Aşure

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Aşure

Aşure, also known as Noah's pudding is as some say the oldest dessert known to mankind! It is a traditional dessert served in Turkey on the Tenth day of Muharram called Ashura ( Muharram is the 1st month in the Islamic Calender) The story told for centuries is that when the Ark of Prophet Nuh/Noah peace be upon him reached safety on mount Judi in Northeastern Turkey He asked for all the provision left on the Ark to be gathered and cooked so a prayer of thanks could be given. Since then it has been cooked in home and places of religious worship.
It was prepared in Tekkes in large cauldrons and each dervish took turns in stirring in the pot the Arabic letterـو and then distributed. It has long since been prepared Turkish households, and is made in celebration and remembrance of the souls lost during the Kerbala. May ALLAH bless the souls of the Martyr's of Kerbala.

Aşure is known as the dish of love and charity so is shared amongst family friends and neighbours. As it is not quite the 10th of Muharram I decided to post this recipe incase you wish to try it. 
It is not a dish that is familiar in the sub-continent so for me this is very new. But the symbolism of this dessert is what appeals to me so much.

 It is difficult to pin point the exact ingredients to this recipe as each region and household has their own versions, so I looked around and picked out main ingredients in each and added a few of my own. I do hope you will give it a go.

Aşure

Ingredients 

1 cup barley
1 cup white kidney beans
1 cup chickpeas
1 cup wheat
10 dried apricots
10 dried figs ( I used dark figs, but i was recently advised that it is better to use yellow or golden figs as they taste better and do not alter the colour of the Asure which dark figs can do )
6 Cloves
2 tspn of cinnamon powder
3/4 cup raisin
1/2 cup of currants
1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 dried plums
1/2 cup dates
1/2 cup hazelnuts or almonds
1/2 pine nuts
4 tbsn Rose water
2 1/2 cups of sugar
Zest of one lemon and orange
4 tbsn Cornflour
Orange peel

Garnish

Pomegranate
Pistachios
Sesame seeds
Desiccated coconut

Method

1. Night before soak the chickpeas, white beans and wheat.
2. The following day put the beans into pot and boil until tender.
3. Put barley into pot cover with water and cook.
4. When beans and barley have cooked add to another pot and add 1.5 litres of water, bring to boil.
5. Add the cloves and cinnamon powder and orange peel ( this can be removed later, leaves a beautiful smell)
6. Now add the dried plums raisin, sultanas, figs, dates and cranberries, hazelnuts and cook for about 15 mins.
7. Now add sugar and stir well till it dissolves. Taste to see if more is needed. cook for a few mins.

Make sure to taste to see if more sugar is needed.

8. Now make a slurry of cornflour or rice flour with water and add to mixture and stir, this will help to thicken.

9. Cook until it reaches desired consistency and serve in dishes.
10. In a pan dry roast some sesame seeds until light golden. Garnish with chopped Pistachio's, desiccated coconut and pomegranate seeds.

Garnish as you desire

Enjoy. Endless peace and blessings upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad and His beloved Family, and upon all of the Prophets who came out of hardship on the day of Ashura.

 The month of Muharram is also know as the month of health, as Aşure is rich in vitamins, helping the immune system and good source of strength due to the pulses and grains used.