This delicious Lebanese Nights recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is all made in one pot for a quick weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Trust me; it’s a game-changer for busy evenings.
Ingredients for Lebanese Nights
Creating a flavorful Lebanese Nights requires a few key ingredients. Let’s break them down:
- Milk
- Fine Semolina
- Crushed Mastic
- Orange Blossom Water
- Rose Water
- Sugar
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Lemon Juice
How to Make Lebanese Nights
Okay, let’s dive into the cooking process, this is where the magic happens!
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by measuring out all your ingredients trust me, it makes everything much easier once you get cooking! This helps the cooking process flow without any frantic searching.
Step 2: Combine Base Ingredients
In a large pot over medium heat, combine your 4 cups of milk, 1 cup of fine semolina, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and a couple pinches of salt. Stir this mixture continuously, cleaning off any clumps to ensure a smooth base. It should begin thickening after a few minutes.
Step 3: Adding Aromatics
Once the mixture starts to become creamy, add in the crushed mastic, 1 teaspoon of orange blossom water, and ½ teaspoon of rose water. The kitchen is going to smell incredible at this point! Make sure to keep stirring frequently to prevent the semolina from sticking.
Step 4: Whip It Good!
In a separate bowl, whip together your 1½ cups of heavy whipping cream and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch until it’s smooth. You want this to be fluffy and light, this is going to be the icing on the cake, literally!
Step 5: Combine and Simmer
Now, bring the pot back to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat. Stir in the whipped cream mixture slowly while continuously stirring to keep everything incorporated. Continue cooking until the pudding is velvety and thick, about 8-10 minutes.
Step 6: Final Touches
Once you reach your desired thickness, add in your 1½ cups of water and the remaining sugar, stirring until fully dissolved. Finally, add a squeeze of lemon juice and mix until well combined.
Step 7: Chill Out
Pour your Lebanese Nights mixture into a large dish or individual cups. Let it cool for a bit at room temperature, then transfer it to the fridge for at least two hours to fully set.
Step 8: Serving
Once chilled, you can serve it with a sprinkle of crushed nuts or a dollop of yogurt if you’d like. Feel free to drizzle some extra rose or orange blossom water on top for an extra special touch!
Why I Love This Recipe
This Lebanese Nights recipe is my go-to when I want something comforting and sweet that also reminds me of my childhood. It’s kind of a family favorite around here, and honestly? I’m a real sucker for anything that reminds me of those cozy family dinners. The best part is how versatile it is, you can use whatever you have on hand or adjust it to fit your family’s tastes. I can make it with almond milk if we’re out of regular milk or switch up the sweetness based on what my kids are feeling that day.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Semolina Turmeric Cake, my Gulab Jamun in Kunafa Nests, or my Easy Almond Mhencha!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This delicious Lebanese Nights comes together in under 30 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something indulgent but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
One Pot Magic
Minimal cleanup required with this recipe! Everything is made in one pot, which means less time scrubbing dishes and more time enjoying dessert.
Customizable
You can easily swap out ingredients based on what you have. Have leftover sweetened condensed milk? Go for it! It’s all about making it work for you.
Comfort Food
Loaded with tons of flavor and richness, this dish truly feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s the perfect sweet indulgence after a long day!
Make-Ahead Friendly
Make it ahead of time and let it chill in the fridge! It’s perfect for meal prep, giving you a delicious dessert that’s good to go whenever you need a sweet treat.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delicious Lebanese Nights with some crushed pistachios, extra orange blossom or rose water, or fresh fruits like berries or cherries. It’s perfect for a light dessert after dinner or as a sweet breakfast treat!
Storage
You can keep this pudding in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It’s great for snacking throughout the week!
Reheating Instructions
Honestly, I don’t recommend reheating this one. It’s best served cold! But if you find it’s too thick after chilling, feel free to mix in a little milk to thin it out before serving.
Freezer Friendly
Yes, this recipe is freezer-friendly! Just make sure to store it in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. To enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Enjoy your homemade Lebanese nights! This recipe is sure to bring warmth and flavor to your kitchen. Bon appétit! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Lebanese Nights
Ingredients
Method
- Measure out all your ingredients to streamline the cooking process.
- In a large pot over medium heat, combine the milk, fine semolina, sugar, and salt.
- Stir continuously until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Once creamy, add the crushed mastic, orange blossom water, and rose water.
- Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream and cornstarch until smooth and fluffy.
- Bring the pot to a gentle simmer and reduce the heat.
- Slowly stir in the whipped cream mixture, cooking until the pudding is velvety and thick, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add water and the remaining sugar, stirring until dissolved.
- Finish with lemon juice and mix well.
- Pour the mixture into a large dish or individual cups.
- Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least two hours to set.
- Serve chilled with crushed nuts, yogurt, or a drizzle of extra rose or orange blossom water.