Balousa Balousa is a cold set sweet. It is a Syrian dish which is usually eaten in Summer, being very cool and refreshing. It is also a good light dish for invalids. 4 cups of water ½ cup of cornflour ½ cup of sugar 1 tablespoon of orange-flower water Put 3 cups of water into a saucepan and bring it to the boil. Put the sugar and cornflour into a bowl and add 1 cup of cold water gradually, stirring all the time. When the water boils add gradually to the mixture; return to the pan and stir for 5 minutes. Add the orange-flower water and continue stirring for a further 15 minutes. Then leave the sweet to boil freely for 5 minutes. Turn out on to a slightly curved dish (if it is to be served cold). When set, blanched pistachio nuts or almonds are sprinkled over it. In Winter this sweet may be served hot, in which it is served in cups with a sprinkling of cinnamon and a handful of nuts in each cup. From "Middle Eastern Cooking" by Patricia Smouha middle eastern recipe index christina m k al-sudairy buy the book!