Knafeh Recipe

Knafeh Recipe is a Middle Eastern sweet dish combination of crunchy pastry and soft, sweet cheese, then soaked in simple syrup. This is a typical dish of Arabia, Palestine, and other Middle Eastern regions, this dessert has become famous throughout the world, especially among Middle Eastern culinary lovers, by captivating the taste buds because of its unique texture and rich flavor.

Have you ever tried this dessert? If so, how does it feel? delicious isn’t it? If you have never tried eating it, this is a coincidence, because here we will discuss the Knafe Recipe. Making this dessert doesn’t waste much time. The time to prepare this dessert is 15 minutes, while the time to make it is an hour. The ingredients for making this are available in supermarkets.

The key ingredients in Knafeh Recipe are Kataifi (decomposed pastry dough), cheese filling, simple sugar syrup, and butter.

An overview of how to make Knafeh is preparing ingredients such as Kataifi, and cheese filling. Making the top layer, baking, and finally serving.

Tips for trying Knafeh Recipe

These are the things you must pay attention to when trying the Knafeh Recipe.

Prepare Materials Carefully

Make sure you have all the necessary materials before starting. This includes Kataifi (decomposed pastry dough), cheese (usually Akkawi or an alternative such as mozzarella), butter, sugar syrup, and additional ingredients for garnish.

Use the Correct Kataifi

Make sure the Kataifi (decomposed pastry) is fresh and soft. When preparing the Kataifi for the bottom and top layers of the Knafeh, make sure to flatten and shape them carefully to ensure good structure after baking.

Choose Cheese Wisely

Choose the right cheese for the Knafeh filling. Akkawi cheese is a traditional choice because of its ability to melt well during the baking process, providing a soft and tasty texture. If you can’t find Akkawi cheese, using mozzarella can also get good results.

Use Enough Butter

Butter is the key to making Knafeh crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Make sure to coat each layer of Kataifi evenly with butter before baking it.

Bake at the Right Temperature

Bake the Knafeh in a preheated oven at a fairly high temperature (around 175-200°C). Make sure to monitor the baking process so it doesn’t get too brown on top. Baking time can vary depending on each oven, but around 30-40 minutes is usually enough to reach golden brown.

Be Careful When Flipping This Dish

After baking the Knafeh, let it cool for a moment before inverting it onto a serving plate. Use a cutting board larger than the Knafeh pan and carefully turn the Knafeh over so the bottom layer forms an attractive top.

Pour the Simple Sugar Syrup Evenly

Immediately after turning the Knafeh, pour the prepared simple sugar syrup evenly over it. This syrup will soak into the layers of Kataifi and provide a sweetness that blends with the cheese.

What is special about this dessert?

Cultural Heritage and Traditions

Knafeh is not just a dessert but also has strong cultural heritage value. Making and serving this dish often involves traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation, reflecting the rich culture and togetherness of sharing this special dish during special gatherings.

Global Popularity

With the spread of the Middle Eastern diaspora throughout the world, Knafeh has gained significant global popularity. Restaurants and cafes in various countries often serve Knafeh as an exotic and appetizing dessert option. This shows the universal appeal of Knafeh’s unique, unrivaled taste.

Flexibility in Presentation

Serving Knafeh can be in various shapes and sizes, from individual portions to large dishes suitable for sharing. This makes it ideal for a variety of gatherings, from family events to formal events. Serving it hot or cold also adds flexibility.

Nutrient Content

Carbohydrates: the carbohydrates in Knafeh come from Kataifi (decomposed pastry) and sugar.

Proteins: Knafeh also contains protein, especially from the use of cheese as a filling.

Calories: Knafeh is a high-calorie food because it contains a lot of sugar. There is fat from butter and cheese.

Fat: The fat content in Knafeh comes from the use of butter to coat the Kataifi before baking.

Let’s try Knafeh Recipe!

Ingredients of Knafeh

• 300 g Kataifi shredded phyllo pastry: this is the base of Knafeh, giving it a unique texture. Kataifi is finely broken down to create a crispy, golden crust.
• 1 cup Butter melted: use it abundantly to coat the Knafeh before baking, giving it softness and a distinctive taste.
• Yellow Food Gel Coloring optional: to give a distinctive color to the top of this dish.
• 300 g Mozzarella Cheese shredded: to give a melting effect after serving.
• 150 g Ricotta Cheese: white cheese that softens when baked and goes well with the sweetness of this dessert.

Simple Syrup

• 1 cup Water: the main ingredient for making simple sugar syrup.
• 1 1/4 cup Sugar: to provide a sweet taste to simple sugar syrup.
• ½ tbsp Lemon Juice: gives this dessert a sweet taste, moisture, and a fragrance.

Garnish

• Coarsely Ground Pistachio: provides a crunchy texture and its green color gives an attractive appearance to the dish.
• Edible Flower: provides a crunchy texture and its green color gives an attractive appearance to the dish.

How to Make Knafeh Recipe

Simple Syrup

First, place water and sugar in a saucepan, heat over medium heat let it boil,  and let it simmer until thicken.

Second, remove from the heat then add lemon juice, mix well, and let it cool.

Knafeh

First, mix well mozzarella cheese with ricotta cheese. Mix food gel coloring to melted butter and set aside.

Second, chop the Kataifi then transfer it to big mixing bowl, pour the melted butter mixture, and mix until all the Kataifi is well coated with butter.

After that, preheat the oven to 350℉ or 175℃. Brush the 8-inch or 20 cm round baking pan with butter then place ⅔ Kataifi mixture into it.

Press down the Kataifi mixture on the bottom and the sides of the round baking pan with a hand then press firmly using a measuring cup.

Add all the cheese mixture then top it with the remaining Kataifi mixture and press gently. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the pastry is nice and golden.

Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Using a knife, run it through the sides of Knafeh so it will be easy to release from the baking pan.

Place the serving plate over the baking pan then flip it. Pour the syrup all over the Knafeh and leave the syrup for serving.

Lastly, garnish it with pistachio and edible flowers.

Enjoy your dessert!

Serving Recommendations

Knafeh is a delicious and sweet dessert, and there are several ways to enjoy it to suit individual tastes and preferences.

Serve It While Warm

Serve Knafeh most often while warm, or freshly baked. When still warm, this dish has a crunchy texture on the outside and soft cheese on the inside, as well as simple fresh sugar syrup. This is the traditional way to enjoy Knafeh and makes it taste the most delicious.

Add Garnish with Almonds or Pistachio

To add a little contrast in texture and taste, it’s best to sprinkle almonds or Pistachio on top of the Knafeh.

Serve it with Tea or Coffee

In some cultures, serving Knafeh is often a delicious afternoon snack, usually served with a cup of hot tea or coffee. Mint tea or strong Arabic coffee are excellent choices due to their balanced taste and refreshing aroma.

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