Aşure

Noah’s Pudding 

• 3 c. Whole-grain Wheat or Barley
• 4 ¼ c. Boiling Water
• 2 c. Navy or Kidney Beans*
• 2 c. Chickpeas*
• 1 ½ c. Dried Apricot Pieces
• 1 ½ c. Dried Fig Pieces
• ½ c. Rice
• 2 c. Warm Water
• 10-15 Whole Cloves
• 1 c. Golden Raisins
• 1 c. Dried Currents
• 1 zest of Lemon Peel (optional)
• 1 zest of Orange Peel (optional)
• 1 T. Rose Water (optional)
• 1 T. Corn Starch
• 5 c. Sugar
• Walnuts, Hazelnuts or Pine Nuts for garnish (optional)
• Pomegranate Seeds for garnish (optional)
• Shredded Coconut for garnish (optional)

* Traditional Turkish way is to use dried beans and dried chickpeas which is a very long cooking method. Feel free to use canned beans and chickpeas (drained) to speed up the process. I will write out the quick method in the directions. If using dried beans and chickpeas, after a night of soaking, boil until no longer hard, but still rather firm. (I suggest boiling them each separately as cooking times vary.) Once boiled, drain off the cooking water and follow recipe as written below.

1. Begin the night before by soaking the Wheat or Barley in a pot. Pour 4 ¼ cups Boiling Water over top. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then turn off and let sit all night.
2. The Wheat or Barley should have soaked up most of the water by the following morning.
3. Stir in drained Beans, Chickpeas, Dried Fruit Pieces, and Rice. Cover with Warm Water. Cook until Fruit is just beginning to soften.
4. Add Cloves, Raisins and Currents. Continue cooking 5 minutes.
5. Stir in your choice of flavoring: either Lemon and Orange Zest or Rose Water.
6. In a small bowl, dissolve Corn Starch with a little Milk. Stir into the pot of pudding.
7. Add the Sugar, stirring to mix while the heat helps it melt and blend in well.
8. Remove the pot from heat and allow to cool before serving in individual bowls.
9. Garnish each bowl with chopped Nuts, Pomegranate seeds and/or shredded Coconut.
10. Either serve at room temperature or refrigerate until needed.

Note: for more information on this interesting and historical dessert check out the story: Aşure Noah’s Pudding