Sweet side dish in some Middle Eastern cuisines
This is a sweet side dish or dessert commonly found in Middle Eastern cuisines, often featuring semolina or wheat as a base, cooked with sugar syrup and sometimes flavored with rose water or orange blossom water. It's typically garnished with nuts like pistachios or almonds, and is a staple during festive occasions and family gatherings.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
The dish is generally high in carbohydrates due to its sugar and grain content, providing quick energy, and offers moderate amounts of fiber and minerals like iron from the semolina. A typical serving contains around 250-350 calories, depending on portion size and added ingredients.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 300 kcal |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 30 g |
| Sodium | 50 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Phosphorus | 60 mg |
| Potassium | 150 mg |
| Zinc | 1 mg |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.2 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 1.5 mg |
| Folate | 20 mcg |
Per 1 cup (200 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, this dish is often served during celebrations like Eid or weddings, symbolizing sweetness and prosperity. Nutritionally, it's unique for combining quick energy from sugars with sustained energy from whole grains, making it a comforting yet energizing treat.
