Knafeh- Kunafah
By: Mimi Cooks
Published: Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 12:33am

Ingredients




1 package Kataifi (about 1 Kilogram)
1/2 pound butter, melted (227 grams)
1 pound Akkawi cheese (454 grams)
1/2 pound Mozzarella cheese (227 grams)
Sugar syrup
Pisatchios

Preparation

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2 Butter the baking pan. 3 If you are using Nabulsyya cheese, you need to soak it over night in water and change the water frequently to get rid of the high salt content in it. Also, If you are using Akkawi cheese, you need to get rid of the salt in it by soaking it for an hour or so, changing the water frequently until most of the salt is washed out. 4 In a large bowl gently loosen the knafeh dough . 5 Mix very well with the ½ pound of melted butter by rubbing the dough between your hands with the butter, adding it little by little. This process should take about 10 to 15 minutes. The dough should become fluffy and light- if you gather it with your hands and let go it should retain its fluffy texture. Cover the pan with 3/4 of the dough, press down lightly. 6 Add cheese evenly, then add the top layer of the dough, not as thick as the bottom layer. If using Ricotta cheese, spread in an even layer over the knafeh dough ,and then the mozzarella cheese, then cover with the remaining half of the dough. 7 Press down gently. 8 Bake until lightly golden, about 15 to 18 minutes on a 350 degrees F. 9 If you shake the pan, it should be loose and the edges are brownish, this means that the Knafeh is done. 10 Immediately pour cold sugar syrup evenly over the hot Knafeh, sprinkle the pistachios on top of it and serve hot. 11 You can add a quarter of a teaspoon knafeh orange dye in accordance with the dough while working on it with butter if it is available, but if you cannot find it, baking the knafeh to a golden color would make it look good to.

About


Al Kunafah (Knafeh) is one of the most well known sweets in Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon . There are two types of Knafeh, khishneh (Arabic خشنة) "rough": this looks like long thin threads or hair, and the other type is na'ama, na3meh, (Arabic ناعمة) "fine": this pastry is cut in very small and fine pieces.In Lebanon, people usually eat Knafeh as a breakfast food, stuffed in a special kind of pocket bread that is topped with sesame seeds, called Kaek, Ka3ek .
The city of Nablus in Palestine, is considered the most famous city for Knafeh making. Al Knafeh al Nabulsyya originated from Nablus and named after the city for the usage of specialty cheese in preparing this dessert. The usage of Nabulsyya cheese copmlements the taste and flavor of this dessert, as it melts properly and tastes perfect with the sweetness of the sugar syrup and Knafeh cooked dough. It is plain delicious and irresistible! 
There are many different recipes to prepare Knafeh, and it is usually called after the filling used, such as Knafelh with walnuts, with full cream or pistachios. Although it is easy to obtain Knafeh in most Arab countries in specialty restaurants, but home made Knafeh has a special taste that is wonderful. Ingredients for this simple and delicious dessert are found in local markets, even in the United States of America they are available at local supermarkets and Greek grocries, where it is called Katifi. 
Akkawi cheese is found in Middle Eastern stores. In case you do not find Akkawi or Nabulsyya cheese, you can replaced it with a mix of Ricotta and Mozzarella cheese, keeping in mind the quantities used in the original recipes. Of course the usage of sugar syrup is a must to complete this delicious dessert.