Kataifi
This amazing dessert is made with roughly chopped walnuts, (or sometimes other nuts), scented with ground clove and cinnamon then wrapped into buttery crispy kataifi pasty and bathed in spiced syrup.. Simply delicious..
Mum told me that, growing up, when Bapou went to the Greek bakers, he would come back laden with general supplies like breads and cheeses and always a tray of baklava and Kataifi. It was always a treat.
😋 Enjoy!
KATAIFI
SERVES: MAKES APPROX 24
PREP TIME: 30 mins
COOKING TIME: 60 mins at 170c
INGREDIENTS:
FOR KATAIFI
400g pack Kataifi pastry
200g Walnuts or almonds or mixture (coarsly grounded)
1tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
250g butter
FOR SYRUP
400g sugar
300ml water
Stick of cinnamon
Couple of pieces lemon rind
METHOD
Start by defrosting the pastry in the fridge overnight then bring to room temperature.
1. Make the syrup by putting all syrup ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil stirring until sugar is dissolved. Leave to cool completely.
2. Prepare the filling by adding the ground cinnamon and the pinch of cloves to the nuts and chop finely but not powdered.
3. Melt the butter and brush the inside of an ovenproof dish approx 24cm X 26cm.
4. Remove the pastry from the packaging and unfold working the strands so none are stuck together. Spread out onto a tray and cover with a damp tea towel.
5. On a work service or board break a small bunch of the Kataifi pastry and spread it to make an oblong about 8cm x 15cm (approx) and brush with melted butter.
6. Place about a good teaspoon of the nut mixture at the end and roll up tightly, folding sides in to make a roll then put into the butter dish. Continue in this way, placing the rolls next to each other until the dish is full then brush all over the tops with the melted butter.
7. Bake in a pre heated oven, 170C for about an hour until golden.
8. Remove from the oven and slowly ladle most of the cold syrup onto the hot Kataifi allowing it to absorb through. Listen to the sizzle.
9. Place a tea towel over the dish and allow to cool completely then drizzle any remaining syrup over the top.
Serve these delicious, crispy Kataifi with ice cream or cream and a cup of Greek coffee. Actually, who am I kidding, they're delicious on their own too.
