Kataifi Torte with Ricotta and Plums

1 pkg (about 340 g) kataifi (shredded phyllo dough), thawed ½ cup butter, melted 1 cup ricotta ¼ cup honey (or to taste) 2 tbsp cream 1 cup sugar 1 cinnamon stick a few green cardamom pods, optional 1 tsp vanilla Plums: 3 plums pitted and chopped ¼ cup sugar, or to taste thick plain yogurt, crème fraîche or whipped cream, optional

Preheat oven to 350˚F.

Pull apart the kataifi with your fingers, and cut with scissors so that it’s in roughly 2-inch pieces—just enough to make it easier to handle. Drizzle with the melted butter and toss to coat the phyllo well.

Press a bit more than half of the mixture into a deep pie plate, baking dish or cake pan. Use your fingers or the bottom of a measuring cup to press it down into the bottom and up the sides (it doesn’t have to be perfect). Stir together the ricotta, honey and cream and spread it over the bottom. Top with the remaining kataifi, pressing loosely to make an even surface.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until deep golden. As the torte bakes, bring the sugar to a simmer with ½ cup water and the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods. Simmer for a minute, remove from the heat and stir

in the vanilla. Set aside to cool. In a small saucepan or small skillet, cook the plums and sugar until the mixture is soft and saucy.

When the torte comes out of the oven, pour the syrup evenly overtop while it’s still hot. (Remove the cinnamon and cardamom with a slotted spoon first.)

Invert onto a plate and serve in wedges with the stewed plums and a dollop of yogurt, crème fraîche or whipped cream, if you like.

Serves 8.