Recipe Name – Lebanese Nights, aka "Layali Lubnan"

Introduction – Layali Lubnan, translated to Lebanese Nights is a very popular dessert throughout the Middle East. It is a milk based semolina (rava/ suji) pudding that is topped with milk pudding called “Astha cream” & decorated with pistachios. This simple yet flavorful dessert can surely win your heart over. So let’s get started.

What all do you need?

For Layali Lubnan (milk & semolina pudding)

1. 1 liter full fat milk
2. 1 cup semolina (sooji)
3. ½ cup caster sugar
4. 1 tablespoon edible rose water
5. 1 tablespoon orange blossom water

For Astha cream (milk pudding)

1. 5 liter full fat milk
2. 2-3 tablespoon lemon juice
3. ½ liter full fat milk
4. ½ cup corn starch
5. 2 tablespoon sugar
6. 2 teaspoon edible rose water
7. 2 teaspoon orange blossom water
8. Pistachios (powder & whole) for decoration

Method - For Layali Lubnan (milk & semolina pudding)

1. On medium heat, mix milk, semolina, sugar, rose & orange blossom water.
2. Keep on mixing it till mixture starts bubbling & thickening.
3. Now transfer this mixture in the tray and keep it in the refrigerator to set.

Method - For Astha cream (milk pudding)

1. Keep 1.5 liter milk on gas and moment it is hot, mix lemon juice for milk to curdle.
2. When soft cheese (paneer/chena) is separated from milk, strain cheese using cheese cloth or strainer.
3. Now take another ½ liter milk, mix corn starch, sugar, rose & orange blossom water in it. Mix all these ingredients off the heat.
4. Now keep it on gas on medium heat and keep on mixing it till mixture reaches thick and smooth consistency.
5. Switch off the gas and remove this mixture from the heat and mix fresh cheese (paneer/chena) in it and mix well.
6. You can also beat this mixture using electric beater to achieve smooth consistency of astha.

Last step:

1. Now pour astha cream (milk pudding) on top of Layali lubnan (milk & semolina pudding) and spread well.
2. Decorate with pistachios and serve cold after cutting into equal size pieces.

Tips:

1. You can increase sugar in the Layali lubnan & astha cream as per your taste.
2. Instead of astha cream on top of layali lubnan, you can also use whipped cream as topping.
3. You can order orange blosson water online if not available in the market nearby.
4. Always use edible rose water in recipe.
5. If astha cream consistency is not coming right, you can add little bit of milk to get the right consistency.