Milk pudding (Muhallabiyeh)
June 14, 2013 • Category: Dessert
This pudding used to belong to the category: What your mother or grandmother will make at home. Now it is available in Beirut everywhere, in delis, at juice bars, coffee joints, even in supermarkets under a label. I guess there are less and less mothers and grandmothers at home making muhallabieh.
The rule of thumb for muhallabieh is for each cup of milk use 1 1/2 tablespoon of starch; since cows are scant in Lebanon most people make it with powdered milk. To make a really good muhallabieh, the cream needs to be gossamer, silky, smooth, delicate, in short, exquisite.
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 cups milk
- 6 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp orange blossom water
- 1 tsp rose water
- 6 Tbsp granulated sugar
- ground pistachios, to garnish
1. In a saucepan, over medium heat pour the milk and sugar (save 3/4 cup milk to dissolve the cornstarch in). Stir to dissolve the sugar; dissolve the cornstarch in the remaining milk; when the mixture starts to steam pour the cornstarch mixture and stir continuously until the pudding thickens; add the flavoring at the end; pour the pudding into individual cups and cool on the counter; refrigerate. Garnish with ground pistachios if desired.
Comments
36 Comments • Comments Feed
Belinda @zomppa says:
Orange blossom and pistachios! Love it!!
On June 14, 2013 at 4:13 am
Rosa says:
A delightful dessert! That is a speciality I love.
Cheers,
Rosa
On June 14, 2013 at 4:19 am
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says:
Wow this really does take me back to my childhood! Thanks for posting
On June 14, 2013 at 7:35 am
Gabi says:
Pure soul food. I could get addicted. Luckily one easily can prepare a single portion;-) just a shame I can’t get unsalted pistachios anywhere in town. Trying to desalt salted ones I can’t recommend.
On June 14, 2013 at 10:00 am
Joumana says:
@Gabi: I’d recommend finding a wholesale nut purveyor or online source. Also, you can soak the salted pistachios, peel them then roast them for a few minutes. Time-consuming, I know~ 🙂
On June 14, 2013 at 11:57 am
garlutti says:
Delicioso ..un plato fantástico …saludos
On June 15, 2013 at 12:48 am
Hélène (Cannes) says:
Tu ne pouvais me faire plus plaisir qu’avec cette recette-là !
Bises
Hélène
On June 15, 2013 at 1:43 am
Joumana says:
@Hélène, tant mieux! bon weekend! 🙂
On June 15, 2013 at 4:34 am
T.W. Barritt says:
This sounds lovely – and the orange blossom and rose water must add such a nice, delicate flavor.
On June 15, 2013 at 4:35 am
Alicia (foodycat) says:
Silky creamy puddings are just my cup of tea! Does this end up setting quite firmly, or with more of a pouring custard consistency?
On June 15, 2013 at 8:23 am
Joumana says:
@alicia: no it is more jiggly than firm; if you are a firm pudding fan, like firm enough to unmold, then add more starch, say 2 tablespoons per cup and see if you like it better. this is not meant to be unmolded that’s why it is not too firm.
On June 15, 2013 at 10:53 am
miriam says:
should one use whole milk?
On June 15, 2013 at 5:35 pm
Joumana says:
@Miriam: yes, for a creamier texture.
On June 15, 2013 at 10:02 pm
JC says:
This was so easy and delicious. It was better and simpler than any pudding I’ve ever made. I used almond milk, about half the sugar, and added some agave syrup. I had no pistachios so topped it with sliced almonds and fresh strawberries. I’ve already bought some whole milk to try it again. I think I’m going to cut back to about 2/3 of the cornstarch so it is more of a thick liquid rather than a gel. Thank you for the recipe.
On June 16, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Alaiyo Kiasi-Barnes says:
Hi Joumana,
I’m stopping by to get a closer look at your amazing milk pudding with the pistachio garnish. I’m inspired to make this because 1) I love pudding and 2) I’m wild about pistachios. I also love your blog! Thanks for sharing this beautiful dessert.
