Lebanese Nights

Name: Lebanese Nights
Prep time: 33 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 213 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Levantine
Ingredients: 4 cups milk; 1/2 cup fine semolina; 1/3 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon orange blossom water; 2 cups cream; 1/2 cup ground pistachios; 1 cup cold syrup

Layers of semolina with milk, cream, and syrup flavored with orange blossom water, cold and topped with pistachios.

Vegetarian

Cooking time: 3 hr 33 min
Hands-on time: 33 min
Free time: 3 hr
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Levantine
Calories: 570
Contains: Nuts, Gluten, Dairy

Its name alone is half the temptation: Layali Lubnan — semolina and milk chilled under a blanket of cream, topped with orange blossom syrup and pistachios. A cold tray dessert made the night before, so it greets the guests ready and confident.

Before you start

Before you beginRead the steps completely, measure the ingredients, and prepare the tools before turning on the fire or oven.
Heat and restingPrepare the ingredients precisely and allow the dessert time to cool or set before cutting.

Ingredients

8people

Amounts follow the number of people

For the first layer

4 cups milk — Full-fat and refrigerated until ready to use
1/2 cup fine semolina — Sifted, then spooned lightly into the cup
1/3 cup sugar — fine white
1 tablespoon orange blossom water — Add gradually until the texture is right

For the topping

2 cups cream — Or whipped cream
1/2 cup ground pistachios — gently toasted
1 cup cold syrup — For serving

When doubling the quantity, use two molds of the same size instead of one deep mold, and maintain an even thickness for cooking.

Equipment

Heavy-based pot — Semolina in milk needs constant stirring as it thickens.
Glass dish — Poured in and cooled to room temperature before the cream layer.

Method

Place the milk and sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.
5 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
You don't feel the sugar granules on the bottom.
Add the semolina gradually while stirring continuously.
3 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
No lumps appear, and the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
Tip: Sprinkle the semolina in a thin stream, do not pour it all at once.
Continue stirring over low heat until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pot.
10 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
It holds behind the spoon, and the bottom of the pot shows for a moment when stirred.
Tip: This is where the texture is decided: take it off too early and it stays runny.
Add the orange blossom water, pour it into a tray, and smooth the surface.
5 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The surface is flat and smooth with no gaps.
Cool it until it is completely firm.
3 hrYou can walk away
You’ll know it’s ready when
The knife goes into it and comes out clean, and the surface does not stick to the finger.
Spread the cream on top, drizzle with syrup and pistachios, and cut into squares before serving.
10 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The entire piece, with its three layers, separates without collapsing.
Tip: Dip the knife in hot water between cuts for clean edges.