Knafeh Chocolate Bar: Middle Eastern Dessert Fusion

Indulge in the delightful flavors of Knafeh, a traditional Middle Eastern pastry that is both rich and tantalizing. This customized recipe will guide you through the process of creating a perfectly sweet and crispy dessert that is sure to impress your guests. With a fragrant combination of semolina, cheese, and a hint of rosewater, Knafeh is an excellent choice for celebrations or simply a sweet treat at the end of a meal. Below are the ingredients and instructions you will need to recreate this exquisite dish.

Knafeh Middle Eastern Pastry

Before we delve into the preparation, here’s a visual of what your delightful Knafeh will look like once completed:

Ingredients

To prepare Knafeh, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 pound of kataifi (shredded phyllo dough)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup of ricotta or unsweetened cheese, preferably Akkawi or Nabulsi
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of rosewater or orange blossom water
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional)
• Pistachio nuts, crushed, for garnish

Instructions

Follow these steps to create your Knafeh:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, shred the kataifi dough into smaller pieces, ensuring it is evenly separated.
3. Pour the melted butter over the kataifi and mix well to coat all strands evenly.
4. Take half of the buttered kataifi and press it evenly into the bottom of a greased baking dish to form the base.
5. In another bowl, mix the cheese with half of the sugar and the cinnamon, if using. Spread this mixture over the kataifi base.
6. Cover the cheese mixture with the remaining kataifi, ensuring it is spread evenly across the top.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
8. While the Knafeh is baking, prepare the sugar syrup by combining the remaining sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, adding the rosewater at the end.
9. Once the Knafeh is golden, remove it from the oven and pour the warm syrup over the hot pastry, allowing it to soak in.
10. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes, then cut into pieces and garnish with crushed pistachios before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Knafeh, an elegant dessert that is sure to captivate your taste buds and those of your guests!

source: silkroadrecipes.com