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    Home » Desserts

    December 21, 2020

    Halawet El Riz – Rice and Cheese Cream

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    Halawet El Riz – Rice and Cheese Cream – A decadent layered dessert made with rice, cheese and sweet clotted cream infused with blossom and rose water will leave you speechless!

    A cousin to the well known Middle Eastern Dessert, Halawet El Jibn but different at the same time!


    Halawet El Riz a decadent layered dessert of rice, cheese and ashta! A cousin to the well known Middle Easter Dessert, Halawet El Jibn
    Enjoy warm or chilled! So decadent and rich either way

    Also known as and spelled as Halawet El Rez or Halawet El roz. Roz or riz means rice in arabic. The rice is cooked well with water so that it can become very soft to blend in with the melted cheese, sugar and all the flavors including the sweet cream also known as ahsta.

    This is a great dessert to make for any occasion! So rich in texture and perfectly sweetened, it is really a unique dessert that many are raving about on my instagram page!

    Happy to have it available on the internet to share with the world. I would love to hear your feedback on this recipe or any of my recipes that you try on the bottom of the page 🙂


    What Is Ashta Made Of?

    This sweet cream is super easy to make! It will take you five minutest tops and you have it ready.

    It firms up once you refrigerate it, just be sure to let it cool for 20 minutes prior to refrigerating it.

    • ricotta cheese
    • whole milk or heavy cream
    • corn starch
    • rose water
    • blossom water
    • cup sugar

    Halawet El Riz a decadent layered dessert of rice, cheese and ashta! A cousin to the well known Middle Easter Dessert, Halawet El Jibn

    Ingredients needed to make Halawet El Riz

    • short grain rice
    • Fresh Belgioioso Cheese or 16 oz block of mozzarella cheese
    • water
    • blossom water known as ‘mazaher‘
    • rose water mawarid
    • cane sugar or xylitol or white sugar

    What are the steps to making Halawet el Riz -Rice and Cheese Cream?

    • First we need to remove the sodium from the cheese by soaking the block of mozzarella cheese in water
    • Cover rice with 6 cups of water and allow simmer for 30 minutes
    • Drain any remaining water from the rice. Blend the rice using an immersion blender until rice becomes creamy⁣
    • Add the drained cheese and sugar into the pot of rice. Place on medium heat and stir consistently until all ingredients are well combined and content is stretchy
    • Add in the rosewater and blossom water and continue mixing to combine⁣ on medium heat
    • Pour the cheese filling into a 9×13 pyrex, spread using a spatula. Allow the rice and cheese mixture to cool.
    • Spread the ashta (sweet cream) layer on top. 

    So, here is what the rose and blossom water bottle looks like! Click here Ofcourse there are different brands and they all will work the same.

    You can find them at local middle eastern stores or at some international stores. This is a way to purchase them if you cannot find them near you.

    Find the “sweet Cream” – ASHTA recipe here


    Halawet El Riz a decadent layered dessert of rice, cheese and ashta! A cousin to the well known Middle Easter Dessert, Halawet El Jibn - ASHTA

    All about Halawet El riz

    1. What kind of cheese can I use that will not require soaking in water?

      If using Belgioioso cheese, there is no need to soak in water.

    2. Should Halawet El Riz be eaten cold or warm?

      This is a personal preference since I love scooping out a warm spoon of this delicious dessert. It is usually enjoyed chilled but please do try it warm as well 😉

    3. How long does Halawet El Riz store in the fridge for?

      It can last in the fridge for about 2-3 days. Best to taste test and see.

    4. Does Halawet El Riz need fragrant simple syrup?

      Not necessarily! You can sweeten the rice and cheese mixture and the ashta layer that goes on top so that you don’t need to at atir, which is also known as simple syrup. Honey also tastes so good drizzled on top.


    OTHER RECIPES YOU MAY WANT TO TRY!

