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easy kunafa recipe for beginners homemade knafeh with mozzarella and pistachios

Easy Kunafa Recipe for Beginners (Homemade Knafeh with Mozzarella)

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 10 8-10
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern / Arabic
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Sugar Syrup
  • 2½ cups 500g granulated sugar
  • 1¼ cups 300ml water
  • 1 tbsp 15ml lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp 15ml rose water
  • 1 tbsp 15ml orange blossom water (optional)
  • Kunafa Base
  • 1 lb 454g kataifi dough (shredded phyllo), thawed
  • 1 cup 226g melted butter or ghee (+ extra for greasing)
  • Cheese Filling
  • 14 oz 400g low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 7 oz 200g ricotta cheese (or more mozzarella)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Garnish
  • ½ cup 60g pistachios, finely chopped

Method
 

  1. Make Syrup: In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, and lemon juice. Boil then simmer 10-12 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and add rose & orange blossom water. Keep warm.
  2. Prepare Dough: Loosen kataifi strands in a bowl. Pour melted butter/ghee over it and toss until every strand is well coated.
  3. Cheese Filling: Mix shredded mozzarella, ricotta, and salt. Set aside.
  4. Assemble:
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  6. Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33cm) pan.
  7. Press half the buttered kataifi into the bottom.
  8. Spread cheese filling evenly.
  9. Top with remaining kataifi and press gently.
  10. Bake: Bake 25-35 minutes until deep golden and crispy. (Optional: broil last 2-3 minutes for extra color.)
  11. Finish: Pour warm syrup generously over hot kunafa. Let rest 5-10 minutes. Garnish with chopped pistachios. Serve warm.