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



