Knafeh with Pistachios
Experience the delightful taste of Knafeh, a beloved Middle Eastern dessert, enhanced with the rich flavor of pistachios. This delectable treat combines crispy layers of thin pastry with a sweet, sticky syrup and nuts, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
- 350 grams of Knafeh dough
- 200 grams of unsalted butter, melted
- 300 grams of ricotta cheese
- 200 grams of crushed pistachios
- 200 grams of sugar
- 250 milliliters of water
- 1 tablespoon of rose water or orange blossom water
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a large bowl, mix the Knafeh dough with melted butter until well combined.
- In another bowl, blend the ricotta cheese with a pinch of salt and half of the crushed pistachios.
- Divide the Knafeh dough into two equal parts. Spread one half evenly in a greased baking dish to form the base.
- Spoon the ricotta mixture over the dough layer and spread it evenly.
- Cover the ricotta with the remaining half of the Knafeh dough, pressing down lightly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the Knafeh is baking, prepare the syrup by combining sugar, water, and rose or orange blossom water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Once the Knafeh is baked, remove it from the oven and pour the syrup evenly over the top, allowing it to soak in.
- Garnish with the remaining crushed pistachios and serve warm.