Pistachio Rose Semolina Pudding
Creamy semolina pudding gets floral rosewater, cardamom, and a shower of pistachios for a quick, softly textured dessert.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 25 · Total: 35 · Serves: 6 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.7/5 (74 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
This original pudding borrows the fragrant pairing of rose and pistachio and turns it into a simple stovetop dessert. Cardamom keeps the sweetness warm, while semolina gives the spoonful a tender, comforting body.
Story
Casey reaches for semolina when dessert needs to feel special but the pantry is doing the heavy lifting. Rosewater makes the kitchen smell lovely, pistachios add a little crunch, and the whole pot comes together before anyone asks what is for dessert. Serve it warm for comfort or cold for a firmer, custardy bite.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup fine semolina
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon rosewater
- 1/3 cup shelled pistachios, chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried rose petals, optional
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Whisk the milk, semolina, sugar, cardamom, and salt in a heavy saucepan before turning on the heat.
- Cook over medium heat, whisking often, until the mixture begins to steam and the semolina starts to thicken.
- Lower the heat and cook for 8 minutes, whisking constantly around the bottom and corners of the pan.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and rosewater.
- Spoon the warm pudding into six small bowls and let it stand for 5 minutes so the surface settles.
- Drizzle with honey and scatter with pistachios and rose petals before serving warm or chilled.
Chef Tips
- Add rosewater sparingly because its floral flavor grows stronger as the pudding cools.
- Fine semolina thickens most evenly; coarse semolina gives a more textured result.
- Whisk constantly after thickening begins to keep the bottom from catching.
- For a silkier pudding, replace 1/2 cup of the milk with heavy cream.
Cook's Notes
- **Whisk:** Mix before heating, then whisk as it thickens.
- **Rosewater:** Start with a small amount.
- **Texture:** Let the bowls stand before garnishing.