KUNAFA
Kanafeh ( Kunafa)
Traditional middle Eastern dessert made with vermicelli soaked in sweet syrup and typically layered with cheese and nuts
It is also called the Queen of Arabic Dessert
CREAM CHEESE FILLING
INGREDIENTS :
1.5 cup milk
3 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp sugar
5 tbsp of cream cheese
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix together the milk, sugar, and cornstarch
Turn on the gas( medium flame)
Keep stirring while cooking the mixture until it turns translucent
Turn off gas and keep aside to cool
Add cream cheese to this cooled mixture.
Your cream cheese filling is ready
SUGAR SYRUP (CHASNI)
INGREDIENTS:
1cup water
1cup sugar
1tsp lemon juice
1tsp Rosewater or few drops of rose essence
INSTRUCTIONS:
Heat up the water and sugar until sugar melts
Now add the lemon juice
Continue to cook on medium for few mins until 1 string consistency( slightly thickened)
Switch off the flame and cool the syrup
Add rose water
Your sugar syrup is ready
VERMICELLI
INGREDIENTS:
One packet of roasted vermicelli (seviyan)
½ cup melted butter
¼ tsp of saffron food color
INSTRUCTIONS:
Put the roasted vermicelli in a bowl and crush them
Add saffron color to the melted butter
Mix the vermicelli and butter together using gloves( as saffron color may stain your hands)
Mix well and keep aside
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
INGREDIENTS:
Mozzarella cheese
Chopped pistachios for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
Take an ovenproof dish
Layer half of the vermicelli at the bottom. Spread evenly
Set it well by using a spatula or back of your spoon. (Pack it in tightly)
Now pour in the prepared cream cheese sauce
Spread it evenly using a spatula
Add grated mozzarella cheese over the cream cheese layer
Now add the remaining vermicelli on top of the cheese mix forming the top layer
Use spatula again to smooth the vermicelli layer
Bake in a preheated oven for 20 -25 minutes at 180C
Once ready, remove from oven
Pour the prepared sugar syrup onto the hot Kunafa distributing it evenly throughout
Garnish with chopped pistachios
This delicious cheesy Kunafa is served warm
NOTE:
This Kunafa can be prepared on the stovetop too.
Just use a greased heavy bottom pan instead of an ovenproof dish
Layer everything first and then place it on gas
Cook for 10 -15 min on the medium-low flame on one side first
Then flip over, cover and cook on medium-low for another side for 12-15 mins more
Turn it out into serving dish then pour the sugar syrup
Garnish with pistachios
And it’s Ready