Ingredient Notes:
Kataifi is shredded pastry dough that can be purchased at most Middle Eastern and Mediterranean grocery stores along with Nabulsi and Akkawi cheese.
Ingredient:
1 pack kataifi
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup Akkawi cheese, crumbled
1 cup Nabulsi cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup heavy cream
1 Tbsp cornstarch
Pistachios, to garnish
Orange Blossom Syrup
1 ½ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ cup water
¼ cup orange blossom water
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STEP 1
Preheat oven to 425ºF.
STEP 2
In a large bowl, use your hands to combine kataifi and butter until fully integrated and strands of pastry dough aren’t clumped together. Set aside.
STEP 3
In a small bowl, combine Akkawi, Nabulsi and mozzarella cheese. In a separate bowl, mix together heavy cream and cornstarch until combined. Pour heavy cream mixture into cheese bowl and mix until cheese is fully coated.
STEP 4
In a greased 9-inch baking pan, add a thick layer of kataifi-butter mixture. Make sure there aren’t any gaps on the bottom layer. Add a layer of the cheese mixture to completely cover the bottom layer of kataifi. Add a final layer of kataifi to enclose the cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.
STEP 5
Meanwhile, make the orange blossom syrup. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Simmer until syrupy. Add orange blossom water and simmer for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
STEP 6
Remove kunafa from oven. Garnish with chopped pistachios and drizzle with orange blossom syrup.
STEP 7
Serve piping hot or warm with more pistachios to taste.