    • Osmaliyi
    • Ashta
    • Date Biscuit Nut Bars
    • Apple Crisp
    • Best Sweet Potato Casserole EVER
    Halawit Elroz- Rice and Cheese Dessert

    Halawet El Riz – Rice and Cheese Cream

    Lama
    A decadent layered dessert made with rice, cheese and sweet clotted cream infused with blossom and rose water will leave you speechless! A cousin to the well known Middle Eastern Dessert, Halawet El Jibn
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Comment Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Course Dessert, middle eatern dessert
    Cuisine Middleeastern

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups short grain rice
    • 2 16 oz Fresh Belgioioso Cheese or 16 oz block of mozzarella cheese
    • 6 cups water
    • 2 tablespoons blossom water mazaher
    • ⅓ cup rose water mawarid
    • 2 ½ cups cane sugar or xylitol or white sugar

    Instructions
     

    • To remove the sodium, soak the cheese in water for 1-3 hours or over night, renewing the water a few times- if using Belgioioso cheese, there is no need to soak!
    • In a pot add washed short or medium grain rice. Cover with 6 cups of water. Bring water to a boil for about 4 minutes then simmer for 30 minutes covered stirring occasionally until all the water has been soaked by the rice.
    • After 30 minutes if needed if the rice hans’t fully soaked all the water, cover it and leave it or another 10-20 minutes.
    • Now, using an immersion blender blemd the rice until it is a creamy consistency.
    • Add the drained cheese and sugar into the pot of creamed rice. Place on medium heat and begin to stir consistently until all ingredients are well combined and content is stretchy.
    • Add in the rosewater and blossom water and continue mixing to combine⁣ on medium heat.
    • Now, pour the warm cheese filling into a 9×13 pyrex. Allow it to cool.
    • Top is with a layer of  ashta (sweet cream).  Garnish with ground pistachio. 
    • Place it in the fridge for 4 hours or over night. Enjoy as is or for added sweetness, drizzle honey or simple syrup.

    Video

    Notes

    If there is extra cheese filling, add it to another baking dish!  Enjoy warm or refrigerate for 2-4 hours to enjoy it chilled!  It is delicious both ways in my opinion.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Hala says

      January 27, 2021 at 5:27 pm

      This was so easy to make and so delicious. Very light and the texture was amazing! Loved this!!!!

      Reply
    2. Tamara says

      January 28, 2021 at 1:47 am

      This was verrry very delicious. So creamy and really impressive. I loved how easy the ashta was to make. Thank you again for such a great recipe

      Reply
    3. Fatima says

      March 05, 2021 at 7:08 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love this dish- won’t ever buy sweets from bakeries again since we have Lama. Can’t wait to make it again today!

      Reply
      • Lama says

        March 14, 2021 at 5:50 pm

        I am so happy to hear this Fatima!! Thank you for stopping by and letting me know!

        Reply
    4. Sarah says

      August 18, 2021 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      Omg this is absolutely amazing! My whole family loved it. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    5. Suzan says

      August 18, 2021 at 8:25 pm

      5 stars
      Omg! this is absolutely amazing! It’s the first time I make it and def not the last! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    6. Zena says

      August 29, 2021 at 7:31 am

      i just made this and wow looks amazing can’t wait to try tonight. Thank you

      Reply
      • Lama says

        August 29, 2021 at 3:45 pm

        Amazing to hear! Thank you for the feedback! 😉

        Reply
    7. Diana says

      September 03, 2021 at 8:36 pm

      5 stars
      Sooo delicious and easy to make. This is gonna be one of my summer to go desserts! Thanks Lama

      Reply
      • Lama says

        September 05, 2021 at 10:15 pm

        Halawet El Riz is one popular recipe on my page! Glad you had the chance to try it 🙂

        Reply
    8. Mary says

      October 25, 2021 at 8:22 pm

      5 stars
      Made this today and it’s currently chillin in the fridge. Can’t wait to try it 😍

      Reply
      • Lama says

        October 27, 2021 at 7:44 pm

        I hope you enjoy ever bite! 🙂

        Reply
      • Dima says

        December 18, 2021 at 9:21 pm

        5 stars
        I’ve been searching for this recipe for a while and i’m glad i found it! My husband loved it and so did I. Thank you

        Reply
    9. Ray says

      August 21, 2022 at 8:04 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great dessert. It was a hit with the whole family. My little ones loved it too

      Reply

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    I'm Lama, welcome to my blog where you will find simple and diverse recipes your entire family will enjoy. I am honored to connect with you through the recipes I prepare!

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