Ankara İrmik is a high-quality semolina made from carefully selected durum wheat. It has a fine, slightly coarse texture with a natural golden-yellow colour, making it a staple ingredient in traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cooking.
🍯 İrmik Helvası Recipe
🧾 Ingredients:
- 1 cup semolina (irmik)
- ½ cup butter (or ½ cup oil, or mixed)
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2½ cups milk (or water, or half milk half water)
- ½ cup pine nuts (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Prepare syrup
- In a pot, heat the milk and sugar together until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Keep it warm on low heat (do not boil hard).
2. Toast the semolina
- In a separate pan, melt the butter.
- Add pine nuts (if using) and sauté until lightly golden.
- Add the semolina.
- Stir continuously over medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty (about 10–15 minutes).
3. Combine
- Carefully pour the warm milk mixture into the toasted semolina.
- Stir quickly (it may bubble).
- Reduce heat to low.
4. Absorb & rest
- Cook until the liquid is fully absorbed and thickened.
- Turn off heat, cover the pan, and let it rest for 10–15 minutes.
5. Serve
- Shape with a spoon or scoop into bowls.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon or crushed nuts if desired