Balah El Sham

Balah El Sham is a delightful Lebanese dessert made from golden, deep-fried dough that is soaked in sweet syrup and garnished with crushed pistachios. This vegetarian treat is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour - 100 grams
• Water - 120 milliliters
• Vegetable oil - 30 milliliters (for frying)
• Cornstarch - 10 grams
• Baking powder - 1 teaspoon
• Sugar - 50 grams (for syrup)
• Water - 100 milliliters (for syrup)
• Rosewater - 1 teaspoon
• Pistachios - 20 grams (crushed, for garnish)
• Salt - a pinch

Steps

1. In a pot, combine 120 ml of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil.
2. Gradually add 100 grams of all-purpose flour and 10 grams of cornstarch to the boiling water, stirring continuously until it forms a dough.
3. Remove the pot from heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes.
4. Add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to the dough and mix well until fully incorporated.
5. Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
6. Using a piping bag or a spoon, shape the dough into small logs or balls and carefully drop them into the hot oil.
7. Fry until golden brown on all sides, then remove and drain on paper towels.
8. In a separate pot, combine 100 ml of water and 50 grams of sugar. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves.
9. Add 1 teaspoon of rosewater to the syrup and remove from heat.
10. Dip the fried dough in the warm syrup for a few seconds, then place them on a serving plate.
11. Garnish with crushed pistachios before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 300
• Protein: 5 g
• Carbs: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Water: 0.15 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in carbohydrates providing quick energy.
• Contains healthy fats from pistachios which are beneficial for heart health.

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