Rose Dessert

(Gül Tatlısı - Çanakkale - The Marmara Region)

1 egg
1/4 cup powder sugar
1/2 cup yogurt, plain
1/2 cup semolina
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp zest of lemon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
~ 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

Syrup:
2 1/2 cup water
2 1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice

Garnish;
Pistachios, ground
Kaymak

To prepare the syrup place the water and sugar in a medium sized pot. First bring to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes. Then simmer for 15 minutes and turn the heat off. Add lemon juice and place the syrup in another bowl so that it cools down quickly.

To make the dough; In a large bowl combine all the ingredients except baking powder and flour, mix. Then gradually add the flour and baking powder to the mixture and kneed with your hand. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

Make 3-4 mm thick dough with the roller. Cut the dough with 6 cm wide cookie cutter. Layer five circles in an overlapping pattern. Each one should be in the middle of another (picture). Roll from one end to make petals of the roses with your fingers (picture). Cut the roll in half with a knife to make 2 roses (picture). Continue to make roses until the dough is finished. Place the roses on an oven tray or casserole dish.

Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Place the tray on the middle rack. Bake for about 30 minutes or until light golden colour. With a tablespoon pour the lukewarm syrup evenly all over the pastries. Let it cool down first. Cover the dessert loosely with aluminum foil. The taste is better the next day.

Sprinkle some pistachio over the each pastry. Then, pour a little bit syrup, serve with Kaymak by the side.

18-20 Rose Dessert.

Bairam Menu:
- Hıdiv Soup, Shepherd's Braised Lamb Cubes, Countryside Salad, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Vegetable in Olive Oil, Börek with Soda Water, Rose Dessert with Turkish Coffee or Turkish Tea on the side.