Alaiyo
On June 16, 2013 at 7:15 pm
miriam says:
just made this..was fabulous,,,btw used the whole milk and so glad i did..creamy ,silky delicate just as you described.. only used the orange flower water as that is all i had on hand and didnt have the pistachios to top, which i know i must try as i love pistachios…. but are there any other tradtional toppings you can suggest?.. will be making again and again..thank you
On June 17, 2013 at 2:11 am
Joumana says:
@Miriam: Ground pistachios is such a traditional topping here in Lebanon for so many pastries! Really, the sky’s the limit with muhallabieh, you can make it without sugar and top it with your favorite jam; here the grandmothers used to serve it with dates in syrup or Seville orange peel in syrup../How about grated coconut? that is used a lot for another pudding called meghli, but it would go very well with muhallabieh. You can try making it with half coconut milk too, if you like. Another tradition is to top it with blanched almonds.
On June 17, 2013 at 7:28 am
Oui, Chef says:
Love the pistachio garnish here, just like in the fanciest restaurants!
On June 18, 2013 at 6:50 am
Susan says:
Beautiful, silky dessert, Joumana! The pistachios are the perfect topping.
On June 18, 2013 at 7:15 pm
weavethousandflavors says:
This lovely – the texture divine and what a treat for the younglings as well as the youg at heart. The texture, combination of rose water and orange blosson is just marevlous.
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
On June 19, 2013 at 8:55 am
Wizzy says:
This just makes me want to grab my favourite blanket and snuggle all day in front the telly with a bowl of this. Yum!
On June 20, 2013 at 11:03 am
Paula Mello says:
Joumana, is it possible to do this recipe without orange and rose water? They’re very expensive here in Brazil. What do you recommend?
On June 20, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Joumana says:
@Paula Mello: Muhalabieh is versatile; in other words, you can use vanilla powder or in liquid; you can use any flavor you like to perfume your sweet foods.
On June 20, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Alicia (foodycat) says:
Jiggly sounds good! Thanks for the additional info.
On June 22, 2013 at 11:24 am
Jamie says:
I love how homey, comfort food recipes made by our grandmothers becomes popular and finds its way to restaurant menus. I always find that so funny. This pudding looks and sounds so lovely, light and rich at the same time. Beautiful flavors!
On June 25, 2013 at 2:40 am
Ruby Tuesday Coupons says:
Omg! I am really drolling right now, I am very anxious how delicious is it. I am very excited to try this at home. Thanks for the post. I will share this to my friends also.
On July 8, 2013 at 4:50 am
perla says:
just made some mhallabieh , it tastes great ! thank you for this recipie . I guess i will be making mhallabieh over and over again . have a nice day
On January 12, 2014 at 4:19 am
Hasna says:
Would this taste the same as “Riz bi Haleeb”, but without the rice? I know Riz bi Haleeb is more firm…is this a consistency of like, say, banana pudding?
Thanks!
On June 30, 2014 at 8:37 pm
Joumana says:
@Hasna: The consistency depends on how much cornstarch (or rice flour) you add to the milk; here it is firm. Some people prefer it less firm, more like a thick cream; the rule of thumb is 1 1/2 tablespoon of starch per cup of liquid for a semi-firm texture. Experiment and go from there to see what you prefer/ it is always easier to use less than more, of course. If the starch is not sufficient you can keep adding, say one tablespoon at a time (diluted in water) until it is thick enough; keep in mind that it firms up as it cools.
On June 30, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Reem says:
Can you add mastek?
On September 2, 2021 at 4:34 am
Joumana Accad says:
@Reem Of course, just make sure to grind it up with a bit of sugar till powdery before adding it to the pudding. Delish!
On September 4, 2021 at 3:53 pm
Josée says:
Delightful! I made half a recipe with 1/2 cup of cream and 1 1/2 cup of milk, both local. I served with homemade candied nuts, chopped, and chopped candied orange peel. My Lebanese husband was on cloud nine! Thank you this recipe is a keeper.
On April 19, 2018 at 2:48 am
Derbehccke says:
I’ve only ever had this where rice flour was used. I’ve never tried one with cornstarch. Is there a taste difference?
d
On July 26, 2018 at 9:33 pm
Alan says:
I do a vegan version using the coconut milk you can put into hot drinks. It’s delicious with the taste of the rosewater.
On August 16, 2018 at 10:17 pm
Tamar says:
One of my favorites when I’m looking for some quick comfort. Lovely recipe ! Thank you.
On August 28, 2022 at 2:48 pm