Good Stuff (Kalo Pragma)

A traditional Cypriot sweet treat, often made for special occasions, featuring semolina soaked in sweet rosewater syrup.

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Good Stuff (Kalo Pragma) - Recipe image

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INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Can (375g) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 kg coarse semolina
  • 2 cups (460g) sugar
  • 3 cups (750ml) lukewarm to warm water
  • 2 teaspoons (16g) baking powder
  • 1 level teaspoon mastic (ground)

For the Syrup

  • 1 kg sugar
  • 1 liter water
  • ¼ cup (65ml) rosewater

For the Topping

  • a little fresh milk (optional)
  • 1/3 cup (60g) blanched almonds

METHOD

For the Kalo Pragma (The Good Stuff):

  1. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients for the Kalo Pragma.
  2. Pour the mixture into a 30 cm round baking pan or a rectangular one of suitable dimensions.
  3. Set it aside for 2-3 hours or overnight. We want the semolina to absorb the liquid and swell up nicely.

Prepare the Syrup:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and place over heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Let it come to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 7-8 minutes. Add the rosewater and set aside to cool completely.
  2. When ready to bake, brush the surface of the Kalo Pragma with milk, if desired, and score it into squares or diamond (baklava-style) pieces. Place one blanched almond in the center of each piece.
  3. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and pour the cold syrup over the hot dessert, spoon by spoon. Let it soak up all the syrup well, then serve.