Kuwait – Asida (Lump of Dough With Butter and Honey)

by Fariha Saeed

About the dish

Asida is a dish that has a lump of dough with honey and some butter. It is considered the most famous and delicious dish of Kuwait. The texture of it is so soft and gooey. The flavor of it is so appetizing that makes you drool. This is the traditional dessert of Kuwait so it is usually eaten by hands without using a spoon, fork, or knife. This dish is made by adding wheat flour, butter, and honey but butter and honey are optional. If you do not like that you can eat that alone. It has a unique way of eating. Traditionally it is eaten with the index and middle finger of the right hand. The word ASIDA comes from the Arabic word asad which means twist. It is traditionally eaten as breakfast or as a sweet dish. This dish is served at weddings, eid, or mawlid, etc. Asida is very popular in Yemen, Indonesia, Arabia, and many other countries. Some people like to have this as lunch because this dish is so light and delicious. The lump of soft and gooey dough with honey and melted butter tastes so good together. The texture of it is so important because if it does not has a gooey and soft texture then it will ruin the taste. The honey adds a sweetness to the dish and butter adds so appetizing aroma to the dish.

There is no comparison of this sweet dish. All the people should try this once. When you bite it the first thing you taste is the smooth dough with honey sweetness and some butter. The important thing about the dish is you have to knead it properly otherwise it will not have that texture. This dish a little time and effort to make. This dish can impress your guest if it is made properly.

History of the dish

The recipe of this dish (ASIDA) was found in the 10th century. The recipe of it was found in the book which is called KITAB – AL – TABIH (the book of dishes). This book was very famous in the early times and it has a lot of recipes in it. In ancient times, this dish was known as thick pudding cooked with butter and it also has dates in it but knows this dish does not contain dates.

Nutrition list

• 190 calories
• fat 6 g
• carbohydrates 180 g

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheat flour
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 5 tbsp honey
• 2-liter water

Cooking

Take a deep cooking pot and add 1/2 liter water and turn the flame medium. When it started to boil add the butter. Now take a pan and add the wheat flour to it and turn the heat low. After 5 minutes remove it from the heat and then add the wheat flour to the boiling water and stir it.

Press the dough to form a smooth lump and remove the little lumps. Now turn the heat low and after 10 minutes flip the dough and cook it for 10 minutes. Now remove the dough from the water and add 2 tbsp butter to it and then knead it for 15 minutes until a smooth dough is formed.

Now take a plate and rub some cold butter on the plate and then place the ASIDA in the center and garnish it with some honey.