Basbousa / Revani
I have a lot on my mind right now. With my plate already full, I have tried to keep myself busier than usual, just so I do not worry too much. I turn to baking at such times and this time I am baking a bit more often than I usually do, even at the oddest hour. As most of you already know, I love baking a lot and that’s my therapy. Well, it’s a week since I baked this recipe and it disappeared in no time, but it’s only now that I could get myself together and gather my thoughts to pen it down. I tried something new and extremely simple this time. It’s been on my mind since my Turkey trip way back in 2008 and again in 2012. That’s where I first tried this moist Middle Eastern cake called Basbousa. It is also called Turkish Revani. It’s a simple cake using semolina and soaked in sugar syrup. The traditional recipe calls for yogurt, since I ran out of it – I tried a different method using condensed milk. It tasted absolutely delicious and pretty much like what I tried in Turkey.
I am dedicating this recipe to my dad who is so fond of sweets and my baked goodies. Unfortunately he has been battling ill health for quite some time now and suddenly it just went from bad to worse last weekend.
I am at absolute war with my emotions right now. I have never in the past 8 years felt so scathed about the distance from homeland. I have nothing less than a perfect life set here with a beautiful family but there are times when I feel something is amiss. My dad very proudly says that I am the glue that holds everything together in our family. Being away from India has only heightened my emotional attachment to my family back there. I know exactly what it is now!
I have felt desperate, annoyed with the distance and disappointed with myself for not being a part of my parent’s life when they need me the most. They have been my pillar of support throughout. But I failed, when they need me the most. I feel like a terrible daughter. 🙁
Though he is allowed sweets only in moderation – I wish you well and a speedy recovery, so you can enjoy these again!
‘‘Dad, your health and happiness mean the world to me. I pray that you recover soon and are on your feet again. Hang in there and keep in mind I am right beside you.
So for now Rest, Relax and Recover.. You are surrounded by caring thoughts and warm wishes. I shall be with you really soon!
I hope I’m not letting you down.’’
Thank you Maa and Didi for you are so strong and graciously handle every difficult situation.
Back to the recipe and my readers, I have been contemplating whether I should be penning down such personal feelings but I just had to vent it out. And I shall be honest, I do feel better. You are a part of my life and journey here and I think it is only fair that you know a little more about me. Well, having said that I do not intend to dampen your spirits. The recipe is worth trying and an absolute winner. It is an excellent tea party cake. You cannot go wrong with this. 🙂 Try it and am sure you will love it!
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup or 200 g butter, melted
1 tin or 397 g sweetened Condensed Milk
1½ teaspoons baking powder
2 cups or 320 g semolina
1 cup or 100 g ground almonds
1 cup or 250 ml water
For the syrup:
1.5 cups or 340 g sugar
1½ cups or 375 ml water
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp rose water
Blanched whole almonds for garnish
METHOD:
- Preheat oven at 180°C.
- Grease a 28cm x 24cm baking tin and set aside. Make sure the sides of the pan are high.
- Combine butter, condensed Milk and mix well.
- Add semolina, ground almond, baking powder and water and stir until well combined.
- Pour and level mixture into the greased pan. Bake at 180°C for approximately 35 minutes or until top is golden.
- Meanwhile prepare the syrup. Add sugar and water to a saucepan. Bring to boil and simmer for 6-8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and rosewater.
- Once the cake is ready, remove from oven and pour all over the cooled syrup.
- Refrigerate to cool completely and cut into diamond shape.
- Garnish with whole almonds on each diamond.
- Serve and Enjoy!
I like this a little warm with some coffee but it is fantastic cold as well 🙂
I am sharing this with Angie@FiestaFriday and co-hosts this week are Kaila @ GF Life 24/7 and Laurena @ Life Diet Health.
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Love & Hugs,
Trupti
I love basbousa and it is in my to-do list. Your cake looks yummy and I love the golden colour! Prayers to your daddy for a speedy recovery.
thank you so much Gloria! 🙂 Let me know when you do try it!
