Best 3 Kanafeh Or Kunafa Or Kanafi Recipes
**Kanafeh: A Journey Through Sweetness and History**
Kanafeh, also spelled kunafa or kanafi, is a delectable pastry that has captivated taste buds across the Middle East, Turkey, and beyond. This indulgent dessert boasts a rich history steeped in tradition and cultural significance. Its origins can be traced back to the early Islamic era, with variations evolving over time to reflect regional preferences and culinary creativity.
Our exploration of kanafeh takes you on a journey through three distinct recipes, each offering a unique interpretation of this classic dessert. The traditional kanafeh recipe, a labor of love and patience, showcases a combination of shredded filo dough, sweet cheese, and a syrup made from sugar, rose water, and orange blossom water. The result is a symphony of textures and flavors that dance on the palate.
For those seeking a simpler yet equally delightful experience, the no-bake kanafeh recipe offers a delightful shortcut. This version utilizes store-bought filo dough and a pre-made syrup, streamlining the process without compromising on taste.
Finally, the kanafeh cheesecake recipe introduces a modern twist to this timeless dessert. This innovative creation combines the familiar flavors of kanafeh with the creamy richness of cheesecake, resulting in a truly unforgettable treat.
No matter your skill level or preferences, these recipes invite you to embark on a culinary adventure and discover the magic of kanafeh. From the traditional to the contemporary, each recipe promises a moment of pure indulgence and a taste of history and culture.
KANAFA
A favorite Palestinian dessert! Crunchy shredded phyllo dough is baked with a layer of creamy sweet cheese and then drenched in rosewater syrup. It's simple yet impressive. The cheese filling is traditionally made from Nabulsi cheese that is desalted. The ricotta-mozzarella mix is a great substitute, and lower-fat products can be used. If you have access to a Middle Eastern grocery, you can probably find kanafa dye, which turns the dough into the orange or reddish color that is the signature of kanafa.
Provided by Noura
Categories Desserts Specialty Dessert Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Use a food processor to finely chop the frozen, shredded phyllo dough. The strands should be about the size of a grain of rice. Pour the dough into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, and 1/3 cup sugar.
- Place the butter in a large liquid measuring cup or bowl with a spout. Heat the butter in a microwave until completely melted, and let it sit for several minutes until a thick white foam has formed on top. Clarify the butter by using a spoon to skim off the foam.
- Carefully pour the butter into the bowl of phyllo dough. Avoid pouring in the white milk solids at the bottom of the clarified butter. Use your hands to mix the butter and dough together. Make sure that the butter is absorbed by taking handfuls of the dough and rubbing it between your palms.
- Evenly spread the buttered phyllo dough into a 9x13-inch pan and firmly press it into the bottom and edges. Spread the cheese mixture onto the dough, avoiding the edges of the pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is slightly golden and the edges of dough are brown and bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes.
- While the kanafa is baking, prepare the syrup. Combine the water and 1/2 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the lemon juice. Simmer, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. (Do not let the mixture turn golden and caramelize.) Remove from heat and add the rose water; set aside.
- Remove the kanafa from the oven. Place a large platter or baking sheet over the baking dish. Using oven mitts, carefully invert the baking dish onto the platter so the phyllo is on top. Pour the syrup over the kanafa. Cut into pieces and serve while hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 663.5 calories, Carbohydrate 59.2 g, Cholesterol 115.8 mg, Fat 42.1 g, Protein 12.9 g, SaturatedFat 25.6 g, Sodium 277.7 mg, Sugar 33.7 g
KUNEFE
Kunefe, also known as knafah is a classic Middle Eastern dessert made of pastry filled with cheese that is then soaked in syrup. There are several regional varieties. The Turkish version, which inspired this recipe, uses the shredded phyllo called kadayif and sweet cheese (an unsalted melting cheese; unsalted mozzarella is a common substitute). The key to a good kunefe is having your syrup cooled to room temperature when it's time to pour it on the hot kunefe. (If the syrup is too warm it will turn the pastry mushy and cause it to fall apart). Kunefe is usually made in kunefe pans, which are available at specialty stores and online.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 1h
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- For the syrup: Put the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil, lower the heat to medium low and simmer until it thickens a bit, 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
- For the kunefe: Cut the kadayif into small pieces and put it in a large bowl. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter, add it to the bowl and mix with a spoon to make sure all of the kadayif pieces are coated in butter.
- Coat the bottoms of two 5-inch kunefe pans completely with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Spoon out a quarter of the kadayif mixture into one of the pans, spread and press down using a spoon. Crumble 1 ounce of the sweet cheese onto the kadayif, leaving about a 1/2-inch border on all sides. Top with another quarter of the kadayif mixture and press with your hands.
- Place the pan over medium-low heat and cook until golden on the bottom (there will be an aroma of toasted nuts), 4 to 6 minutes. Place the other prepared pan over the kunefe and flip (be careful, the pan is hot). Place it back on the heat and cook uncovered until the underside is golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat, drizzle 1/4 cup of the syrup all over the kunefe and top with 1 tablespoon of the ground pistachios. Re-butter the pans and repeat with the remaining kadayif, cheese, syrup and pistachios. Serve immediately with extra syrup for drizzling.
KANAFEH OR KUNAFA OR KANAFI
My Dad is Palestinian and this was his FAVORITE dessert. I had it as often as he could find it or convince my Mom to make it while I was growing up. I am surprised how difficult it can be to find this in middle eastern eateries. So I thought I'd finally post the secret recipe. It is simple and delicious. The cheese doesn't have to be goat, just on the sweet/not salty side, fresh mozzarella works, just soak it to remove some salt if needed.
Provided by sarsalam
Categories Dessert
Time 1h30m
Yield 1 dessert, 12-16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Make Syrup first:.
- Bring water and sugar to a boil, reduce heat.
- Add lemon juice and rose water (optional).
- Simmer until all sugar is dissolved, about 5-10min.
- Set aside to cool.
- Kanafi:.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Drain ricotta of excess liquid and mix with other cheese.
- Remove shredded phyllo dough from box and loosen shreds in a large bowl.
- Toss the shreds with melted butter to coat evenly.
- Arrange half of the buttered dough evenly on a 9X13 pan or baking dish.
- Spoon cheese mixture on top in an even layer.
- Place the remaining dough on top and press lightly with hands.
- Cover with foil and bake 30 min at 350°F.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 30 min or until crisp and golden .
- Serve warm or room temp with lemon syrup.
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients, especially the cheese. Fresh cheese will melt better and have a more delicate flavor.
- If you can't find kataifi dough, you can use shredded phyllo dough instead. Just be sure to shred it very finely.
- To get the kanafeh nice and crispy, fry it in hot oil until it's golden brown.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the kanafeh. Otherwise, it will not cook evenly.
- Kanafeh can be served hot or cold. If you're serving it cold, let it cool completely before slicing.
Conclusion:
Kanafeh is a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's perfect for special occasions or everyday gatherings. With its unique flavor and texture, kanafeh is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for something sweet to make, give kanafeh a try!
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