Semolina Pudding

You may never had heard of semolina pudding, but it is a popular dish across the water in the UK, where it is served as a dessert after a school lunch. Find out more about this comforting, creamy treat.

A traditional school lunch in the UK is often followed by this traditional school 'pudding' (the British word for 'dessert').

Warming and nourishing, this dish contains lots of milk, giving it a smooth, creamy texture that's ideal for kids (just like British Rice Pudding).

Semolina pudding has always been a popular dish in Europe and actually dates back to Roman times. A Roman recipe book from around the 4th century AD refers to a semolina dish mixed with almonds, raisins and raisin wine.

Semolina pudding can be served hot or cold and is great either way, although when it's cold it tends to 'set' and be less runny! You can reheat cooked, cooled semolina by putting it in a saucepan with a little extra milk, then warming it gently over a low heat and stirring well.

And it doesn't JUST have to be served as a dessert - some people enjoy it for breakfast, instead.

What is semolina?

Semolina is made up of grains of finely milled wheat. Durum wheat - one of the world's most popular types of wheat - is used to produce semolina.

Tips for making semolina pudding

Semolina is meant to be smooth, so if yours develops lumps, try breaking them up with a whisk.

It also tends to thicken as it cooks, so if your semolina seems too runny, just cook it a little longer. If you've OVER cooked it and it's too thick, just stir in a bit of extra milk to loosen it up.

Variations

Whilst this simple dish of semolina, milk and sugar tastes great, there are lots of ways to make it even more interesting.

Try adding:

• Fresh fruit (try chopped ripe peaches or sweet juicy berries)
• Cooked fruit (applesauce is a good option)
• Dried fruit (raisins work well, as do chopped, dried apricots)
• Chocolate (either add cocoa powder to the dry semolina before you start cooking, or grate chocolate over the finished dish at the end)
• Coconut (sweetened dessicated coconut tastes amazing)
• Zest (try lemon, lime or orange zest with a dash of freshly squeezed juice).
• Aromatic spices (nutmeg and cinnamon are our favorites - cardamom works well too!)

More school puddings 

Here are some more delicious desserts traditionally served after lunch in UK schools

Rhubarb Crumble

Sticky Toffee Pudding 

Spotted Dick

Bread and Butter Pudding

Chocolate Cornflake Cakes