Middle_Eastern
Middle Eastern - Breads and Pastries
Knafeh Flatbread / Pastry
Chef's Menu Description
Flaky, all-butter golden pastry filled with a delicately spiced sweet filling, baked until crisp and aromatic.
Ingredients
- • 300g kataifi pastry, shredded
- • 200g unsalted butter, melted
- • 400g akkawi or mozzarella cheese, shredded
- • 2 tbsp fine semolina
- • 1 1/2 cups sugar
- • 3/4 cup water
- • 1 tsp lemon juice
- • 1 tbsp orange blossom water
- • 2 tbsp crushed pistachios
Preparation Steps
1
Phase 1
Simmer the sugar, water, and lemon juice for 10 minutes, stir in the orange blossom water, and leave to cool completely.
2
Phase 2
Soak the akkawi in cold water 1 hour to desalt if needed, then pat dry, shred, and toss with the semolina.
3
Phase 3
Toss the shredded kataifi with the melted butter and press half of it firmly into a buttered tray.
4
Phase 4
Spread the cheese evenly over the kataifi base.
5
Phase 5
Cover with the remaining kataifi, pressing down gently.
6
Phase 6
Bake at 190C for 40-45 minutes until deep golden and the cheese is bubbling.
7
Phase 7
Pour the cool syrup over the hot pastry, scatter pistachios, and serve warm.