--- Watch Anjum Anand make her savoury semolina loaf in Indian Food Made Easy, Wednesdays at 7.30pm on SBS Food Channel 33 from 15 July to 19 August, with season two following in September. Episodes are available on after they air ---
The creamy-yellow grains of semolina are most often made by grinding durum wheat, although you might also find rice or corn semolina too. It varies from fine to coarse, from yellowish to pale, but what unites them all is that semolina can be transformed into a world of delicious cakes and bakes, from a veg-strong savoury Indian loaf to sweet, sticky desserts.
"These easily-made cakes (you just stir everything together) are typical of sweets found in the cuisines of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, where ground nuts (pistachios, almonds, walnuts) and semolina are widely used. Their slightly gritty texture works beautifully with the infused sugar syrup," says Leanne Kitchen of her for these sweet citrusy cakes.
Almond-orange syrup cakes Source: China Squirrel
Ricotta, cream, eggs, semolina and sesame come together int, which is like a crustless cheesecake..jpg?imwidth=1280)
Sesame cheesecake (myzithropita hyti) Source: Chris Chen
"This is spongy, crispy on the edges and replete with the textures of the vegetables. It is light and satisfying, easy to make and takes care of itself in the oven," says Anjum Anand of her version of an Indian classic. "It hails from the Gujarati community but is my cheats’ version; no soaking or grinding required."
Savoury semolina cake Source: Indian Food Made Easy
This is a fragrant, sweet, lightly spiced cake with a moist chewy inside and a crunchy exterior. The is a three-generation family favourite.
Sri Lankan love cake Source: Sharyn Cairns
This Egyptian for sweet semolina cake is incredibly easy to make. It's topped with divine rosewater and lemon syrup.
Basbousa Source: Benito Martin
In Gabriel Gaté's , the cooked lemon, semolina and pistachio cake is soaked in a lemon syrup. "It’s a beautiful cake that seems to please everyone," he says.
Lemon and coconut semolina cake with pistachios Source: Mark Roper
A delightful Turkish dessert with a zesty lemon glaze that keeps it moist and sticky, and is best served with piping hot Turkish coffee, this comes from Somer Sivrioglu.
Semolina domes Source: Bree Hutchins
A sweet semolina custard is at the heart of , wrapped in layers of buttered filo..jpg?imwidth=1280)
Sweet semolina filo pie (bougatsa) Source: Alan Benson
A breakfast staple that also serves well as a side dish, these vegetarian semolina cakes are spiced with curry leaf, mustard seeds and coriander.
Dhokla Source: Alan Benson
"A staple during Naples' Carnival festivities, is the region's rustic semolina and lemon cake which is made rich and moist with the ricotta," says Silvia Colloca.
Neapolitan semolina and ricotta cake (migliaccio) Source: Cook Like an Italian
