Knafeh, a Middle Eastern dessert, features thin noodle-like pastry layered with cheese and soaked in sweet syrup. With roots tracing back to the Ottoman Empire, this delectable treat has evolved into various regional variations. Traditional methods involve baking or frying, resulting in a crispy exterior and gooey, cheesy interior. Today, it remains a beloved dessert enjoyed across the Middle East and beyond, often served during festive occasions and celebrations.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of kataifi dough (shredded phyllo dough)
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup of ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of orange blossom water (optional)
- 1/4 cup of chopped pistachios (for garnish)
Syrup:
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of orange blossom water (optional)
Preparation:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. In a bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, sugar, and optional orange blossom water. Mix well.
3. Spread half of the kataifi dough in the prepared baking dish, pressing it down gently.
4. Drizzle half of the melted butter over the kataifi dough.
5. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the dough layer.
6. Cover the cheese mixture with the remaining kataifi dough, pressing it down gently.
7. Drizzle the remaining melted butter over the top layer of dough.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
9. While the knafeh is baking, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
10. Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the orange blossom water, if using.
11. Once the knafeh is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the hot syrup over the hot knafeh.
12. Allow the knafeh to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
13. Garnish with chopped pistachios before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade knafeh!
Nutrition Value:
1. Kataifi Dough (Shredded Phyllo Dough):
- Calories: Approximately 160 calories per 2 oz (57g) serving
- Carbohydrates: About 20g per serving
- Protein: Around 3g per serving
- Fat: Typically 7-8g per serving
- Sodium: Varies, but generally low
- Cholesterol: Typically low
- Nutritional Benefits: Provides energy from carbohydrates, some protein, and a small amount of fat. Phyllo dough is low in cholesterol and may contain small amounts of vitamins and minerals.
2. Unsalted Butter, melted:
- Calories: Approximately 100 calories per tablespoon (14g)
- Carbohydrates: Negligible
- Protein: Negligible
- Fat: About 11g per tablespoon
- Sodium: Negligible
- Cholesterol: About 30mg per tablespoon
- Nutritional Benefits: Butter is a source of saturated fats and calories, providing energy. It also contains small amounts of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
3. Mozzarella Cheese, shredded:
- Calories: Approximately 80 calories per 1 oz (28g) serving
- Carbohydrates: Less than 1g per serving
- Protein: About 7g per serving
- Fat: About 6g per serving
- Sodium: Around 170mg per serving
- Cholesterol: About 15mg per serving
- Nutritional Benefits: Mozzarella cheese is a good source of protein and calcium. It also contains vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium.
4. Ricotta Cheese:
- Calories: Approximately 50 calories per 2 tablespoons (30g) serving
- Carbohydrates: About 1g per serving
- Protein: Around 3g per serving
- Fat: About 4g per serving
- Sodium: About 40mg per serving
- Cholesterol: About 20mg per serving
- Nutritional Benefits: Ricotta cheese is lower in fat and calories compared to many other cheeses. It's a good source of protein and contains calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A.
5. Granulated Sugar:
- Calories: Approximately 50 calories per tablespoon (12g)
- Carbohydrates: About 12g per tablespoon
- Protein: Negligible
- Fat: Negligible
- Sodium: Negligible
- Cholesterol: Negligible
- Nutritional Benefits: Sugar provides quick energy due to its high carbohydrate content but lacks significant vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients.
6. Orange Blossom Water (optional):
- Calories: Negligible
- Carbohydrates: Negligible
- Protein: Negligible
- Fat: Negligible
- Sodium: Negligible
- Cholesterol: Negligible
- Nutritional Benefits: Orange blossom water adds flavor to the dish without significant nutritional value. However, it may offer aromatic and therapeutic benefits.
7. Chopped Pistachios (for garnish):
- Calories: Approximately 160 calories per 1 oz (28g) serving
- Carbohydrates: About 8g per serving
- Protein: Around 6g per serving
- Fat: About 13g per serving
- Sodium: Around 0-5mg per serving
- Cholesterol: Negligible
- Nutritional Benefits: Pistachios are rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins (such as vitamin B6), and minerals (such as phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium). They are also a good source of antioxidants.
Syrup:
1. Granulated Sugar:
- Calories: Approximately 770 calories per cup (200g)
- Carbohydrates: About 200g per cup
- Protein: Negligible
- Fat: Negligible
- Sodium: Negligible
- Cholesterol: Negligible
- Nutritional Benefits: Sugar provides quick energy due to its high carbohydrate content but lacks significant vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients.
2. Water:
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0
- Protein: 0
- Fat: 0
- Sodium: 0
- Cholesterol: 0
- Nutritional Benefits: Water is essential for hydration and has no calories or macronutrients.
3. Lemon Juice:
- Calories: Approximately 4 calories per tablespoon (15ml)
- Carbohydrates: About 1.3g per tablespoon
- Protein: Negligible
- Fat: Negligible
- Sodium: About 1mg per tablespoon
- Cholesterol: 0
- Nutritional Benefits: Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C and provides a small amount of potassium. It adds acidity and flavor to the syrup.
4. Orange Blossom Water (optional):
- Calories: Negligible
- Carbohydrates: Negligible
- Protein: Negligible
- Fat: Negligible
- Sodium: Negligible
- Cholesterol: Negligible
- Nutritional Benefits: Orange blossom water adds flavor to the syrup without significant nutritional value. However, it may offer aromatic and therapeutic benefits.
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