Mughli (a caraway pudding)

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This is truly a delicious and very flavoursome dessert that you will love, do really try it and I bet you you won’t be able to stop!

It is customary in the Middle East, especially in the area of the Levant, to serve this pudding to celebrate the birth of a baby. It is served for guest welcoming, and also served to the new mother for its many health benefits. Mughli is made out of powdered caraway seeds (Caraway is a plant related to anise, fennel, and dill). It is usually used to flavor rye bread and many other foods, including cabbage, pickles, soups, casseroles, curries, and cheeses, as well as being used in liqueurs.

Caraway is known for its health benefits (read more at the end of the post), this Mughli (otherwise known as Karawya) is therefore a delicious pudding that is also healthy for you.  It can be had anytime, and can also be served as dessert after a meal. But because it contains sugar and powdered rice it is best had in moderation. To know more about this spice, dessert and its hot pudding variation along with the stories associated with it grab a copy of my book “Plated Heirlooms” and read more there.

Ingredients

  • 7 cups water
  • 1 cup ground rice
  • 1 ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 ½ tbsp Ground Caraway Seeds
  • 2 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
  • A dash of Orange Blossom Water
  • Roughly Grated Fresh Coconut
  • Assorted Nuts peeled (Almonds, Pine nuts, Pistachios, Coconuts), soaked 10 minutes in Orange Blossom Water

Bring 6 cups water to a boil.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the ground rice with 1 cup of cold water and stir to dissolve.

Once the water has boiled, add the rice and water mixture to the boiling water and stir to incorporate.

Lower the heat to medium, add the sugar and spices and mix using a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens. Once thickened enough (like a custard consistency) remove it from the heat.

Spoon the mixture in individual cups or a large serving platter if preferred. Sprinkle the tops with orange blossom water, and top with roughly grated fresh coconuts and the drained nuts.

Place in the fridge to cool and set for 3 hours. Serve cold.

Caraway seeds have been used medicinally since ancient times. They contain healthy essential oils (mostly limonene and carvone), protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium, potassium, iron, and many antioxidants. Which when fed to the mother will pass through to her baby. The most important medicinal characteristic is that Caraway seeds are used to treat colic, excessive flatulence, indigestion, cramps, and loss of appetite, among others.

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