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Masoub (Banana and Flatbread Pudding)

Masoub banana flatbread pudding in a bowl
Photo by Julia Gartland

Masoub, also known as Masoob or Malikia, is a traditional dish renowned in Yemen and throughout the Arabian Peninsula. It is characterized by its simplicity, with basic yet flavorful ingredients such as ripe bananas, bread, and cream. While Yemen takes pride in its association with this dish, variations of it can be found in other regions such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Somalia. This dish is a genius use of day-old bread and of bananas that are past their prime, coming together in just a few minutes. It can be enjoyed as either a dessert or a breakfast dish.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    30 minutes

  • Yield

    4–6 servings

Ingredients

2 day-old 6" flatbreads (such as pita, paratha, naan, or khubz)
4 very ripe bananas, peeled
½ cup cold heavy cream
3 Tbsp. honey
½ cup pitted dates, chopped
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Tear 2 day-old 6" flatbreads (such as pita, paratha, naan, or khubz) into rough chunks, drop into a food processor, and pulse to coarse crumbs (be careful not to overprocess or you will end up with paste). You should have about 2 heaping cups.

    Step 2

    Transfer the crumbs to a medium skillet and toast over medium heat, stirring often, until lightly toasted, 2–4 minutes. Remove from the heat.

    Step 3

    In a large bowl, mash 4 very ripe bananas, peeled, with a fork until chunky. Add the toasted crumbs and stir until well mixed and a thick paste forms. Let sit for a few minutes to thicken further while you whip the cream and ready the garnishes.

    Step 4

    In a medium bowl, whisk ½ cup cold heavy cream just until it begins to hold peaks but can still be drizzled.

    Step 5

    Mound the bread-banana mixture in a shallow serving bowl and smooth into an even shape. Drizzle with the cream and 3 Tbsp. honey and sprinkle with ½ cup pitted dates, chopped, ¼ cup raisins, and ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted.

Cover of cookbook Setting a Place for Us with food and travel photos
Reprinted with permission from Setting a Place for Us by Hawa Hassan, copyright © 2025. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Food photography by Julia Gartland. All travel photos for Congo, El Salvador, Lebanon, and Liberia are taken by Riley Dengler. The Afghanistan travel photos are taken by Omer Khan, Mahab Azizi, and Belal Mostamandi. The Egypt travel photos are taken by Doaa Elkayd. The Iraq travel photos are taken by Aline Deschamps. The Yemen travel photos are taken by Somaya Samawl. Get the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.
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