Kunafa's Cheesy Affair: Picking The Perfect Cheese

Kunafa is a Middle Eastern dessert that combines shredded phyllo dough (kataifi dough) with stretchy cheese, which is then baked and soaked in a lightly scented sugar syrup. The dessert is often garnished with crushed pistachios and edible rose petals. While the traditional recipe calls for Nabulsi or Akkawi cheese, mozzarella is a common substitute, as the former options are not easily available everywhere and need to be soaked in water for hours to get rid of the excess salt.

Mozzarella Kunafa

Kunafa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that combines shredded filo/phyllo pastry strands (also called kataifi pastry) with a stuffed cheese filling. It is typically served during celebrations and during Ramadan, alongside other classic desserts.

The most authentic Kunafa recipes have a cheese filling made with Akkawi (Nabulsi) cheese. This slightly salty and stretchy cheese is named after the city of Akka (present-day Acre, Israel). However, since Akawi cheese is hard to find, mozzarella cheese is often substituted in. Mozzarella has a similar texture and stretchy cheese pull. For a creamier filling, you could combine the fresh mozzarella with ricotta or clotted cream.

To make Mozzarella Kunafa, you will need to prepare a simple syrup and shred and butter the kataifi pastry. Then, assemble the kunafa and bake it. Here is a step-by-step guide:

How to Make Mozzarella Kunafa:

Step 1: Prepare the simple syrup

For the simple syrup, you will need sugar, water, and lemon juice. Combine these ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Then, add rose water or orange blossom water for flavour, if desired. Simmer for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.

Step 2: Shred and butter the kataifi pastry

Defrost the kataifi pastry according to the package instructions, then shred it into smaller pieces using a food processor, a sharp knife, or a pair of kitchen shears. Transfer the shredded pastry to a large bowl and pour melted ghee or butter over it. Work the fat into all the strands, making sure to saturate every strand.

Step 3: Assemble the kunafa

Brush the bottom of your pan with melted ghee or butter. Take half of the prepared kataifi pastry and pack it into the bottom of the pan, pressing it down firmly and working it up the sides of the tray.

Next, prepare the cheese filling. Blot each round of mozzarella cheese between paper towels to remove excess moisture, then cut it into small cubes. You can also grate the cheese or mix it with thick cream for a creamier filling. Spoon the cheese mixture into the pan, spreading it out evenly.

Finally, take the remaining kataifi pastry and spread it over the cheese, covering it completely and packing it in lightly.

Step 4: Bake the kunafa

Bake the kunafa in a preheated oven at 350°F or 425°F (depending on the recipe) for about 40-60 minutes, or until the edges and top are deeply golden.

Step 5: Serve the kunafa

Immediately drizzle the kunafa with the simple syrup, reserving some syrup on the side for those who like it extra sweet. Allow it to cool and soak for about 10 minutes, then invert it onto a serving platter. Garnish with crushed pistachios, and serve.

You can also make mini kunafa in muffin tins or several smaller ones using mini tart pans for smaller gatherings. Reduce the baking time accordingly, and enjoy your Mozzarella Kunafa!

Akkawi Kunafa

Kunafa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that combines shredded phyllo dough with stretchy cheese, which is then baked and soaked in a lightly scented sugar syrup. The best cheese for kunafa is usually Akkawi cheese, which is chewy and a little salty, striking a nice balance between the saltiness and the sweet sugar syrup. However, Akkawi cheese is not easily available everywhere, so mozzarella is often used as a substitute.

To make Akkawi Kunafa, you will need the following ingredients:

• Akkawi cheese
• Kataifi pastry (shredded phyllo dough)
• Sugar syrup
• Butter or ghee
• Pistachios (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Sugar Syrup

The first step is to prepare the sugar syrup by combining sugar, water, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil and then simmer until it reaches a syrup-like consistency. You can also add rose water or orange blossom water for extra flavour. Set the syrup aside to cool.

Step 2: Prepare the Kataifi Dough

If you are using frozen kataifi dough, make sure to thaw it before shredding it into small pieces. You can use a food processor or shred it by hand. Once shredded, combine the kataifi dough with melted butter or ghee, making sure every strand is coated.

Step 3: Assemble the Kunafa

Grease your baking pan with butter or oil. Transfer half of the kataifi dough to the pan and spread it evenly, using your hands or a flat-bottomed object like a glass. Add the Akkawi cheese, spreading it evenly and leaving a slight edge around the perimeter. Finally, add the remaining kataifi dough on top and press it down lightly.

Step 4: Bake the Kunafa

Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the kunafa for 30-60 minutes, or until the top and sides are golden brown.

Step 5: Drizzle with Sugar Syrup and Serve

Once the kunafa is baked, immediately drizzle it with the sugar syrup, covering the entire surface. Allow it to cool and soak for about 10 minutes. Then, invert it onto a serving platter, garnish with crushed pistachios, and cut into pieces. You can also serve it directly from the baking pan.

