KUNAFA

            KUNAFA WITH CREAM FILLING 

KUNAFA WITH CREAM FILLING 

Ingredients 

1 package (500g) Kunafa dough 

1 Cup Melted Butter 

2 Cups Milk

2 Tbsp Sugar 

3 Tbsp Semolina 

2 Tbsp Cornflour 

100g Cream Cheese 

1/2 Cup Fresh Cream

Few drops Rose Essence or 3 tbsp  Rose Water or Orange Blossom Water 

Chopped Pistachio for garnish 

For Simple Syrup 

1 Cup Sugar 

2 Cups Water 

Few drops Lime/Lemon juice 

Few drops of Rose Essence or 2 Tbsp Rose Water or Orange Blossom Water 

DIRECTIONS 

Place the water and sugar in a pan and bring to a boil. Add the lime/lemon juice. Do not stir. Swirl the pan from time to time. After a few minutes place a few drops on a saucer and rub between your fingers to check consistency. It should feel sticky but not form a thread. Once done, take off heat. Wait for syrup to lose heat and then add the rose essence/ rose water/orange blossom water. Set aside to cool completely. 

DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FILLING 

Place milk, sugar, cornflour, and semolina in a pan. Blend with hand whisk. Place on medium heat and cook while steering continously until it thickens. The process takes only a few minutes. Take pan off heat. Wait for it to cool down a bit. While it's still slightly hot, add the cream and the cheese and whisk well until all smooth. Add the rose essence/rose warer/orange blossom water. Set aside to cool completely. 

FOR THE DOUGH 

Separate and shred the kunafa strands in a wide mouthed bowl. Pour in the melted butter. Toss the strands in the butter until all strands well coated. 

Slightly grease your baking tray. Spread out half the quantity of the Kunafa in the tray and press well to pack firmly. Drop the prepared cream over in a thick layer and using a wet spoon (or wet hand) spread out evenly. Add the rest of the Kunafa over the cream. 

Place in preheated oven at 200C. (I baked at 220C as I used a fan oven) Bake for about 40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately pour the sugar syrup over. Cut into desired pieces. Serve warm. 

NB: You can prepare mini kunafa by using cup cake or muffin tray. For filling, you can use mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese (or both). Or chocolate chunks, or Nutella, or even Mango puree.