Turkish Künefe (Shredded Pastry with Melted Cheese & Syrup)
A spectacular Turkish dessert: shredded kadayif pastry baked golden and crispy, with a layer of stretchy melted cheese inside, soaked in sweet syrup and topped with crushed pistachios.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) kadayif (shredded filo dough, found in Middle Eastern grocery stores)
- 8 oz (225g) unsalted fresh mozzarella or Turkish dil peyniri, shredded and soaked in water for 2 hours to remove salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- Syrup: 1.5 cups sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Crushed pistachios for topping
Instructions
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1
Make the syrup first: Combine sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Let cool completely (the syrup must be cool when the pastry is hot).
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2
Gently pull apart the kadayif strands and place in a large bowl. Pour melted butter over and toss with your hands until every strand is coated.
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3
Press half the buttered kadayif into the bottom of a 10-inch oven-safe skillet or round baking pan, creating an even layer. Spread the drained, shredded cheese evenly on top. Cover with the remaining kadayif, pressing down gently.
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4
Cook on the stovetop over medium heat for 10-12 minutes until the bottom is deep golden (lift an edge to check). Then place under a broiler for 3-5 minutes until the top is also golden and crispy. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
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5
Immediately flip the künefe onto a serving plate (place the plate over the pan and flip confidently). Pour the cool syrup evenly over the hot pastry. Top with crushed pistachios. Serve immediately while the cheese is still stretchy.