Enjoy your homemade Akkawi Kunafa!

Nabulsi Kunafa

Nabulsi cheese is a traditional ingredient in Kunafa, a Middle Eastern pastry-like dessert. It is a salty cheese, often soaked in water for several hours to remove the excess salt. It is typically produced in Palestine and can be hard to source outside of the Middle East. For this reason, mozzarella is often used as a substitute.

Kunafa is a sweet, floral and cheesy dessert, combining regional cheeses, pistachios, cream and a floral syrup. It is commonly served in Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey, and is usually served for Iftar, the breaking of the fast during Ramadan.

To make Kunafa, you will need to prepare a sugar syrup and a cheese mixture, layering them with kataifi pastry. Kataifi pastry is shredded phyllo dough, which can be purchased from most Middle Eastern and Mediterranean grocery stores. The sugar syrup is made with sugar, water and often a floral ingredient such as rose water or orange blossom water. The cheese mixture typically includes Nabulsi cheese, but mozzarella is a good substitute. The cheese is shredded or cut into cubes and mixed with cream.

To assemble the Kunafa, the pastry is layered with the cheese mixture and baked until golden brown. The syrup is then poured over the pastry and it is garnished with pistachios.

Kunafa with ricotta

Kunafa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that combines shredded filo/phyllo pastry strands with a stuffed cheese filling, topped with crushed pistachios, and soaked in a sweet sugar syrup. While the traditional kunafa is made with "sweet cheese" or Nabulsi/Akkawi, ricotta is a suitable substitute when those options are not available.

Ricotta Kunafa Rolls

Ricotta Kunafa Rolls are a handheld delicacy. This variation of the traditional kunafa is made with four ingredients: fresh kunafa, ricotta cheese, ghee or clarified butter, and sugar syrup. The kunafa is cut into strands, stuffed with ricotta, rolled, and then baked. The rolls are then doused in sugar syrup and garnished with pistachios.

Ricotta Kunafa

A more classic preparation of the ricotta kunafa involves layering the kunafa and ricotta in a baking pan. The ricotta is mixed with Arabic-style clotted cream (eshta/ashta) and sugar, and then sandwiched between two layers of kunafa. The dessert is then baked and drenched in scented sugar syrup.

Tips for Preparation

When preparing kunafa, it is important to use good-quality ingredients. The success of the dessert depends on the quality of the ricotta—it should be creamy with soft curds. Ghee is preferable to butter because it yields a crunchier crust. However, if you prefer a softer, chewier kunafa, then butter or a combination of butter and ghee can be used.

Serving Kunafa

Kunafa is best served warm, and preferably on the same day that it is baked. However, leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and then rewarmed in the oven or microwave.

Kunafa with cream

Kunafa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that combines shredded phyllo dough (kataifi dough) with cheese, which is then baked and soaked in a sugar syrup. The cheese used in kunafa is typically Akkawi or Nabulsi, but mozzarella is a common substitute. For a creamier filling, mozzarella can be combined with ricotta or thick cream.

To make kunafa with cream, you will need the following ingredients:

• Kataifi dough (shredded phyllo dough)
• Mozzarella cheese (high moisture, at least 50%)
• Thick cream
• Sugar syrup
• Pistachios (for garnish)

Step 1: Prepare the Sugar Syrup

The first step is to prepare the sugar syrup by combining sugar, water, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil and then simmer until it reaches a syrup consistency. You can also add a tablespoon of rose water or orange blossom water for extra flavour. Set the syrup aside to cool.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Filling

For the cheese filling, shred or cut the mozzarella cheese into small cubes and mix it with the thick cream. You can also add a little sugar to the cheese mixture if it tastes too salty.

Step 3: Prepare the Kataifi Dough

If the kataifi dough is frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge and take it out about an hour before using. Break up the dough and place it in a food processor to shred it into small pieces. If you don't have a food processor, you can shred it by hand.

Step 4: Assemble the Kunafa

Grease your pan with butter. Take half of the kataifi dough and pack it into the bottom of the pan, using the flat bottom of a cup to form a slight edge around the perimeter. Spoon in the cheese and cream mixture, spreading it out evenly. Cover the cheese mixture with the remaining kataifi dough, lightly packing it in.

Step 5: Bake the Kunafa

Preheat your oven to 350F. Bake the kunafa for 40-50 minutes, or until the top and edges are deeply golden and crispy.

Step 6: Drizzle with Sugar Syrup and Garnish

Once the kunafa is baked, immediately drizzle it with the sugar syrup, covering the entire surface. Allow it to cool and soak for about 10 minutes. Then, invert it onto a serving platter and garnish with crushed pistachios. Cut into pieces and serve.

You can also make mini kunafa by following the same recipe but using a muffin tin to make individual servings. This recipe would make about 12 mini kunafa.

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