Kunafa with Semolina

Sometimes, the best things in life come when you unprepared. This is exactly what happened to me when I discovered kunafa. I tasted it for the first time in Dubai and ever since I became addicted. Here is how it went:

During my stay in Dubai for business, I allowed myself some free time and found myself wandering the bustling market, absolutely amazed by all that it had to offer. Experiencing Dubai with my own eyes was a wonder like no other – among the scents and sounds of this vibrant city. As I strolled through the market, among small restaurants that serve Middle Eastern food like falafel, shawarma and kebab, I saw a peculiar stand manned by a middle-aged local man stopped me in my tracks. The stand featured kunafa with semolina, an acclaimed Middle Eastern pastry fashioned from thin vermicelli dough coated in a syrupy sweetness and layered with either cheese or nuts.

The presence of the scrumptious, fragrant kunafa emanating from the stand was too much to resist, and so I meandered closer. A man proffered a piece for me to sample and my mouth instantly began to water at the thought. The perfect blend of sweetness and rich, creamy cheese was a delightful part to savor. I couldn’t withstand the temptation for more so I had to get some of it at home with me. The crust was likeable and the interior voluptuous – crisp from exterior and soft from inside.

As I savored my kunafa, a ruckus in the crowd caught my attention – there was a street performer grabbing everyone’s attention. Amongst the uproar of cheers and clapping, this person had begun to juggle with fire and fiddle some tunes. The spectacle of the performance was nothing short of spectacular, and yet, in the midst of the commotion, was the figure at the kunafa stand where he diligently worked away with finesse and congenially engaged with customers all around.

I observed the man with admiration, as his grit and drive made sure he went about his day despite the disruptions of the street performer. It was inspiring to witness his steadfastness amidst such adversity. Before saying farewell, I asked the man for his recipe of Kunafa with semolina as I was highly impressed by its taste and wanted to replicate it at home. To my surprise, he agreed to give me the recipe, and I quickly jotted it down on a piece of paper.

This kunafa is a truly delicious treat, yet getting its full potential isn’t as challenging as one may think: with patience and a bit of practice, perfecting it is quite achievable. All that’s required is the following simple recipe. The main ingredient in this dish is the vermicelli-like pastry. It soaks in sweet syrup and is layered with cheese or nuts like pistachios or walnuts. The mixture is then heated and served warm.

Making the delicious kunafa with semolina at home turned out delightful and was a fantastic success. It impressed my family and friends, and they appreciated its freshness. Their jaws dropped when they tasted how delicious it was and wanted to know the origin of the recipe. Additionally, I shared with them my exciting journey to discovering the little-known dish, stirring up great interest among all present.

Recalling that day infused with the aromas in Dubai, I remain with delicious memories of a decades-long favorite recipe given to me by an expert. This special and exquisite dish will stay with me for a long time.

I had a truly memorable day in Dubai wandering amongst the colorful stalls of the market. The unique gastronomical and cultural experience left me eager to come back and explore more. I had the honor of getting to know an incredibly friendly resident who generously shared his personal recipe for kunafa with semolina. The contrast of the sweet and delicious kunafa against the background of the street performer drove home the point that the simple pleasures in life are what make life worth living, amidst any form of chaos or distraction.

Here is a traditional recipe which I discovered during a business trip to Dubai:

Ingredients for kunafa with semolina:

The dough:

1. 3 cups of semolina
2. 1 cup of sugar
3. 1.25 cups of ghee
4. The cheese ingredients:
5. 3 cups of akkawi cheese (Soaked in water to remove salt)
6. 100 grams of Mozzarella

Sugar Syrup:

1. 2 cups of sugar
2. 1 cup of water
3. 1/2 tablespoon of blossom water
4. 2 teaspoons of rose water.
5. 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.

How to make kunafa with semolina?

1. To prepare the kunafa semolina, mix together ghee, semolina, and sugar in a large bowl until it forms a dough ball.
2. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, and place the dough in the oven for 10 minutes. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
3. Take the dough out of the oven and place it in a mixer, and blend until it resembles sand.
4. In a saucepan, mix together akkawi cheese and sugar.
5. Roll out a cup of ghee on a tray. Spread the dough powder over the ghee.
6. Gently press the dough with your hand, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top followed by unsalted cheese.
7. Put the tray into the preheated oven at 180 degrees for 30 minutes.
8. Let the kunafa cool for 10 minutes, then turn it over so that the dough forms the top layer and the cheese the bottom layer.
9. Prepare the sugar syrup by bringing a saucepan and adding water, sugar, orange blossom water, rose water and lemon juice. Mix the ingredients together until the sugar dissolves. Place the pot on the stove and bring it to boil while stirring.
10. Once the kunafa is cooled down, pour the syrup over it and serve.

This delectable and traditional Middle Eastern pastry recipe for kunafa with semolina is perfect to share with friends, family or anyone else on any occasion. It’s a mouth-watering treat that will tantalize the taste buds of everyone around you. Serve it as an after-dinner dessert, or even with coffee at breakfast time; it’s sure to be enjoyed by all.