Syrian Mamounia Recipe

Mamounia is a traditional Syrian dish which consists of semolina and syrup. The semolina is toasted lightly in ghee or butter until it takes a light caramel color. Sugar is boiled with water to make a syrup which is poured over the roasted semolina and the two are mixed and cooked together until a thick mixture forms. It is topped with a fragrant garnish before serving warm.

Mamounia has multiple spellings including ma’mounia, mamouniyeh and mamounieh. It is described as a pudding or porridge that is enjoyed for breakfast or as dessert.

Basic recipes are made with just semolina, butter and syrup. Richer recipes are made with milk and spices like cinnamon or flavored with orange blossom water. Popular garnishes are spices and nuts, typically pistachios. It is paired with fresh cheese or cream when eaten for breakfast and sometimes bread to balance its sweetness. Semolina is a course grainy flour made from durum wheat.

Origin and Significance

Mamounia has a long history in Syrian cuisine, which has a large variety of puddings. It originates from Aleppo; a city located in Northwest Syria near the Turkish border.

While the song mamunia, made the name known in pop culture and means safe haven it is not related to the dish. It’s believed that the pudding was named after Abbasid Caliph Al-Ma’mun, a religious leader circa 813-833 CE who was very fond of the pudding.

It’s hard to find mamounia outside of Syria though it is made with fairly easy to find ingredients. It is typically made and enjoyed at home.  

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Syrian Mamounia Recipe

Yield: 8 Servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

Mamounia is a traditional Syrian dish which consists of semolina and syrup. The semolina is toasted lightly in ghee or butter until it takes a light caramel color.

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Ingredients

• Semolina flour - 1 cup
• Butter (unsalted) - 2 tbsp
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Water - 4 cups
• Pistachios, almonds, cinnamon (ground) - as desired

Instructions

1. In a pot over low heat, melt the butter then add the semolina and keep stirring to roast the semolina until it is lightly golden. It will take approximately 10-13 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in another pot over medium heat, pour the water and sugar.
3. Stir to combine then bring to a boil.
4. Let it simmer until the semolina is done roasting.
5. Carefully add the sugar syrup to the semolina, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens to a pudding consistency.
6. Turn off the heat.
7. Pour into a single large platter or into small single serving plates.
8. Garnish with nuts and cinnamon, serve

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 200Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 1gSugar: 25gProtein: 3g

Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.