Hope your dad gets well soon. My good wishes are with you. And don’t feel bad about being far away my dear. I can fully understand your situation since I’m in the same boat as you are in. At times, I feel so bad being far away from my parents. But the fact that you love them so much is much more important. As far as this recipe, it looks beautiful and sounds easy. Saving it for the future 🙂
I am with you on this dear! hugs to you too… thank you so much !
It’s look yummy😋😋
Love the pics and wish ur dad a quick recovery!
thank you so much for the compliment and your good wishes.
Looks SO good!
thank you Archana 🙂
It looks so so good, quite fluffy! Wish speedy recovery to your Dad…i am fond of sweets too 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
Oh Trupti, I feel so sad for you. I truly hope your dad has a full recovery and soon. My prayers are with you and your family. Hugs always x
Lynne, thank you so much! Hugs to you.. 🙂
This recipe looks gorgeous. I am sorry to hear about your dad. I can understand how you feel. My dad got very ill when I was living far away too. I felt so bad. I wanted to be there and no matter what I felt like i was letting him dow. That I was being selfish. You are not a terrible daughter. You are making them proud of you.They know how much you love them. You are all in my prayers. xxx
Dear Natascha.. I feel for you dear..
and know how exactly how you feel.. and i also know that yes yours and mine parents are definaitely proud of us.. thank you for your kind words
Love!
Thank you and take care. All the best to you and your family ❤❤❤
Amazing recipe and looks so good! Will definitely give a try!
My best wishes to your dad for a speedy recovery. Don’t worry…he will be just fine. Our prayers are with him. I know he is proud of you for being a good daughter that you are. Just keep up the good work and keep your spirits high. Positivity and good thoughts will make good things happen to you 🙂
Thank you sooo very much.. ! I feel so much better now and dad is better too. Hugs to you!
Glad to hear that! I wish you guys all the happiness and good health! <3<3<3
Wish you well too dear! thank you
Trupti, my gurl… Don’t worry.. Your dad will be fit and fine soon… It has been more than 10 years since I am staying away from my family.. first due to studies and then marriage… We girls are really strong and our parents are more stronger than us as they let their little girls go out in the open world all alone… Your dad must be really proud of you and he knows that no matter how far you are… you are with him.. Do let me know if I can be of any help…Doctors at Delhi / Gurgaon are also good if you want to have their opinions as well… Lots of love and strength to you sweets! Keep baking!
Hey Kriti, thank you darling.. you are right we are much stronger and parents even more! they trust and believe in us. I shall visit him in July. looking forward to that.
He is undergoing dialysis every alternate day now.. Hoping he regains strength again.. hugs to you!
Take care!! 🙂
Why is it always that I am thinking of a dish and you have already made it. it makes my life so much easier 🙂 I tried your murg rezala and it was simply superb. Everyone loved it. I have been planning to make basbousa as ramadan is round the corner. i will bookmark your recipe. Thanks for sharing Trupti 🙂
Awww.. 🙂 all for you babes! I’m glad you loved the Rezala.. ! and I am sure you will enjoy the cake too.. Good wishes for Ramadan.. 🙂
Thank you Trupti ☺ 😘This dish is going in my Ramadan list.
🙂 yeahhh
You’re not letting your dad down. I promise you he doesn’t think that way. I’m sure he’s very proud of you and all you’ve accomplished. Hold on. Things get better. Thank you for sharing this lovely cake with us 🙂
Oh thank you so much Jess! glad you like the cake too…
I am so sorry to hear your father is ill. Prayers for his health and his recovery. You surely are not a disappointment to your parents! Distance does not imply disappointment or letting people down, establishing a life of our own and growing doesn’t mean we love our family less! Your love and deep commitment to your parents and concern for their wellbeing shows just how caring you are. Chin up!
thank you for your kind words and good wishes! I feel so much better – yes i have my head high up and positive – helping my dad get through this difficult time. Hugs to you!
