Kanafeh ( Kunafa) is a traditional middle Eastern dessert made with vermicelli soaked in sweet syrup and typically layered with cheese and nuts. It is also called the Queen of Arabic Dessert.

CREAM CHEESE FILLING

INGREDIENTS :

• 1.5 cup milk
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 5 tbsp of cream cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Mix together the milk, sugar, and cornstarch 
• Turn on the gas( medium flame)
• Keep stirring while cooking the mixture until it turns translucent 
• Turn off gas and keep aside to cool
• Add cream cheese to this cooled mixture.
• Your cream cheese filling is ready 

SUGAR SYRUP (CHASNI) 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1cup water
• 1cup sugar 
• 1tsp lemon juice
• 1tsp Rosewater or few drops of rose essence 

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Heat up the water and sugar until sugar melts 
• Now add the lemon juice
• Continue to cook on medium for few mins until 1 string consistency( slightly thickened)
• Switch off the flame and cool the syrup 
• Add rose water 
• Your sugar syrup is ready 

VERMICELLI

INGREDIENTS:

• One packet of roasted vermicelli (seviyan)
• ½ cup melted butter
• ¼ tsp of saffron food color 

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Put the roasted vermicelli in a bowl and crush them
• Add saffron color to the melted butter
• Mix the vermicelli and butter together using gloves( as saffron color may stain your hands)
• Mix well and keep aside

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

INGREDIENTS:

• Mozzarella cheese
• Chopped pistachios for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Take an ovenproof dish
• Layer half of the vermicelli at the bottom. Spread evenly 
• Set it well by using a spatula or back of your spoon. (Pack it in tightly)
• Now pour in the prepared cream cheese sauce 
• Spread it evenly using a spatula
• Add grated mozzarella cheese over the cream cheese layer
• Now add the remaining vermicelli on top of the cheese mix forming the top layer 
• Use spatula again to smooth the vermicelli layer 
• Bake in a preheated oven for 20 -25 minutes at 180C
• Once ready, remove from oven
• Pour the prepared sugar syrup onto the hot Kunafa distributing it evenly throughout 
• Garnish with chopped pistachios
• This delicious cheesy Kunafa is served warm 

NOTE:

• This Kunafa can be prepared on the stovetop too.
• Just use a greased  heavy bottom pan instead of an ovenproof dish
• Layer everything first and then place it on gas
• Cook for 10 -15 min on the medium-low flame on one side first
• Then flip over, cover and cook on  medium-low  for another side for 12-15 mins more
• Turn it out into serving dish then pour the sugar syrup
• Garnish with pistachios
• And it’s Ready

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