{"id":"recipe_dcc6dfbf16","slug":"kunafa-kanafeh","title":"Kunafa (Kanafeh)","description":"A classic North African and Middle Eastern dessert featuring crunchy shredded phyllo dough, a gooey melted cheese center, and a fragrant rose-scented simple syrup.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":50,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g Kataifi dough (shredded phyllo)","name":"Kataifi dough","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"shredded","notes":"shredded phyllo pastry","group":"Pastry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"225g unsalted butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":225,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Pastry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"500g Mozzarella cheese, shredded","name":"Mozzarella Cheese","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"shredded","notes":"or a mix of Akawi and Desalted Nabulsi cheese","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"400g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"white","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"240ml water","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tbsp lemon juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"fresh","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tbsp rose water","name":"Rose water","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"50g crushed pistachios","name":"Pistachio","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"crushed","notes":"for garnish","group":"Garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then add lemon juice. Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in rose water, remove from heat, and let cool completely.","group":"Syrup Prep","title":"Combine sugar and water","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Syrup Prep"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 12-inch baking tray with a little butter.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Place the kataifi dough in a large bowl and pull it apart to loosen the strands. Pour the melted butter over the dough and use your hands to toss and coat every strand thoroughly.","group":"Pastry Assembly","title":"Place the kataifi dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Pastry Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Press half of the buttered dough firmly into the bottom of the prepared tray. Spread the shredded cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.","group":"Pastry Assembly","title":"Press half of the buttered dough firmly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Pastry Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Cover the cheese with the remaining dough, pressing down gently to level the surface.","group":"Pastry Assembly","title":"Cover the cheese","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Pastry Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Immediately after removing from the oven, pour the cold syrup evenly over the hot kunafa. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes to absorb the syrup.","group":"Finishing","title":"Immediately after removing from the oven","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Garnish with crushed pistachios. Slice into squares or diamonds and serve warm.","group":"Finishing","title":"Garnish with crushed pistachios","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Ensure the syrup is completely cold before pouring it over the hot kunafa to keep the pastry crispy. If using Akawi cheese, soak it in water for several hours, changing the water frequently, to remove the salt.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Egyptian","North African"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["12-inch baking tray","small saucepan","large mixing bowl"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["milk","gluten","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"tray","note":"12-inch round tray"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The syrup can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the fridge. The dough can be buttered a few hours before baking."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftovers in an airtight container. It is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in a low oven or air fryer to restore crispiness. Microwave is not recommended as it makes the pastry soggy."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_dcc6dfbf16%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=3bd7f1f9-8ec7-432c-a483-ef897eddfc1f","imageAlt":"Kunafa (Kanafeh) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["sweet","cheese","pastry","ramadan","middle eastern","syrup"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Kunafa (Kanafeh)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:41:27.011Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:41:27.011Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_ff7317ca1a","slug":"basbousa-egyptian-b8fb751d","title":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup","description":"A traditional Middle Eastern and North African semolina cake, soaked in a fragrant simple syrup and topped with almonds. It is moist, dense, and perfectly sweet.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":55,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Egyptian","North African"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ff7317ca1a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f949f5dc-d4a5-4104-96cc-149b15f42f44","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","sweet","cake","traditional","middle eastern","dessert"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":6},{"id":"bofrot_60aa63f14d","slug":"bofrot","title":"Bofrot","description":"A classic West African deep-fried dough snack, particularly popular in Ghana, known for its golden-brown exterior and soft, spongy interior.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbofrot_60aa63f14d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dc35737d-86e3-4bfe-8e36-ea51c85bda98","imageAlt":"Bofrot — recipe cover","tags":["west african","street food","fried dough","spongy","sweet snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":7},{"id":"bouye_f6c3b55cf7","slug":"bouye-baobab-fruit-drink","title":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink)","description":"A thick, creamy, and tangy traditional West African drink made from the nutrient-dense fruit of the baobab tree.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Senegalese"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbouye_f6c3b55cf7%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e6898e06-d939-4b3d-8e31-692c9553c209","imageAlt":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink) — recipe cover","tags":["baobab","african drink","senegalese","creamy","vitamin c","exotic juice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}