Knafeh – Middle Eastern cheese pastry

The ultimate Middle Eastern dessert – shredded filo (kadayif) filled with stretchy cheese, soaked in orange blossom syrup and dusted with crushed pistachios.

• 400 g kataifi (shredded filo pastry)
• 200 g butter, melted
• 400 g mozzarella or akkawi cheese
• 150 g ricotta
• 300 g sugar
• 200 ml water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp orange blossom water
• Crushed pistachios for garnish

Method

1. 1
   Make simple syrup: boil sugar and water for 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and orange blossom water. Cool.
2. 2
   Mix the cheeses together.
3. 3
   Toss the kataifi with melted butter. Press half into a well-buttered baking dish.
4. 4
   Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the pastry.
5. 5
   Cover with the remaining kataifi, pressing firmly.
6. 6
   Bake at 200°C for 30–35 minutes until deep golden. Immediately pour the cold syrup over the hot pastry. Garnish with pistachios.