Kunafa

Description
This recipe is for 6 servings.

Ingredients

 * 1 lb konafa pastry (found at Arabic or Mediterranean groceries)
 * ½ lb unsalted butter, melted

Syrup

 * 1¼ cups sugar
 * ½ cup water
 * 1 tbsp lemon juice
 * 1 tbsp orange blossom water

Cream filling

 * 4 tbsp ground rice
 * 2 tbsp sugar
 * 2½ cups milk
 * ½ cup heavy cream

Almond or pistachio filling

 * 2 cups almonds or pistachios, chopped
 * 2½ tbsp sugar

Directions

 * 1) Prepare the syrup by combining all ingredients and heating over medium heat.
 * 2) Let simmer until thickened.
 * 3) Stir in orange blossom water and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Cream filling

 * 1) Mix ground rice and sugar to a smooth paste with ½ cup milk.
 * 2) Boil the rest of the milk and add the ground rice paste little by little stirring continuously.
 * 3) Simmer until thick.
 * 4) Let cool, add cream and mix well.

Almond or pistachio filling

 * 1) Mix the chopped nuts with sugar.
 * 2) Put the konafa pastry in a large bowl and pull apart to separate the strands as much as possible.
 * 3) Pour melted butter over them and work it in thoroughly.
 * 4) Put half of the pastry in a large, deep oven dish.
 * 5) Spread either filling over it evenly.
 * 6) Cover with the remaining pastry and flattening out with the palm of your hand.
 * 7) Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes then increase temperature to 475 degrees for an additional 10 – 15 minutes longer until it is golden.
 * 8) Remove from the oven and immediately pour the cold syrup over the hot konafa.
 * 9) Serve hot or cold.