Layali Lebnanlebanese Nights

The name of this delicious middle eastern pudding dessert translates to 'Lebanese Nights'. It is an incredibly delicious, easy to make semolina-based pudding, topped with whipped cream, fruits, nuts and simple sugar syrup. I prefer to make it without the syrup and like to add a few drops of red food colouring to give the dessert a vivid pick of colour which contrasts so beautifully with the whipped cream. Very pretty and highly refreshing in the summer time!

Ingredients
4 cups whole milk (800 ml)
1/2 cup fine semolina (sooji)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp. orange blossom water OR vanilla essence
some red food colouring (optional)
1/2 tsp. rose syrup (optional)
1 cup liquid whipping cream whipped to soft peaks with 1 tbsp. icing sugar & 1 tsp. vanilla essence
banana slices for garnishing
chopped strawberries
(optional for garnishing)
toasted slivered almonds
(for garnishing)

Mix milk, semolina, food coulouring and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil on medium heat while stirring continuously to make sure that the semolina does not clump or stick to the bottom of your pot. As soon as it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and keep stirring. When the pudding thickens, remove from the heat and add your rose water or vanilla essence and rose syrup. Pour into a serving individual serving bowls. Allow the pudding to cool completely. Once cooled, top the pudding with whipped cream and chill. Just before serving, add the sliced fruits and slivered almonds.