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Semolina is made from the endosperm (the core or heart) of Durum Wheat, coarsely ground. It is then sifted. The coarser material becomes Semolina, the finer stuff becomes Durum Flour. The Durum Flour is the texture of other flours, whereas the Semolina is closer in texture to granulated white sugar or coarse cornmeal.
Semolina is used to make pasta, couscous and speciality breads. Durum Flour is preferred for noodles.
In the south of Italy, in areas such as Sicily, finely-ground Semolina is often used along with white flour 50/50 to make bread. The bread ends up quite dense, but very flavourful.
Elsewhere in Italy, though, it is only used for pasta. It is not used in pizza dough.
Italian semolina textures may be different from North American ones. Most American semolina is very coarse, as it is "chipped" rather than ground. European milling machines for Semolina, however, can be set to different textures based on the specifications of who has ordered it.
If you have bought coarse North American semolina and suspect (or know) that a finer one is actually wanted in a recipe, such as in Sicilian baking, then you can whizz it in a blender.
Cooking Tips
Semolina cooks up fluffier than Farina, when cooking it as a porridge.
Small portions of Semolina, up to 25%, can be swapped in for regular flour in bread. But beyond that, the loaves won't rise well, and will be heavy. Higher proportions can be used, up to 60%, if the bread is made with a sponge dough (i.e. biga) method.
Equivalents
1 cup semolina = 6 oz / 175g
Also called:  Semoule de blé dur (French) Hartweizengrieß (German) Semola di grano duro (Italian) Sémola de trigo duro (Spanish)
See Also
Cream of Wheat, Durum Flour, Durum Wheat, Farina, Italian Flours, Sooji
Other entries for Wheat Flour
All-Purpose Flour, Baker's Flour, Bread Flour, Cake Flour, Farina, Farine de Froment, Gluten Flour, Graham Flour, Instant Flour, Pastry Flour, Plain Flour, Self-Rising Cake Flour, Self-Rising Flour, Semolina, Stone-Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Wheat Flour, Whole Wheat Flour
Other entries for Flour
Ash Content of Flour, Bean Flours, Black Millet Flour, Bromated Flour, Chapati Flour, Corn Flours, Durum Flour, Flax Flour, Flour Grades, French Flours, German Flours, Italian Flours, Malanga Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Matzo Meal, Millet Flour, Nut Flours, Oat Flour, Okonomiyaki Flour, Potato Flour, Quinoa Flour, Rice Flour, Rye Flour, Seasoned Flour, Sorghum Flour, Spelt Flour, Stone Ground Flour, Water Chestnut Flour, Whole Durum Flour
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