Aşure (aah-shoor-EY’) is a very traditional Turkish dessert. Noah’s Ark Pudding or “Aşure” is basically a mixture of dried fruits, legumes, fruit juices and sugar. Turkish Aşure recipe contains generally apricots, raisins, walnuts, peas, chickpeas, figs and cloves. There is never “one” recipe. Every family cooks Turkish aşure in a different way but the basic principle is to add whatever you like.
Story of Turkish Aşure Recipe – Noah’s Ark Pudding Recipe
Turkish aşure is well known for it’s story. Legend says that after Noah spent weeks in the ark, there was little food left so he decided to mix all to cook something to feed the passengers. The pudding he made was so delicious that it kept them full until the ark finally arrived Mount Ararat in Turkey. It is said that “aşure” is the oldest dessert in the world.
Aşure pudding is associated with Ashura tradition. The day of Ashura is celebrated a few days before Ramadan during “Muharram” month. 10th of Muharram month is the month when Ashura is celebrated to commemorate the martyrdom Husayn ( al-Husayn), the son of Ali and the grandson of Mohammed the Prophet.
In Turkey when it’s Ashura, you cook Turkish aşure and hand out it in small bowls to your neighbours and family members.
Turkish Aşure Recipe – Noah’s Ark Pudding Recipe
As we mentioned above there is no set recipe but we will give you the one we love.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups uncooked whole grain wheat
- 1 cup chickpeas
- 1 cup beans or navy beans
- Half cup rice
- 3 tbsp pine nuts
- 6-7 dried apricots (chopped)
- 6-7 dried figs (chopped)
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- Zest of an orange
- Zest of a lemon
- 1 pomegranate
Turkish Aşure Recipe – Noah’s Ark Pudding Recipe
You should prepare the wheat the night before you’ll cook aşure recipe.
- Put the wheat in water and turn the heat on and when it starts to boil reduce the heat and boil the wheat gently for only 10-15 minutes. Then let it wait till morning.
- Next morning when the wheat doesn’t look liquid, add chickpeas, dried fruits, sugar, beans, rice and all the other ingredients you wish for.
- When cooking Turkish Aşure you should be keeping an eye on it so that you can add more water if needed.
- Stir aşure occasionally until it thickens.
- Remember to use a wooden spoon.
- When it thickens turn the heat off and let it wait until it’s cool.
- Put the Noah’s ark pudding in small bowls, add pomegranate and serve cold.
Afiyet olsun
Turkish Meals
