16 July, 2024

Kunafa the Delicacy of the Middle East

Posted in : Recipes on July 16, 2024 by : admin

Kunafeh (also spelled Kanafeh or Kunafa) is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with thin noodle-like pastry or semolina dough, soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, and typically layered with cheese. Here’s a detailed recipe for making Kunafeh at home:

Ingredients

For the Pastry:

• 1 pound (450g) Kataifi (shredded phyllo dough) or finely shredded semolina dough
• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling:

• 2 cups (500g) of sweet cheese (like Nabulsi or Akkawi), or a combination of ricotta cheese and mozzarella
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar (optional, depending on the sweetness of the cheese)
• 1 tablespoon rose water or orange blossom water (optional)

For the Syrup:

• 2 cups (400g) sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon rose water or orange blossom water (optional)

For Garnish:

• Crushed pistachios or other nuts

Instructions

Prepare the Syrup:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Add Lemon Juice and Flavoring: Stir in the lemon juice and rose water or orange blossom water if using. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Prepare the Pastry:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Butter the Pan: Brush a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish or a similar-sized round baking pan with some of the melted butter.
3. Prepare the Dough: If using Kataifi, separate the strands and cut them into smaller pieces. If using semolina dough, simply break it up into fine pieces.
4. Mix with Butter: In a large bowl, combine the shredded dough with the melted butter, making sure all the strands are well coated.

Assemble the Kunafeh:

1. First Layer: Spread half of the buttered dough evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, pressing down lightly.
2. Add the Cheese Filling: Spread the cheese evenly over the dough layer. If using sweet cheese, you might want to rinse and soak it to reduce saltiness before using. You can also mix in the sugar and rose water/orange blossom water with the cheese.
3. Top Layer: Cover the cheese with the remaining buttered dough, pressing down lightly.

Bake the Kunafeh:

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
2. Add the Syrup: As soon as the Kunafeh comes out of the oven, pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot pastry. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes.

Garnish and Serve:

1. Garnish: Sprinkle the top with crushed pistachios or other nuts.
2. Serve: Kunafeh is best served warm. Cut it into squares or slices and enjoy.

Tips

• Cheese Selection: Traditional Kunafeh uses a special sweet cheese. If you can’t find it, a mix of ricotta and mozzarella works well. Drain ricotta well to avoid excess moisture.
• Butter: Ensure the dough is well coated with butter to achieve a crispy texture.
• Syrup: Pour the syrup over the Kunafeh as soon as it comes out of the oven for the best absorption.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Kunafeh!