A warm, crumbly mixture of toasted bread crumbs, mashed dates, and ghee, enriched with cream and honey. This traditional Saudi sweet from the southern regions is pure indulgence in every spoonful.
Ingredients
4 slices whole wheat bread or brown bread
200g soft pitted dates
3 tbsp ghee
3 tbsp honey
4 tbsp cream (qishta)
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
2 tbsp black seed (nigella)
Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
1Toast the bread until deeply golden and dry. Let it cool slightly, then crumble it by hand into coarse, irregular pieces.
2Mash the dates with a fork or by hand until they form a sticky paste. If they are too firm, warm them briefly in a microwave.
3Combine the bread crumbles with the mashed dates, melted ghee, and cardamom. Mix until everything is well combined and clumping together.
4Press the mixture into serving bowls, forming a rough mound. Make a well in the center of each serving.
5Fill each well with cream and drizzle honey generously over the top. Sprinkle with black seed and sesame seeds.
6Serve warm immediately. The contrast of crunchy bread, sticky dates, cool cream, and fragrant honey is essential.
Did You Know?
Areeka is the signature dish of the Asir region in southern Saudi Arabia, where it is served to every guest as a gesture of mountain hospitality.