Apricot Pudding (Muhallabia Qamar al-Din) – How to Prepare Apricot Pudding

Apricot Pudding (Muhallabia Qamar al-Din) – How to Prepare Apricot Pudding

Apricot pudding, also known as Muhallabia Qamar al-Din, is a delightful dessert with rich nutritional value. It's easy to prepare and takes no more than 60 minutes to cook and assemble. In this article, we'll share the ingredients for four people along with the preparation method, hoping you enjoy this special type of pudding.

Ingredients for Apricot Pudding:

 

For the Muhallabia:

• 1 liter of liquid milk.
• 1/2 cup of white sugar.
• 4 tablespoons of cornstarch.
• 1 teaspoon of rose water.
• 1 teaspoon of orange blossom water.

For the Qamar al-Din layer:

• 400 grams of dried apricot sheets (Qamar al-Din).
• Water (as needed).
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch dissolved in a little water.

For garnish:

• Crushed pistachios (as desired).

Steps to Prepare Apricot Pudding:

Preparing the Qamar al-Din layer:

1. Soak the apricot sheets: Cut the Qamar al-Din into thin slices and soak them in lukewarm water for an entire day to soften them.
2. Blend: After soaking, blend the apricot slices in a blender until you get a smooth apricot juice.
3. Cook the mixture: Pour the apricot juice into a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cornstarch mixture (cornstarch dissolved in water) and stir continuously until the mixture thickens.
4. Prepare the serving cups: Pour three-quarters of the apricot mixture into serving cups, filling less than a quarter of each cup. Set aside the remaining mixture.

Preparing the Muhallabia:

1. Dissolve the cornstarch: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with half a cup of milk and stir until fully dissolved.
2. Heat the milk and sugar: In a separate saucepan, heat the remaining milk and sugar over medium heat until it comes to a boil.
3. Thicken the mixture: Slowly add the cornstarch mixture to the boiling milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
4. Add flavorings: Stir in the rose water and orange blossom water, then remove from the heat.

Assembling the pudding:

1. Layer the Muhallabia: Pour the prepared Muhallabia mixture over the apricot layer in the serving cups, leaving a small space at the top of each cup.
2. Top with apricot mixture: Pour the remaining Qamar al-Din mixture on top of the Muhallabia in each cup.

Chill and garnish:

1. Chill: Place the cups in the refrigerator and allow the pudding to set for at least a couple of hours.
2. Garnish: Once set, remove the cups from the fridge and garnish the tops with crushed pistachios.

Your Apricot Pudding (Muhallabia Qamar al-Din) is now ready to be served! Enjoy this refreshing dessert with family or guests. Bon appétit!