Dubai Famous Kunafa Making

 Making Kunafa, a beloved Middle Eastern dessert, is an art that requires skill and patience to achieve its signature crispy, cheesy, and sweet texture. While you can enjoy Kunafa at various bakeries and restaurants in Dubai, here's a simplified version of how Kunafa is traditionally made:

Ingredients:

• Kunafa dough (Kataifi): This is a shredded phyllo dough, available pre-packaged in many Middle Eastern grocery stores.
• Unsalted butter, melted
• Cheese: Typically, Akkawi or Mozzarella cheese is used for Kunafa. Akkawi cheese is more traditional and gives a unique flavor.
• Sugar syrup: A mixture of sugar, water, and a squeeze of lemon juice, simmered until slightly thickened.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Kunafa dough:

   • Start by separating the strands of Kunafa dough with your fingers to ensure they are loose and not clumped together. This helps in achieving a crispy texture.

2. Prepare the filling:

   • Grate the cheese into small pieces. If you're using Akkawi cheese, soak it in water for a few hours to reduce its saltiness, then drain and squeeze out excess water.

3. Assemble the Kunafa:

   • Brush the bottom and sides of a round or rectangular baking dish with melted butter.
   • Take a handful of Kunafa dough and spread it evenly on the bottom of the baking dish to form a thin layer. Press down gently to compact it.

4. Add the cheese:

   • Evenly distribute the grated cheese over the Kunafa dough layer. Leave a border around the edges to prevent the cheese from sticking to the sides during baking.

5. Top layer of Kunafa dough:

   • Cover the cheese with another layer of Kunafa dough, spreading it evenly to form the top layer. Again, press down gently to compact it.

6. Bake the Kunafa:

   • Preheat the oven to around 180°C (350°F).
   • Bake the Kunafa in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.

7. Prepare the sugar syrup:

   • While the Kunafa is baking, prepare the sugar syrup. Combine sugar, water, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened. Allow it to cool.

8. Final steps:

   • Once the Kunafa is baked and golden brown, remove it from the oven.
   • Immediately pour the cooled sugar syrup evenly over the hot Kunafa. The syrup will soak into the layers, adding sweetness and moisture.
   • Let the Kunafa sit for a few minutes to absorb the syrup before serving.

9. Serve:

   • Kunafa is traditionally served warm. Cut it into squares or slices and enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness with a cup of Arabic coffee or tea.

Tips:

• Cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese to find your preferred taste and texture. Akkawi cheese is traditional, but Mozzarella can be a good substitute.
• Butter: Use generous amounts of melted butter to achieve a crispy and flavorful Kunafa.
• Sugar syrup: Adjust the sweetness of the syrup to your preference. Some like it sweeter, while others prefer a lighter sweetness.