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Kids in the Kitchen: Qar Al Deen

by Adrienne
Apricot Pudding

Involving kids in the kitchen helps develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, learn math and science concept, learn new vocabulary, use their 5-senses and learn about healthy foods. Each one of the recipes that we share on our website involves each one of these skills. We also make a variety of recipes from around the world which encourages kids to be more globally aware and conscious of other cultures. We are sharing the a recipe from a friend called Qar Al deen or Apricot pudding today and some tips on having them help you make it below!

This recipe is part of our Ramadan cooking around the world series, other recipes can be found here.

Qar Al deen or Apricot pudding is special guest that appears on our dinner table every Ramadan. This dessert fills the bellies of many Egyptians including my own grandparents who introduced it to their kids and then to us. I remember the sweet smell of apricot that filled the air every year, signaling that Ramadan is only a few days away. I wanted to continue the tradition and memories with my own kids. With Ramadan being only 3 days away means it was time to fill the house with the sweet smell again. 

Not only do I get to share this childhood Ramadan tradition with my children, I also use it as an opportunity to introduce Arabic words. Words like mishmish or apricot, lezj or sticky, and yagmad or harden are words that are not used commonly in our kitchen, until we make this this dessert. 

RELATED POSTS //  Turkish Stuffed Grape Leaves / Yaprak Sarma

You can find the recipe below.

Apricot Pudding

Qar Al Deen // Apricot Pudding

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Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat
Rating: 5.0/5
( 1 voted )

Ingredients

  • 1 pack of dried apricot paste (most Arabic stores have them)
  • 4 cups of water
  • 4 table spoons of corn starch
  • 4 tablespoons of sugar
  • A handful of raisins, coconut flakes, and nuts or any garnish you prefer

Instructions

  1. Open your apricot paste and cut in up into pieces. My kids love to use their hands and get them all sticky. 
  2. In a pot add the cut up apricot paste and add 2 cups of water.
  3. While you are bringing it to a boil, mix 1 cup of water with corn starch. Whisk until no lumps present.
  4. Once the pot boils, use a hand held blender and blend thoroughly.
  5. Next, add the corn starch mixture along with the remaining cup of water, plus the sugar. Constantly whisk until it is thickened.
  6. Take off the stove and pour into small bowls or cups.
  7. Add the garnish mix of your choice. We love raisins, coconut flakes, and nuts.
  8. Allow it to set in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
  9. Serve cold for dessert after a long day of fasting. Bel saha wal hana 🙂

Recipe by Reem Tomac, an Egyptian American married to a Turkish man, we met their family when we visited the USA in summer 2019.

You can find Reem on Instagram @thetomacchronicles and her blog.

Tell us below in the comments, which traditional family desert you like to make with your kids?

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