Kunafa Kadaif Recipe - Middle Eastern Desserts - Heghineh Cooking Show

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil offers a dairy-free option with a similar richness.

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese reduces fat while maintaining creaminess.

pistachios

🥗Healthier: almonds

💰Cheaper: walnuts

Almonds are often more accessible and cost-effective.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: string cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces calories without losing texture.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Melt 1 cup of unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Add 1 package of kataifi pastry to the melted butter, tossing until evenly coated.

Spread half of the buttered kataifi in a greased baking dish, pressing down firmly.

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.

Spread the cheese mixture over the first layer of kataifi in the baking dish.

Top with the remaining kataifi, pressing down gently to compact it.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

While the kunafa is baking, combine 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of honey in a saucepan.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until syrupy.

Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of rose water and 1 tablespoon of orange blossom water.

Once the kunafa is baked, pour the syrup evenly over the hot pastry.

Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving, garnished with 1 cup of crushed pistachios.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens