Künefe

Künefe is a delightful Turkish dessert made with shredded pastry and melted cheese, soaked in sweet syrup. This warm, decadent treat is perfect for sharing and offers a unique combination of textures and flavors.

Ingredients

• Künefe pastry (kataifi) - 200 grams
• Unsalted cheese (preferably mozzarella or a similar melting cheese) - 100 grams
• Butter - 50 grams
• Sugar - 100 grams
• Water - 100 ml
• Rosewater (optional) - 1 teaspoon
• Pistachios (finely chopped) - 30 grams

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water, then bring to a boil to make the syrup. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly. Optionally, stir in rosewater and set aside to cool.
3. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the shredded künefe pastry and stir to coat evenly.
4. Press half of the buttered pastry into the bottom of a greased baking dish (about 20 cm diameter).
5. Evenly spread the shredded cheese over the pastry layer, then top with the remaining pastry, pressing down gently.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
7. Once baked, remove from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup over the künefe, allowing it to soak in.
8. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped pistachios and serve warm.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 30 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.1 L

Health Benefits

• Provides a quick source of energy due to its carbohydrate content.
• Contains protein from cheese, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.

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