Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) Flag Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)

Aseeda

Aseeda is a boiled wheat dish similar to thickened porridge. It can be served with a savory meat broth or as a sweet dessert with date syrup, honey, and butter. Aseeda was mentioned in 13th century Hispano-Muslim cookbook, but instead of today's flour and ghee, lightly grilled barley and argan seed oil were its main ingredients. Aseeda is a special occasion dish that is served to honor Eid or to celebrate the birth of a child. It is also often given to women undergoing labor. 

Recipe Servings: 4

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
45 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (720 ml) water
  • 6 Tbsp (90 ml) ghee
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) salt
  • 1¼ cups (300 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp (30 ml) date syrup
  • 2 Tbsp (30 ml) honey

Directions

  1. Bring to a boil 2 cups (480 ml) of water, salt, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of ghee. Sift the flour into the liquid. Beat it with a wooden spoon into a smooth dough. Add the remaining water. Bring it to a boil. Then lower heat and simmer on medium-low for 15 minutes. Stir with wooden spoon for a smooth, sticky dough. Place 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of melted ghee on a large serving dish. Place the dough on the dish and shape it into a ring with a hole in the middle, working from bottom to top. Drizzle the remaining ghee over it and into the hole. Spoon date syrup and honey around the ring.