Kharouf El Knafeh

Kharouf El Knafeh is a delightful Lebanese dessert featuring layers of crispy phyllo dough filled with a sweet, cheesy mixture, then drenched in aromatic syrup. This indulgent treat is perfect for sharing and offers a unique twist on traditional kunafeh with its rich flavors and textures.

Ingredients

• Phyllo dough - 100 grams
• Unsalted butter - 50 grams, melted
• Mozzarella cheese - 100 grams, shredded
• Ricotta cheese - 50 grams
• Sugar - 50 grams
• Rose water - 1 tablespoon
• Pistachios - 30 grams, crushed
• Water - 100 milliliters
• Lemon juice - 1 teaspoon

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a bowl, mix the shredded mozzarella and ricotta cheese with 25 grams of sugar and rose water. Set aside.
3. Lay out half of the phyllo dough sheets (about 5 sheets), brushing each layer with melted butter before adding the next.
4. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the phyllo dough.
5. Cover the cheese mixture with the remaining phyllo sheets, again brushing each layer with melted butter.
6. Trim any excess phyllo dough hanging over the edges and tuck the edges in to seal the filling.
7. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the pastry into squares for easier serving later.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
9. While the pastry is baking, prepare the syrup by boiling water, the remaining sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
10. Once the pastry is done, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the syrup over it, allowing it to soak in.
11. Sprinkle the crushed pistachios on top before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 500
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Cholesterol: 30 mg
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.1 L

Health Benefits

• Provides a source of protein from the cheese.
• Contains healthy fats from the pistachios.

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