Kunafa

Description

Kunafa

This recipe is for 6 servings.

Ingredients

• 1 lb konafa pastry
• 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.