{"id":"recipe_df33fac33f","slug":"basbousa","title":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup","description":"A traditional Mediterranean semolina cake soaked in aromatic syrup, known for its moist, grainy texture and sweet floral notes.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":105,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g coarse semolina","name":"Semolina","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"cup","form":"coarse","notes":"","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"200g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"For the cake batter","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"150g unsalted butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"250g plain yogurt","name":"Yogurt","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"plain","notes":"Full fat preferred","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"50g shredded coconut","name":"Coconut","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"shredded","notes":"unsweetened desiccated","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"10g baking powder","name":"Baking Powder","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Cake Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"300g sugar for syrup","name":"Sugar","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"For the syrup","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"350ml water","name":"Water","quantity":350,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tablespoon lemon juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"fresh","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 tablespoon orange blossom water","name":"Orange Blossom Water","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"May substitute with rose water","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"12 whole almonds","name":"Almonds","quantity":12,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":12,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"blanched and peeled","group":"Garnish","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice for the syrup. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the orange blossom water, remove from heat, and let it cool completely.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with butter or tahini.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a large bowl, whisk together the semolina, sugar, shredded coconut, and baking powder until well combined.","group":"Batter","title":"Whisk together the semolina, sugar, shredded coconut, and baking powder","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Batter"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the melted butter and yogurt to the dry mixture. Stir with a spatula until a thick batter forms. Do not overmix.","group":"Batter","title":"Add the melted butter and yogurt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Batter"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Use a knife to score the batter into diamond or square shapes. Place one almond in the center of each shape.","group":"Assembly","title":"Spread the mixture evenly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":40,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Remove the cake from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup over the hot cake. Let the cake rest for at least 1 hour at room temperature to allow the syrup to be fully absorbed before serving.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove the cake from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Ensure the syrup is completely cool before pouring it over the hot cake to prevent it from becoming soggy. The use of coarse semolina is vital for the signature texture.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake","boil"],"equipment":["9x13 inch baking pan","small saucepan","large mixing bowl","whisk","spatula"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":12,"unit":"pieces","note":"Cut into diamond or square shapes"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The cake can be made a day in advance as the flavors develop and the texture improves over time."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for longer storage.","reheatingNotes":"Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_df33fac33f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4671c365-003f-4487-8802-e08193fc80e9","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["semolina","cake","syrup","middle eastern","sweet","floral"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Basbousa","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:08:53.275Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:08:53.275Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_7118ab4802","slug":"lemon-mint-juice-limonana","title":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana)","description":"A quintessential Mediterranean and Middle Eastern refresher, this vibrant drink perfectly balances tart lemons, cooling fresh mint, and a touch of sweetness.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Middle Eastern","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7118ab4802%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=abf73a52-7932-4dea-82b6-3486a9e6b6ea","imageAlt":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana) — recipe cover","tags":["refreshing","mint","lemonade","cold-drink","summer","citrus"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_05b3803820","slug":"yogurt-with-honey","title":"Yogurt with Honey","description":"A creamy and nutritious Mediterranean staple featuring thick Greek yogurt drizzled with golden honey and topped with crunchy walnuts.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_05b3803820%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d3ada203-2be2-41f4-b9ee-23856051fabb","imageAlt":"Yogurt with Honey — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","high protein","quick","mediterranean diet","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":3},{"id":"baklava_cd6929b9e5","slug":"classic-baklava","title":"Classic Baklava","description":"A rich, sweet dessert pastry made of layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with spiced chopped nuts and soaked in a fragrant honey syrup.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":50,"totalMinutes":80,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek","Turkish"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbaklava_cd6929b9e5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=2691ad31-0650-427b-84dc-646581067a41","imageAlt":"Classic Baklava — recipe cover","tags":["sweet","pastry","honey","nuts","middle eastern","mediterranean","flaky"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":8}]}