Golden-layered breakfast
Butter and pistachio mamounieh
A warm, creamy dish of semolina toasted in butter, served immediately with cinnamon and pistachios.

Butter and pistachio mamounieh
Makes: one generous serving; serve hot.
Ingredients
- 70 g medium or fine semolina
- 60 g clarified butter
- 500 ml water
- 150 g sugar
- A handful of pistachios or pine nuts
- Cinnamon, for serving
- A little butter for toasting the nuts
Method
- Toast the pistachios or pine nuts in a little butter, then set aside.
- Heat the water and sugar just until they begin to boil, then lower the heat.
- Melt the butter in a pan, add the semolina and stir continuously for about 10 minutes, until caramel-coloured.
- Carefully add the toasted semolina to the hot sugar water. Simmer for about two minutes, until thick and creamy.
- Pour into a serving dish immediately, finish with cinnamon and nuts, and serve hot.
Success tip
Slow, continuous toasting creates the distinctive colour and flavour, so do not leave the semolina unattended.
Reference: Paris-Alep — Mamouniyé / Crème de semoule torréfiée.