Arab families just love their Kunafa
DUBAI – When it is Ramadan, then it’s time for Kunafa; the main dessert for Arab families during the holy month.
The favourite sweet dish, made of ingredients that differ depending from family to family, is served in different ways and can be eaten either hot or cold.
Huda Abdelkader, a professional cook here, explained the process of making Kunafa to Khaleej Times, adding that fermented liquid flour is the main component of the dessert.
The process: > Add three cups of milk in a bowl on medium heat, then add three teaspoons of plain four and three teaspoons of corn flour. > Stir the mix well, and then add four teaspoons of sugar. > Stir the mix again, and add 1.5 packs of any bran cheese triangles if you wish. > Mix and ensure there no lumps of cheese, and then stretch and open up 500gm of Kunafa. > Cut the Kunafa, place it in a food processor and blend it until it turns into small pieces. > Add 250gm of unsalted butter to the Kunafa . Place one half of the Kunafa on the pan, and add the filling. > Soak your hand in cold water and pat the filling evenly. > One should then pat the Kunafa down to secure the filling. Bake the Kunafa in the oven at 180 degrees (for about 30 to 45 minutes) until it becomes light golden. > Immediately pour cold sugar syrup evenly over the hot Kunafa, and let it cool completely to room temperature, before inverting it onto a serving plate. > Cut the Kunafa into squares. > If using raisins and walnuts sprinkle an even the layer over Kunafa with cinnamon and sugar and cover with the remaining half of the Kunafa, pressing down gently.
“Kunafa can then be served hot, warm, or cold.
If you wish, you can also add cheese to it. One can also add more or less sugar or syrup,” Abdelkader said.