Mallabi and Sachleb- Two of my favorite Israeli treats
Do you know that feeling when you’re craving something super delicious, comforting, and special?
We all do… and for me when I want something like that, I reach for mallabi or sachleb. To be more specific, mallabi in the summer for a cool and refreshing treat and sachleb in the winter, the perfect food to warm up on a cold winter day (yes, we even have those in Israel!).
Mallabi and sachleb are actually relatives. Made with the same basic ingredients, mallabi and sachleb are traditional Middle Eastern treats, that you can find Israelis eating at home, at restaurants, on the street, and everywhere else.
Our Melting Pot box, contains Mei Zohar, one of the most special ingredients in these dishes, giving it a true authentic touch straight from the Middle East.
So, what exactly are mallabi and sachleb?
Are you looking for middle eastern treats?
The Israeli kitchen is full of unique sweets that bring the authentic taste of the Middle East straight to your home. Want to try them yourself from your own home?
Check out our wide range of gift boxes and memberships.
Shalom, I’m Maya, a native Israeli (aka sabra) and the founder of Israelibox.
IsraeliBox is a subscription box that brings Israel closer to you than ever.
I started Israelibox to give you the chance to experience Israel like Israelis do.
Mallabi
Mallabi is a traditional dessert that can take on a wide range of forms and flavors depending on your personal preference. For me, it feels like a combination of pudding and jello, together with the wonderful flavors of Mei Zohar (rose water or orange flower water), making it the perfect treat.
So, how do you make mallabi?
Ingredients:
1 liter milk (or any alternative milk that you prefer)
8 tbsp. corn flour
3 tbsp. rose water or orange flower water
250 ml. sweet cream
½ cup sugar
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Directions:
- Mix one cup of milk with the corn flour and rose water or orange flower water until the corn flour has melted completely.
- Heat a pot on a medium flame and add the remaining milk, cream and sugar until they come to a boil. Mix in the corn flour mixture and keep cooking (while stirring) for another 30 seconds, until it thickens.
- Remove from the flame and add to small bowls (for serving). Cover with saranwrap and let sit until reaching room temperature. Move to refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Serve cold with toppings that you like.
Now comes the fun part, the toppings! You can take your mallabi any direction you want with these fun ideas and more.
- Raspberry syrup (this is the most traditional way to eat mallabi!)
- Strawberry or cherry syrup
- Coconut, honey, and cinnamon
- Chocolate syrup
- Silan
- Be creative and add anything else you’d like including peanuts, nuts, coconut, etc.
Sahleb
You can think of schleb as mallabi’s cousin. Made from the same basic ingredients, sachleb is a form of mallabi that hasn’t quite settled yet and resembles the consistency of porridge or oatmeal.
Israelis love a bowl of sachleb in the winter, as comforting meal on a cool day, great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, whatever you prefer! I love to curl up on an Israeli winter day for a great Middle Eastern treat- sachleb in a mug, with a great book. You’re going to love it too, I’m sure.
Let’s dive into it:
Ingredients
1 liter milk (or soy milk/any other milk you prefer)
4 heaping tablespoons corn flour
3-4 tablespoons sugar
4 drops of “Mei Zohar”- rose or orange flower water- not more!
½ tsp. vanilla extract (or ½ vanilla stick)
Toppings:
4-5 tbsp. coconut
2 tbsp. maple syrup
Cinnamon
Directions:
- Put the coconut and maple syrup in a small pan on a low flame and roast slowly, stirring constantly, until the coconut is golden.
- Add 3 cups of milk and the sugar to a medium sized pot and mix. Bring to a boil.
- Mix the rest of the milk and the corn flour in a bowl until mixed well and there are no lumps. Add the Mei Zohar and vanilla extract.
- Pour the milk with the corn flour into the pot and continue mixing occasionally until the milk get thicker, but not too much. Take into account that the sachleb will continue thickening once poured into a cup.
- Pour into a cup/mug/bowl and decorate with the roasted coconut and cinnamon.
Bete’avon!
Adding mallabi and sachleb into your Israeli food repertoire is a great way to bring some authentic flavors to your kitchen with a super delicious treat. If you don’t have Mei Zohar on hand you can skip it- but trust me, you don’t want to J Mei Zohar is available in our Melting Pot box as well as an option for DIY boxes.
Want to try some of my other favorite sweet treats? Check out these recipes on the Israelibox website:
Are you looking for middle eastern treats?
The Israeli kitchen is full of unique sweets that bring the authentic taste of the Middle East straight to your home. Want to try them yourself from your own home?
Check out our wide range of gift boxes and memberships.
Shalom, I’m Maya, a native Israeli (aka sabra) and the founder of Israelibox.
IsraeliBox is a subscription box that brings Israel closer to you than ever.
I started Israelibox to give you the chance to experience Israel like Israelis do.
Join me in supporting Israel in a unique way while enjoying the great products our small businesses have to offer.
