Ashourah

This is a common dessert for Near Eastern Jews.

Ingredients

• 1 cup seeded raisins, chopped fine
• 1 1/2 pounds granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 1 pound borgoul or brown rice
• Salt
• 1 teaspoon rose water or almond extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg

Instructions

1. Boil sugar and raisins in the water until the bubble stage is reached.
2. Remove from heat; add nuts.
3. Cook borgoul or brown rice in slightly salted cold water to cover; drain when tender.
4. Stir into the raisins and nuts mixture; cook about 5 minutes.
5. Fold in the rose water or almond extract.
6. Serve a heaping spoonful of this mixture over more nuts and top with an almond.
7. Add a sprinkling of cinnamon or nutmeg if desired.

Serves 6 to 8.