Kunafa Sweet: A Delicious Middle Eastern Dessert
Introduction
Kunafa sweet is a popular Middle Eastern dessert made with shredded phyllo dough, cheese, and sweet syrup. It is a delicious and rich dessert that is perfect for special occasions or any time you crave something sweet. In this article, we will share a detailed recipe for making kunafa sweet at home, along with information about its nutritional value.Ingredients
For making kunafa sweet, you will need the following ingredients:- 1 lb. kunafa dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp. rose water
- 1 tbsp. orange blossom water
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
Kunafa Dough
You can find kunafa dough in Middle Eastern grocery stores or online. If you can't find it, you can substitute kataifi dough, which is similar but not exactly the same. If you use kataifi dough, you will need to cut it into small pieces before using it.Instructions
Here is how to make kunafa sweet at home:- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with butter.
- Take the kunafa dough and break it up into small pieces with your hands. Mix the melted butter into the dough until it is evenly coated.
- Press half of the kunafa dough mixture into the bottom of the baking pan, making sure it is evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, rose water, and orange blossom water.
- Spread the cheese mixture over the kunafa dough in the baking pan.
- Sprinkle the chopped pistachios and almonds over the cheese mixture.
- Press the remaining kunafa dough mixture over the top of the nuts, making sure it is evenly distributed.
- Bake the kunafa sweet in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until it is golden brown on top.
- While the kunafa is baking, make the syrup. Combine 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tbsp. lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the syrup simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and let cool.
- When the kunafa is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the kunafa into squares or diamonds.
- Pour the syrup over the kunafa, making sure the syrup is evenly distributed.
- Serve the kunafa sweet warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
Kunafa sweet is a rich and indulgent dessert that should be enjoyed in moderation. Here is the nutritional information for one serving of kunafa sweet (based on a recipe that serves 12):- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 260mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 41g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 28g
- Protein: 9g