Best 3 Kunafa The Traditionally Desert Recipes
Kunafa, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert, is a delightful pastry made from thin shredded filo dough, filled with a sweet and nutty mixture of pistachios, walnuts, and sweet cheese, and then soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup. It is a popular dish during special occasions and celebrations, such as Ramadan and Eid. This versatile dessert can be prepared in various ways, each region having its own unique take on the classic recipe. From the crispy, golden-brown exterior to the soft, gooey interior, kunafa offers a symphony of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you prefer the traditional Nabulsi kunafa, the creamy Turkish künefe, or the crispy Lebanese atayef, there's a kunafa recipe for every palate. Discover the art of crafting this delectable treat with our carefully curated collection of kunafa recipes, each providing step-by-step instructions and delightful variations to suit your preferences.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
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
KUNAFA THE TRADITIONALLY DESERT
Kunafa is like the Middle East's version of a cheese danish. Its base is mild, stretchy white cheese--very like fresh mozzarella or paneer--with a topping of rich semolina pastry, all of it soaked in sweet rosewater syrup. The sweet is baked in giant rounds, and cut into pieces for serving. Although kunafa is popular in many parts of the Middle East, it is apparently native the ancient Palestinian city of Nablus, on the West Bank. Nablus Sweets in Bay Ridge takes great pride in the confection, which it spells k'nafee. This morning, around noon, the sweet was still in the oven. When it finally emerged, it was an orange-tinted wonder, leaking melted cheese and syrup, probably more than two feet in diameter. The counterwoman cut a drippy slice and weighed it: $6 for a portion that would feed three enthusiastic eaters. And the kunafa is delicious, the mild, slightly tangy cheese anchoring the sugary, nutty semolina on top. In 2009, a pastry chef in Nablus (palestine) made the world's largest kunafa. It was 243 feet long and weighed 3,891 pounds. It was shared among the residents of the city.
Provided by Walid Nazzal
Categories Palestinian
Time 2h30m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- 1. In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, add water, the 1 1/2 cups sugar and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Let simmer to a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat, let cool and add rosewater or vanilla.
- 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees Celsius Butter a 12-inch round, 2-inch high cake pan.
- 3. In a large bowl gently loosen kataifi. Mix very well with the 1/2 pound of melted butter. Place blanched almonds in a decorative pattern in the cake pan. Cover with half of the kataifi. Press down lightly.
- 4. If using the ricotta cheese, spread in an even layer over kataifi, then cover with the remaining half of the kataifi. Press down gently.
- 5. If using the raisins and walnuts sprinkle an even layer over kataifi. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Cover with the remainig half of the kataifi. Press down gently.
- 6. Bake until lightly golden, about 30 to 45 minutes. (Note: the reverse side will be more golden when you turn it out.)
- 7. Immediately pour cold sugar syrup evenly over the hot kunafa. Let cool completely to room temperature. Invert onto serving plate.
- 8. If using the ricotta cheese, kunafa should be served warm or hot. It may be difficult to invert with the ricotta filling so cut and serve from pan.
KUNAFA
Kunafa is one of the most ubiquitous pastries across the Middle East, and is such a simple dessert. It easy to make with vermicelli-like kataifi pastry.
Provided by Salma Hage
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F or 200ºC.
- Place the pastry in a bowl and pour over the melted butter. Use your hands to separate the strands and distribute the butter evenly among them.
- Pack half the buttery pastry into the base of an 8-inch (20-cm) round ovenproof pan, making sure some of the pastry rises up the sides. Press gently down all over with the base of a glass to ensure the pastry is packed down tightly.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the mozzarella and ricotta. Spread the cheese mixture over the pastry in the pan and cover with the remaining pastry. Pack down again with the base of a glass.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes until crisp and golden.
- While the pastry is baking, make the syrup. Put the sugar into a saucepan with the lemon zest and juice and ½ cup (4 fl oz. or 120 ml) of water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 8-10 minutes until the mixture reaches a syrupy consistency.
- Pour the syrup over the pastry as soon as it comes out of the oven, then allow to rest in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out on to a plate.
- Top with the chopped pistachios and rose petals, and cut into 4 slices to serve.
Tips:
- To make the syrup, use equal parts sugar and water. For a thicker syrup, use more sugar. For a thinner syrup, use more water.
- Bring the syrup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. This will help to dissolve the sugar and create a smooth, glossy syrup.
- To make the kunafa dough, combine flour, semolina, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add melted butter and yogurt and mix until a dough forms. The dough should be soft and pliable, but not sticky.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out each part into a thin sheet. Place one sheet in a greased baking dish. Spread the filling over the dough, then top with the second sheet of dough.
- Bake the kunafa in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the syrup is bubbling.
- Let the kunafa cool slightly before serving. Cut into pieces and enjoy!
Conclusion:
Kunafa is a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed on any occasion. With its crispy filo pastry, sweet cheese filling, and rich syrup, it's sure to be a hit with everyone. Whether you're making it for a special occasion or just for a weeknight treat, kunafa is sure to please.
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