Kataif with nuts and sweet cheese

Cataief with walnuts and sweet cheese - an exotic and savory dessert, perfect for celebrating special moments or simply indulging in something sweet. This traditional recipe is often prepared during Ramadan, but can be enjoyed anytime. Cataief is a thin and crispy pastry filled with various ingredients that give it a delicious taste, and the combination of walnuts and sweet cheese makes this dessert an unforgettable culinary experience.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 8

Ingredients:
- 200 g of cataief sheets
- 150 g of ground walnuts
- 150 g of sweet cheese (preferably telemea or ricotta)
- 100 g of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 100 g of melted butter
- 300 ml of water
- 200 g of sugar for syrup
- 1 tablespoon of rose water (optional)
- 100 g of ground pistachios (for decoration)

Instructions:

1. Start by preparing the filling. In a bowl, mix the ground walnuts with the sweet cheese, 100 g of sugar, and cinnamon. Make sure the ingredients are well combined. This filling will add a sweet and aromatic note to your cataief.

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place a baking tray on your work surface and lightly grease it with melted butter to prevent sticking.

3. Take a cataief sheet and brush it with melted butter on both sides. Place a tablespoon of the walnut and cheese mixture on the edge of the sheet, then roll it tightly to form a cylinder. Repeat this process with all the cataief sheets, arranging them in the tray as you fill them.

4. Once all the sheets are filled and placed in the tray, brush them with a little melted butter on top. This will ensure a crispy and golden crust.

5. Bake the cataief in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until golden and crispy. Check periodically to ensure they do not burn.

6. Meanwhile, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine 300 ml of water with 200 g of sugar and bring to a boil. Let it boil for 5 minutes, then add rose water if using. This sweet syrup will make the cataief even more delicious.

7. Once the cataief is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. Pour the warm syrup over the hot cataief so it absorbs all the sweetness.

8. Finally, decorate the cataief with ground pistachios for an attractive look and a crunchy note.

Serving:
Serve the cataief warm or at room temperature, alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of cream for a perfect contrast between hot and cold. This dessert is popular not only during Ramadan but also on other festive occasions, and filling variations can vary based on preferences. You can substitute walnuts with almonds or pistachios, and the sweet cheese can be adjusted to taste. Enjoy this delicacy and savor every bite!

With this recipe for cataief with walnuts and sweet cheese, you'll bring a touch of tradition and flavor to your kitchen. Happy cooking!

Cataief Dissolve the yeast and sugar in 4 tablespoons of warm water. Put the flour in a bowl with salt and add the yeast; gradually add the rest of the water while mixing with a spoon. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest for an hour, until it rises and bubbles form on the surface. Grease with a little oil (like for pancakes) and place a non-stick pan on the stove. Add one and a half tablespoons of the dough mixture. Bake until the bottom turns golden; it is baked only on one side, leaving the surface full of air bubbles. Remove the pancakes to a plate and let them cool. Sugar syrup Boil water and add the remaining ingredients. Let it boil until it thickens, resembling the consistency of honey. Add rose water for extra flavor. Fill the pastries with nuts or cheese; press the edges. Fry in the pastry pan in oil until golden, then dip in the sugar syrup. Remove from syrup with a slotted spoon to drain excess syrup. Place on a plate and serve warm. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: For cataief: 1 and a half cups of flour, 1 and a half cups of water, 3/4 teaspoon of dry yeast, 1 teaspoon of sugar, a pinch of salt, corn oil for greasing the pan. For the walnut filling: 150 g crushed walnuts, 50 g powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 1 cup of raisins. For the cheese filling: 150 g sweet cheese, crushed or grated on a large grater, 1 cup of raisins, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar. For the sugar syrup: 1 cup of water, 2 cups of sugar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of rose water. During Ramadan, I buy 1/2 kg of cataief from the pastry shop.

 Tags:  kataif nut sweet cheese sugar syrup