Fine Shredded Pastry with Cheese (Konafa)

Fine Shredded Pastry with Cheese (Konafa)

Prep. 15 mins
Cooking 15 mins
Serving 4
Middle Eastern

INGREDIENTS Measurements

  

4 cups shredded Akkawi cheese
1/2 kg (1 lb) konafa (shredded pastry)
1/2 cup melted, clarified butter
1 1/2 cups Sugar Syrup
Finely ground pistachios, for garnish

METHOD

  

  • Preheat oven to 160˚C (325˚F).
  • Place cheese in a small bowl and cover with warm water to remove its saltiness. Let soak for 30 minutes. Drain. Using your hands, squeeze cheese to remove any excess moisture.
  • Spread konafa in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in the oven for a few minutes, or until dry; do not brown.
  • Transfer konafa to a food processor. Process until fine crumbs. Add about ⅓ of the clarified butter and pulse to mix.
  • Pour half of the remaining butter into a round 45cm (18in) slab cake pan. Add konafa and press into a compact, even layer about 1cm (⅜in) thick. Place slab cake pan over low heat. Drizzle remaining clarified butter evenly over top. Increase heat to medium and cook, rotating slab cake pan often for even cooking, for 10 minutes or until golden and crusty on bottom.
  • Spread cheese evenly over konafa crust, leaving about 2.5cm (1in) uncovered on side to prevent cheese from burning. Cover with another larger slab cake pan and cook for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
  • Invert slab cake panes together so cheese is on bottom and konafa on top. Drizzle with some of the syrup, and sprinkle some pistachios on top.
  • Cut into squares and serve warm, with more syrup on side to add as desired.

CHEF NOTES

  • A slab cake pan is commonly used to prepare Arabian sweets, a regular pan can be used instead and work the quantity accordingly.

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