Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 3 votes

Ashure (Varvara | Noah's Pudding)

This is one of the oldest desserts in the world and it's still a popular dessert in Greece, the Balkans, Turkey, Armenia and other Middle East countries.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
Servings: 5 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

  • 1700 ml water
  • 400 gr whole grain wheat or barley
  • 400 gr granulated sugar
  • 100 gr blonde raisins
  • 100 gr dried apricots quartered
  • 100 gr figs chopped
  • 50 gr black raisins
  • 50 gr walnuts coarsely chopped
  • 50 gr peanuts from Aegina
  • 50 gr almonds peeled
  • 50 gr hazelnuts shelled
  • 2 tbsp corn flour dissolved in 6 tbsp. water
For serving
  • cinnamon
  • rose water optional
  • pomegranate seeds optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. The night before, put the wheat or barley in a large pot and cover with plenty of water.
  2. Place a saucepan over high heat and bring to the boil. Cover and boil for 35-40 minutes or until it softens.
  3. Lower the heat and add the sugar, raisins, and apricots.
  4. Stir from time to time with a wooden spoon to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. Boil for about 25 minutes until the water reduces and a thin syrup begins to form.
  5. Add the walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and figs. Boil for another 5 minutes.
  6. Dissolve the corn flour in 6 tablespoons of water and then add it to the pot, stirring until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.
  7. Finally, pour the Varvara into deep bowls. Once cooled, sprinkle with cinnamon, pomegranate seeds, and a touch of rose water. You could also sprinkle with some chopped nuts.

Notes

  • Chef’s tip: The texture of the dessert while it is hot should be quite juicy, resembling a mushy risotto. As it cools, it will harden.
  • The texture of the dessert while it is hot should be quite juicy, resembling a mushy risotto. As it cools, it will harden.