Kunafa

Make Kunafa at home

Ingredients

• 1 lb shredded kataifi pastry
• 3/4 cup melted butter or ghee
• 1 lb mild white cheese such as Nabulsi, mozzarella or akkawi, thinly sliced
• 1 cup ricotta or 1/2 cup cream (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp rose or orange blossom water
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
• 1 pinch orange food coloring (optional)

How it's made

1. Make the syrup by boiling sugar, water and lemon juice for 8 minutes until lightly thick, then stir in the rose water and cool.
2. Chop the shredded pastry into short strands and toss with melted butter until every strand is coated.
3. Press half of the pastry into a buttered 10-inch round pan.
4. Spread the cheeses evenly over the pastry, leaving a small border.
5. Cover with the remaining pastry and press down firmly.
6. Bake at 375F for 30 to 35 minutes until deep golden.
7. Invert onto a serving plate, spoon the cool syrup over the hot kunafa and scatter with pistachios.
8. Serve immediately while the cheese is still stretchy.