Kunafa

Description
This recipe is for 6 servings.

Ingredients

 * 1 lb konafa pastry (found at Arabic or Mediterranean groceries)
 * 1/2 lb unsalted butter, melted

Syrup

 * 1 1/4 cups sugar
 * 1/2 cup water
 * 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
 * 1 tbsp Orange Blossom water

cream Filling

 * 4 tbsp ground rice
 * 2 tbsp sugar
 * 2 1/2 cups milk
 * 1/2 cup Heavy Cream

almond or Pistachio Filling

 * 2 cups almonds or pistachios, chopped
 * 2 1/2 tbsp sugar

Directions

 * 1) Prepare the syrup by combining all ingredients and heating over medium heat. Let simmer until thickened.
 * 2) Stir in orange blossom water and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
 * 3) cream filling: Mix ground rice and Sugar to a smooth paste with 1/2 cup milk. Boil the rest of the milk and add the ground rice paste litlle by little stirring continuously. Simmer until thick. Let cool, add cream and mix well.
 * 4) walnut or pistachio filling: Mix the chopped nuts with Sugar.
 * 5) Put the konafa pastry in a large bowl and pull apart to separate the strands as much as possible.
 * 6) Pour melted butter over them and work it in thoroughly.
 * 7) Put half of the pastry in a large, deep oven dish. Spread either filling over it evenly. Cover with the remaining pastry and flattening out with the palm of your hand.
 * 8) Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes then increase temperature to 475 degrees for an additional 10-15 minutes longer until it is golden.
 * 9) Remove from the oven and immediately pour the cold syrup over the hot konafa. Serve hot or cold.