Shiamali Cypriot Version - Traditional Dessert Category

This recipe is posted especially for the “Creative Concoctions #3”, an event which is held in  Kopiaste.. to Greek Hospitality.

This is a traditional dessert that does not need any special kitchen equipment for its preparation.  It is extremely easy to make and delicious in taste. This recipe was adopted by Συνταγές για όλα τα γούστα. 

The original recipe did not include the orange zest in neither mixture nor syrup. But believe me, by adding orange zest you will give this sweet an extraordinary amazing smell. 

The other change that I made was the addition of the crushed almonds on top of the sweet before baking it. We all found this addition very nice as well, but you can omit that if you like.

Below you can find all steps of the recipe. I hope you enjoy it...!

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Shiamali Ingredients: 

2 cups of fine semolina 

200gr Greek yogurt 

1/3 cup caster sugar 

½ cup vegetable oil 

2 small eggs 

1½ tsp Baking Powder 

1 vanilla sugar 

2 tbs orange blossom water 

¼ tsp of mastic powder 

1 tsp of orange zest 

½ cup almonds (crushed)

 

Syrup Ingredients: 

1½ cup water 

1½ cup caster sugar 

1½ tbsp orange blossom water 

1½ cinnamon stick 

3 lemon drops 

½ tsp lemon zest 

½ tsp orange zest

Syrup Preparation

Mix all syrup ingredients together in a small saucepan and allow to boil for 13- 15 minutes. 

In a large bowl whisk well the eggs. Then add the following ingredients, mixing well with a wooden spoon after each addition: sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla, mastic powder, orange blossom water, yogurt, semolina, baking powder, orange zest.

Spread vegetable fat in a round Pyrex; then pour shiamali mixture in it.

Add the crashed almonds on top of shiamali and bake.

Here you can find the recipe in detail:

Cypriot Shiamali Version - Traditional Dessert Category

Shiamali Ingredients

2 cups of fine semolina

200gr Greek yogurt

1/3 cup caster sugar

½ cup vegetable oil

2 small eggs

1½ tsp Baking Powder

1 vanilla sugar

2 tbls orange blossom water

¼ tsp of mastic powder

1 tsp of orange zest

½ cup almonds (crashed)

Syrup Ingredients

1½ cup water

1½ cup caster sugar

1½ tbsp orange blossom water

1½ cinnamon stick

3 lemon drops

½ tsp lemon zest

½ tsp orange zest

Preparation Method

Syrup Preparation

1) Mix all syrup ingredients together in a small saucepan and allow to boil for 13- 15 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.

Shiamali Preparation

1) In a large bowl whisk well the eggs. Then add the following ingredients, mixing well with a wooden spoon after each addition:

sugar,

vegetable oil,

vanilla,

mastic powder,

orange blossom water

yogurt

semolina,

baking powder,

orange zest.

2) Spread vegetable fat in a round Pyrex; then pour shiamali mixture in it.

3) Add the crushed almonds on top of shiamali.

4) Bake in a preheated oven at 175ºC for 45 minutes until it becomes golden brown.

5) Remove Pyrex from the oven and cut shiamali into triangles.

6) Pour immediately the syrup on top of the baked shiamali, before removing any piece from the Pyrex. Let aside until the syrup is well absorbed.

7) Allow cooling completely before serving.