Kunafa Pastry with Ricotta Cheese
Nadia Terry, FE teacher, Moroccan cooking and baking tutor
In this session, Moroccan cook Nadia Balmajdoub shows how to make the popular Middle Eastern dessert of Kunafa (also known as knafeh or kunefe), featuring layers of crispy, shredded pastry with a sweet cheese filling, soaked in a sugar-based syrup. These sweet pastries can be eaten hot or cold.
Preparation
Set out your ingredients and equipment.
Video time
45-60 minutes
Equipment:
• A muffin tin tray
• 2 bowls
• A wooden spoon
Ingredients:
• 1 pack of kunafa pastry (350g)
• 1 pot of ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp of lemon zest only
• Syrup or runny honey
• 1 pack of unsalted butter
• 60g pistachio nuts
Recipe:
1. Preheat the oven at 180 degrees.
2. Melt the butter and skim off the froth until the butter is clear of any milk.
3. Cut the kunafa pastry into small pieces.
4. Place the ricotta cheese in a bowl, add the lemon zest and mix well.
5. In another bowl, place the chopped kunafa pastry and add the butter (leave some for later).
6. Mix well to make sure the pastry is coated well with the butter.
7. Take a muffin tin, brush with butter then place the pastry in each hole, making sure it is well pressed.
8. Place in the oven for about 5 mins.
9. Take it out and place about 1 tbsp of the cheese in the middle.
10. Put some more kunafa pastry on the top then tap lightly to press it on.
11. Drizzle the left-over butter on the top, if needed.
12. Place back in the oven for another 10-15 mins until golden and crispy.
13. Once done, take out of the oven and give them a good drizzle of the syrup (to your liking). Leave to soak for at least 30 mins (if you don’t have time, serve hot with the syrup).
14. Once the syrup is soaked, place on a serving plate and decorate with pistachios or any kind of nuts you prefer and enjoy.