{"id":"kunefe_8754b2a533","slug":"kunefe","title":"Künefe","description":"A traditional Mediterranean dessert consisting of shredded phyllo dough layered with gooey melted cheese, soaked in a sweet lemon-scented syrup and topped with crushed pistachios.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"250g Shredded Phyllo (Kadayıf)","name":"Phyllo Dough","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":8.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"shredded","notes":"also known as kadayıf","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"125g Unsalted Butter","name":"Butter","quantity":125,"unit":"g","usQuantity":4.4,"usUnit":"oz","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"200g Akkawi or low-moisture Mozzarella","name":"Mozzarella","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"shredded or sliced","notes":"use desalted Akkawi, Hatay cheese, or low-moisture mozzarella","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"200g Granulated Sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"for syrup","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"240ml Water","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for syrup","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp Lemon Juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fresh","notes":"for syrup","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"30g Ground Pistachios","name":"Pistachio","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"ground","notes":"for garnish","group":"Topping","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in lemon juice, remove from heat, and let the syrup cool completely.","group":"Syrup Prep","title":"Combine sugar and water","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Syrup Prep"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Place the shredded phyllo (kadayıf) in a large bowl. Pull it apart with your fingers to loosen the strands. Pour melted butter over the dough and mix thoroughly until every strand is coated.","group":"Dough Prep","title":"Place the shredded phyllo","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Prep"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Grease a round künefe pan or heavy skillet. Press half of the buttered dough into the bottom of the pan to create an even, compact layer.","group":"Assembly","title":"Grease a round künefe pan or heavy skillet","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Distribute the shredded cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a small margin at the edges to prevent sticking. Cover with the remaining half of the dough and press down firmly to level it.","group":"Assembly","title":"Distribute the shredded cheese evenly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place the pan on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes, rotating the pan frequently, until the bottom is golden brown. Carefully flip the künefe onto a plate, slide it back into the pan, and cook the other side for another 8-10 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place the pan on the stovetop","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Immediately after removing from heat, pour the cold syrup over the hot künefe. Let it soak for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with ground pistachios and serve while warm.","group":"Finishing","title":"Immediately after removing from heat","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Traditional Künefe is best made with Hatay or Akkawi cheese, but a mix of mozzarella and fresh ricotta or mild goat cheese works well too. Use a flat copper pan if possible for even browning.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["small saucepan","heavy skillet or künefe pan","mixing bowl"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["milk","wheat","gluten","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"pan","note":"20-22cm diameter pan"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The syrup can be made several days in advance and kept in the fridge."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Best served immediately. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge but the dough will lose its crispness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in a pan over low heat or in a toaster oven to restore some crispness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkunefe_8754b2a533%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7e77819a-98c3-4e67-b3fa-a123a68b63bd","imageAlt":"Künefe — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["dessert","mediterranean","sweet","cheese","pastry","middle eastern"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Künefe","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:01:01.639Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:01:01.639Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_7118ab4802","slug":"lemon-mint-juice-limonana","title":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana)","description":"A quintessential Mediterranean and Middle Eastern refresher, this vibrant drink perfectly balances tart lemons, cooling fresh mint, and a touch of sweetness.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Middle Eastern","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7118ab4802%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=abf73a52-7932-4dea-82b6-3486a9e6b6ea","imageAlt":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana) — recipe cover","tags":["refreshing","mint","lemonade","cold-drink","summer","citrus"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_05b3803820","slug":"yogurt-with-honey","title":"Yogurt with Honey","description":"A creamy and nutritious Mediterranean staple featuring thick Greek yogurt drizzled with golden honey and topped with crunchy walnuts.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_05b3803820%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d3ada203-2be2-41f4-b9ee-23856051fabb","imageAlt":"Yogurt with Honey — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","high protein","quick","mediterranean diet","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":3},{"id":"recipe_df33fac33f","slug":"basbousa","title":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup","description":"A traditional Mediterranean semolina cake soaked in aromatic syrup, known for its moist, grainy texture and sweet floral notes.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":105,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_df33fac33f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4671c365-003f-4487-8802-e08193fc80e9","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","cake","syrup","middle eastern","sweet","floral"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":7}]}