{"id":"recipe_ff7317ca1a","slug":"basbousa-egyptian-b8fb751d","title":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup","description":"A traditional Middle Eastern and North African semolina cake, soaked in a fragrant simple syrup and topped with almonds. It is moist, dense, and perfectly sweet.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":55,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups semolina","name":"Semolina","quantity":340,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"coarse","notes":"","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1/2 cup granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 cup desiccated coconut","name":"Desiccated Coconut","quantity":45,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"desiccated","notes":"Unsweetened","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":115,"unit":"g","usQuantity":4.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 cup plain yogurt","name":"Yogurt","quantity":245,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"plain","notes":"Full fat preferred","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp baking powder","name":"Baking Powder","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"12 whole almonds","name":"Almonds","quantity":12,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":12,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"blanched","group":"Garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 cup sugar (for syrup)","name":"Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"For the syrup","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 cup water","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 tbsp lemon juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"juice","notes":"freshly squeezed","group":"Syrup","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Combine 1 cup sugar, water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside to cool completely.","group":"Syrup Preparation","title":"Combine 1 cup sugar, water, and lemon juice","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Syrup Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large bowl, mix the semolina, 1/2 cup sugar, desiccated coconut, and baking powder.","group":"Cake Batter","title":"Mix the semolina, 1/2 cup sugar, desiccated coconut, and baking powder","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cake Batter"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the melted butter and yogurt to the dry ingredients. Stir well until the mixture is uniform and thick.","group":"Cake Batter","title":"Add the melted butter and yogurt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cake Batter"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Press the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Use a knife to score the surface into diamond or square shapes. Place one almond in the center of each shape.","group":"Baking","title":"Press the mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":35,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Remove the cake from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup over the hot cake. Let it sit for at least 1 hour to absorb all the syrup before serving.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove the cake from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Always pour cold syrup over the hot cake (or hot syrup over a cooled cake) to ensure it absorbs properly without becoming mushy.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Egyptian","North African"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["9x13 inch baking pan","mixing bowl","small saucepan","knife"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":12,"unit":"slice","note":"Standard rectangular baking dish"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The syrup can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for longer shelf life.","reheatingNotes":"Best served at room temperature."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ff7317ca1a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f949f5dc-d4a5-4104-96cc-149b15f42f44","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["semolina","sweet","cake","traditional","middle eastern","dessert"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Basbousa","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:32:58.068Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:32:58.068Z","related":[{"id":"bofrot_60aa63f14d","slug":"bofrot","title":"Bofrot","description":"A classic West African deep-fried dough snack, particularly popular in Ghana, known for its golden-brown exterior and soft, spongy interior.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbofrot_60aa63f14d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dc35737d-86e3-4bfe-8e36-ea51c85bda98","imageAlt":"Bofrot — recipe cover","tags":["west african","street food","fried dough","spongy","sweet snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":7},{"id":"bouye_f6c3b55cf7","slug":"bouye-baobab-fruit-drink","title":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink)","description":"A thick, creamy, and tangy traditional West African drink made from the nutrient-dense fruit of the baobab tree.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Senegalese"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbouye_f6c3b55cf7%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e6898e06-d939-4b3d-8e31-692c9553c209","imageAlt":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink) — recipe cover","tags":["baobab","african drink","senegalese","creamy","vitamin c","exotic juice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_54a7e70f8e","slug":"chebakia-moroccan-sesame-cookies","title":"Chebakia (Moroccan Sesame Cookies)","description":"A classic Moroccan festive treat, Chebakia is a flower-shaped sesame cookie deep-fried until golden and then submerged in hot honey infused with orange flower water. These aromatic, crunchy, and honey-soaked delights are traditionally served during Ramadan.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":90,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":120,"activeMinutes":120},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Moroccan"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"hard","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_54a7e70f8e%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8df6a30f-e031-47f4-86f3-296a5aa3bfbd","imageAlt":"Chebakia (Moroccan Sesame Cookies) — recipe cover","tags":["ramadan","honey","sesame","moroccan","pastry","fried"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":13,"stepCount":6}]}