reduce the heat to medium for 45 min to 1 hour until it coats a metal spoon.