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Knafeh (Kunafa)

Name: Knafeh (Kunafa)
Total time: 40 min
Yield: Serves 6
Cuisine: Lebanon
Ingredients: 300g Kataifi Pastry; 200g Mozzarella Cheese; 100g Butter; 150g Sugar; 150ml Water; 1/2 Lemon; 2 tbsp Pistachios

Dessert

⏱ 40 min

👥 Serves 6

Difficulty ⭐⭐⭐

Shredded pastry wrapped around melted cheese and drenched in syrup — a glossy Lebanese cheese dessert.

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📖 The Story Behind This Dish

Hair-thin shredded pastry (kataifi) is layered around stretchy melted cheese and baked until golden, then drenched in sweet syrup while still hot. One of Lebanon's most iconic desserts, its appeal lies in the surprising harmony between salty cheese and rich, sweet syrup.

🌆 Where it's eaten: Sold fresh from specialty shops, and a hugely popular gift to bring to family and friends.

🥕 Ingredients (serves 6)

Kataifi Pastry 300g
Mozzarella Cheese 200g
Butter 100g
Sugar 150g
Water 150ml
Lemon 1/2
Pistachios 2 tbsp

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Break up the kataifi pastry and toss with melted butter.
Press half the pastry into the bottom of a baking pan.
Spread the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Cover with the remaining pastry, pressing down firmly.
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 25 minutes until golden on top.
Meanwhile, boil water, sugar, and lemon juice into a syrup; pour hot over the finished bake and garnish with pistachios.

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