Aysh Assaraya/Eish Al-Saraya
A mouth watering Middle Eastern/Lebanese dessert, inspired by one of my Lebanese friends who shared this recipe during our cooking club days in Fontainebleau, France. I made this for New Years Eve Dinner Dec 07, everyone loved it. The friends even saved some to take it back home for their children.
Can be made a day ahead.
Serves: 8-10 servings
Cooking time: 20-30 minutes Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Setting time: 4 hours minimum
Ingredients for Sugar Syrup
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 tablespoons of orange blossom
- 1 tablespoon of rose water
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 cup of water
Ingredients for Custard
- 1 litre of milk
- ¼ (200 grams) tin of condensed milk
- 300 ml of cream
- 2 tablespoons of Rose water
- 2 tablespoons orange blossom
- 6 tablespoons cornflour
- 1 packed of toasted bread/rusks (about 20 small rusk’s - enough to line the dish you will be setting the dessert in)
- ¼ cup crushed pistachios
Method
Place toasted bread evenly in a square dish.
Then make the syrup- mix sugar, water, lemon together and place over medium heat. Once hot and sugar has melted, mix the orange blossom and rose water into the syrup. Now pour the hot syrup over the toast so that it soaks it in. Set Aside.
Mix together milk, cream, condensed milk and corn flour for the custard in a saucepan and place over medium heat.
Keep stirring until thick; once the custard has thickened add rose water and orange blossom.
Stir for a little more while and when the custard has reached a “THICK” pouring consistency, pour over the toast.
Once it reaches room temperature, cover with the dish and place in the refrigerator for cooling; a minimum of 4 hours.
Before serving, sprinkle with chopped pistachios – Absolutely Delicious!!
Filed under: Puddings/Ice Creams
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HI Archana,
Email me your address and we will include you in the chain. I will visit your blog as and when I can. You can also register with Food Blog Desam.
Nice knowing you!
Hey Archana,
The recipe sounds delicious. One simple question (from an absolute amateur): What is orange blossom??
Rucha
The orange blossom, which is the state flower of Florida, is traditionally associated with good fortune, and was popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths for weddings for some time.
The petals of orange blossom is made into a delicately citrus-scented version of rosewater. Orange blossom water is a common part of Middle Eastern cuisine. This water is distilled water that contains the essential oils of the orange blossom. It adds a hint of a citrus scent to foods and compliments the flavor.
First time in your place.
Delicious dessert.
When i have a bit more time I will be back to check your older posts
Archana, that dessert looks extremely delicious. What is orange blossom though?
Sorry i just read your previous reply about what orange blossom is.. thanks for the info.
Archana..loved the recipe and your blog. You have some great recipes here…and i would have a hard time parting with that desert
Very humble comments. I cant seem to find time/though process to write stories and lovely posts, but most of your blogs are very inspirational. My mind is so one tracked on getting the recipe to the T.
Hi Archana, this reminded me of Shahi Tukde, love the combination of bread and syrup, it makes me drool always!!
Nice blog you have here…will look around.
Hi Archana !!
I rememeber having this in India long time bck…
nice to find the recipe
looks yummy
MR
MR - you had it in India?
Shahi Tukde, yea very similar i think. I had shahi tukde once in a cooking club party while i was in France. You are right, it did have some bread soaked in syrup, but dont remember what was the sauce.
Hi Archana,
I tried this recipe last weekend! It was reallly good and very easy to make. Guests over for dinner liked it and most importantly hubby and baby daughter just loved it!!
thanks,
Rucha
The dessert looks so yummy. BTW, where do we get the orange blossom? Can’t wait to try it.
hi archana, first time on ur blog, i loved each and evry recipe u posted. i checked ur older recipes too and was drooling over the papdi chaat and rest of it
hey btw, do u know sandhya who stays in shrewsbury (MA)? she told me abt ur blog. r u in US?
Thanks everyone for visiting. This Lebanese dessert has become a favorite amoung all my friends and family who have tried this dessert, Its siumply phenomenal.