Reblogged this on MAXIMUSOPTIMUSDOMINUS.
thank you so much Joe! hope you are well..
So gentle you are 😉
I am thanks lovely T!!!
xxx
🙂
Wish your father will get healthy again Trupti. Your cake looks so very delicious.
Thank you dear Irene! 🙂
Sending my best wishes to your father on a speedy recovery! I’m sure he’s enjoy a bit of this treat once he’s feeling better because it’s absolutely stunning. Not only is the presentation immaculate, but it sounds like the perfect flavors for a tea party. Thanks for sharing with all of us at FF! I hope this next week is a bit more relaxing.
Thank you so much Kaila.. both for compliment and your good wishes.. It will definitely help us for sure. Happy FF to you too.
I hope your dad will get better soon. Hang in there, Trupti. Lots of love to you! And I love this cake; sounds really yummy!
Thank you Angie! love to you too.. Happy FF to you..
Looks great sweetie 🙂 Don’t be so hard on yourself, I’m sure your parents know how much you love them. Wishing your dad a speedy recovery 🙂
Thank you Freda! the distance is hard.. but i will visit him soon in July…
🙂
I hope your dad gets well soon. As a person who has lost both of her parents, I know how you must be feeling right now. Being far away and not being able to physically do anything to help can be emotionally draining. Stay strong girl, everything will be alright.
I have heard so much about basbousa and now You just provided me with a recipe to try this out. Perfect!
I made these long ago but lost the recipe and didn’t know the name, so I will bookmark this as a replacement. Looks fabulous!
Looks delicious. …
Thank you Chitra 🙂
Looks so yummy!! 🙂
I’m so sorry you are going through such a hard time, prayers and hugs!
Thanks a ton Lynn! really do need it..
Xxxxx
Oh Trupti, best wishes to your dad. I hope he recovers soon. I’m very lucky to live close to my family, but I can imagine how agonizing it must feel to be far away when someone you love is in poor health. It’s not always possible to be right there with them, but, just as you have, we can send our love and best wishes and dreams of sweet cakes. This cake sounds so moist and fragrant: lovely!
Thank you T for your encouraging words. Glad you liked the cake too ☺️
Delicious! I hope your dad feels better soon – I also live away from my homeland and it is only during these worrying times that we long for it x
thank you so much! So true..
I am discovering basbousa thanks to you. It seems delicious!
Try not to be too harsh on yourself with your parents… even if it makes you cook and bake at the oddest hours (these are probably the best hours for inspiration) 😉
thank you so much for your kind words.. 🙂 true its definitely inspiring… thanks for stopping by here 🙂
Hi Trips! The dish looks amazing.
Am so sad to know about uncle – hope he gets well soon. You can’t blame yourself for not being around girl! Each one of us has responsibilities as an adult. It’s good he has your mom and sis looking after him. Our parents always know how much we love them and the great part about being family is that they understand and don’t judge.
Thanks Vibha.. 🙂 you always have the right words to say.. 🙂 HUgs!
This looks sooo delicious!!! Great recipe 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂
Looking so good – Thanks for sharing.
I am now following your blog and would like to know if you may be interested to be a Guest poster with us, and share some of your awesome recipes on our blog?
Have a look at:
https://cookandenjoyrecipes.wordpress.com/2016/09/09/update-fellow-bloggers-sharing-is-caring-recipe-exchange/ and leave me a note in the comments of this post, with a link to your recipe, if you’re interested. That will be just fantastic. Hope to hear from you soon 😊
Thank you so much… 🙂 appreciate it! Ill get back soon- I am facing time crunch to write these days bur I shall remember you 🙂
This particular program closed but a new exchange will be released on Nov 9.
