Aish El Saraya, the Syrian tiramisu
Yousra, originally from Syria, has brought her traditions with her to celebrate Christmas in Luxembourg with her daughter Leen. One of the highlights of their festivities is Aish El Saraya, a refined dessert made from bread soaked in syrup, topped with a fragrant cream and delicately decorated with pistachios.
For some families, Christmas is synonymous with warmth and conviviality, and this is particularly true for Yousra, a Syrian mother of the Druze faith. The 51-year-old woman considers Christmas to be a very special time of year.
The family, originally from Damascus, the capital of Syria, moved to Luxembourg six years ago. They brought with them Syrian traditions, which they now mix with local customs. Just like in the Grand Duchy, she also had a colourfully decorated Christmas tree in Syria. The difference is that the family didn't celebrate the spirit of Christmas, but rather the New Year, says Yousra. It was only when they arrived in Luxembourg that the family discovered and adopted the local customs.
Christmas Eve is a time for sharing as a family. At Yousra's home, multiculturalism à la luxembourgeoise extends right down to the dinner table. Surrounded by her three daughters, she also invites cousins and friends of various origins - Moroccan, Nepalese and Serbian. Although there is no typical traditional Christmas dish in this family, Ouzi, a Syrian dish of rice, meat, cashew nuts or almonds, accompanied by salad or yoghurt, is at the heart of the meal.
The dessert, Aish El Saraya, a delicious Arab speciality, completes the feast. This dessert, often compared to tiramisu for its layered structure, is made from bread soaked in syrup and topped with a fragrant cream, usually decorated with pistachios.
For Yousra and her family, the spirit of Christmas means more than just exchanging presents. For Yousra, these moments at the table remind her of what is essential. Her greatest Christmas wish is to see her daughters succeed in their studies. Last year, her daughter Leen was the only pupil in the whole of Luxembourg to achieve an Excellent grade in natural sciences at the Highschool.
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