Sfouf

Sfouf are a traditional Lebanese dessert, characterized by their yellow color due to turmeric. It’s a semolina-based sweet that is often enjoyed with tea or coffee. Let’s give an Italian touch to this recipe, maybe using extra virgin olive oil instead of the commonly used vegetable oil.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of semolina flour
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons of pine nuts or almonds (optional, for decoration)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix semolina flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, turmeric, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
2. Add olive oil and milk, stirring until the batter is smooth.
3. Pour the batter into a greased rectangular pan.
4. If desired, decorate the top of the batter with pine nuts or almonds before baking.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (356 °F) for about 30-40 minutes, or until the surface is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool before cutting into squares and serving.

Curiosity

Sfouf do not have a direct equivalent in Italian pastry, but the use of semolina brings us closer to our traditions, especially in the South where semolina is widely used in cooking. Turmeric is also becoming increasingly popular in Italy for its beneficial properties and its use in various culinary preparations.