I added one teaspoon of pistachio chopped ,1 short cinnamon stick and two drops of vanilla essence along with 1 tin condensed milk to add its taste. I need to say that it’s one of the tastiest dishes which I have tried till now. I tried kiwi cake for the first time, and my son loved it, we liked your red velvet cake recipe too. I shared this website with my colleague Kately, who just enjoy trying out desserts recipe. She suggested to me a website with varieties of dessert recipes which look delicious. I am sharing the link for those who love to make Arabic dessert recipes.
http://www.nestle-family.com/recipes/english/arabic-desserts-recipes.aspx
Thank you so much for your lovely comments and sharing my recipes with your friends. Very much appreciated. Keep cooking!
A lovely dessert and a great presentation! Thanks for taking part in the challenge!! Love the colour on it!
Hope your dad is feeling better…You are a lovely daughter to them…Don’t be hard on yourself..
Thank you so much 🙂
I never had basbousa before. It definitely sounds like a wonderful sweet treat!
Thanks a ton Kathy! Travelling opens up a lot of food options and cultures.. that’s how I got introduced to this 🙂 glad you like it
wow this is a beautiful and delightful dessert. Indian cuisine is just so amazing I really want to learn more about it and you are helping me discovering so many good recipes.
Hey Adriana 🙂so glad you liked it… ! This dessert however is a very popular Turkish dessert. If you love indiAn cuisine I do have some recipes on my blog – click under Indian cuisine and do try some 😘
I’m so sorry your dad is not well and that you are going through such a difficult time so far from home. Stress baking is always a help to me and I hope you found some comfort in this lovely basbousa.
I definitely did Rachelle 😊 thanks so much!
First….I hope your dad has a speedy recovery. Worrying about him is stressful for sure. This cake is something I have never heard of … or tried. Sounds amazing and totally delicious.
He is better because of his strong will power. Thanks! The cake is really good and moist.. do try it sometime
This cake looks so moist and delicious…I would love to give this a try. Beautiful dessert for the upcoming holidays!
Absolutely Catherine – this one is a keeper
Baking for myself, is an excellent stress reliever. These sound so delicious. I love condensed milk, so I know that these must be tasty.
Absolutely 🙂 you are just like me Joanna! These are super – do try them
Baking can be such therapy. This cake looks lovely. I like moist cakes, so this is just what I’d pick. Best wishes to your family.
It is absolutely a therapy 🙂 Glad you liked the recipe Noel. Thanks so much.
So sorry to hear about your dad. Hope he feels better soon. I too live far away from my family back in India. No matter how perfect a life you live outside there is a part of you that will always stay back there..! I feel the same. I miss home…. often my husband says. but you are home..and it’s hard to explain..!! I hope you feel better soon. Bug hugs
I totally understand you Veena. Hugs back to you too. A part of us will always stay close to our roots 😊
I never tried this dessert before but definitely would love to!
Sure Veronica – give it a shot. you will love them for sure.
This looks delicious and honestly first time hearing about this. Hope your dad will get well soon! Even I like to bake 🙂
Thank you for your good wishes Uma! He is trying hard to stay strong. Baking is so much fun ya 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s illness…wishing him a speedy and full recovery! I’ve never heard of Basbousa, but it looks so delicious! And is full of sweet yumminess. Would love to try this
Thank you so much for your lovely wishes. Do try it 🙂 it’s easy and delicious Karyl.
I had this once at a Lebanese restaurant. It was so delicious! Also, wishing your dad a speedy recovery!
It’s so good isn’t it! But they are too sweeet – I like it that when homemade the sugar can be controlled. Thanks for your wishes.
Such a beautiful looking cake.. love basbousa and love the homemade version there you know what and how much ingredients you are adding!
Absolutely true 😊
I like your version with condensed milk. I haven’t tried one with condensed milk. Basbousa is my favorite and always buy from the middle Eastern store here.
Glad you like it Swathi 🙂 now you can make your own