Knafeh is one of the most famous traditional Middle Eastern desserts, popular in the Levant region. It is known for its smooth texture and taste, which combines the sweetness of sugar and the saltiness of cheese. It is filled with cream or custard and garnished with pistachios or almonds, typically served in rolled-up pieces that melt in the mouth.
This dessert is made from simple and available ingredients, the most prominent of which are semolina and soft cheese, such as Akkawi or mozzarella, along with aromatic flavors like orange blossom water or rose water. The cream and nuts add a rich, creamy touch, while the sugar syrup gives it an additional shine and taste.
What Are the Ingredients of Knafeh Dough?
Knafeh dough consists of simple main ingredients, but other ingredients are added to give it a distinct flavor and texture. These ingredients include:
Semolina: The main ingredient in the dough, providing its firm texture and helping to absorb liquids.
Cheese: Adds a salty flavor and distinctive taste. Soft cheeses like Akkawi or mozzarella are preferred.
Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough.
Water: Helps bind the ingredients together to form a cohesive dough.
Orange Blossom Water: Adds a unique aromatic flavor to the dessert.
Cream: Added as a filling between the layers of dough, increasing its moisture and rich flavor.
Rose Water: Can be used instead of orange blossom water or alongside it to create a different flavor.
Cornstarch: Helps in binding the dough and makes it more viscous.
Olive Oil: A small amount is added to give the dough a softer texture.
Nuts: Pistachios or almonds are used to garnish the dessert, adding crunch.
Knafeh Ingredients
Knafeh consists of simple and available ingredients, but their proportions and preparation methods may vary from one region to another. These ingredients include:
Semolina: The main ingredient that gives Knafeh its firm and delicate texture.
Cheese: Adds a salty flavor and distinctive taste. Soft cheeses like Akkawi or mozzarella are preferred.
Sugar: Sweetens the dough and enhances its taste.
Orange Blossom Water or Rose Water: Adds a fragrant, aromatic note to the dessert.
Cream: Added between the dough layers for extra richness.
Cornstarch: Helps with dough cohesion and increases its viscosity.
Nuts: Pistachios or almonds used for garnish.
Sugar Syrup (Qater): A concentrated sugar solution added to Knafeh after it is cooked to provide extra sweetness and shine.
It is recommended to use soft, low-salt cheese for the best results, and to use fine semolina to achieve the perfect texture. You can adjust the sugar level to suit your taste, and it's advisable to cook the dough over low heat to prevent burning. Also, allow the Knafeh to cool before cutting and serving. Additional ingredients like coconut or cinnamon can be added based on personal preferences.
How to Make Knafeh
Dough Ingredients:
1.5 cups of fine semolina
1 cup of water
½ cup of sugar
3 tablespoons of orange blossom water
500 grams of soft cheese (like Akkawi or mozzarella)
Fresh cream (Qeshta) for filling
Pistachios for garnish
Sugar syrup (Qater)
Sugar Syrup Ingredients:
1 cup of sugar
½ cup of water
A squeeze of lemon juice
Preparation Method:
Make the syrup: In a pot, combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice. Bring it to a boil and cook until the sugar is fully dissolved and the syrup thickens. Set it aside to cool.
Prepare the dough: In another pot, combine the water, sugar, and orange blossom water. Once it boils, gradually add the semolina while continuously stirring until the mixture is homogeneous. Reduce the heat and add the cheese, stirring well until it melts and the mixture firms up.
Transfer the dough to a greased baking dish and spread it evenly using a rolling pin.
Spread a layer of cream over the dough, then roll it up into a cylinder.
Cut the roll into equal slices and dip them into the cooled syrup.
Garnish with pistachios and serve cold.
If you prefer Knafeh without the filling, you can omit the cream. Ensure that the syrup is cold before dipping the Knafeh into it.
Benefits of Knafeh
Knafeh is a source of many beneficial nutrients, and while it is high in sugar and fats, it also provides important nutritional elements when consumed in moderation:
Rich in Calcium: It is essential for bone and dental health, helping to strengthen bones and protect them from osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women and growing children.
Contains Protein: It aids in building and repairing body tissues and helps increase satiety, reducing the desire to eat.
Provides Quick Energy: The sugar and fats in Knafeh provide rapid energy, making it a good choice for a snack or after a workout.
Contains Vitamins and Minerals: Knafeh contains vitamins like B vitamins and zinc, which support various vital functions in the body.
Skin Health: Its calcium content aids in regenerating skin cells and increasing collagen production, which enhances skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. The vitamins in Knafeh help keep the skin hydrated and prevent dryness.
Muscle Health: It has a good amount of protein, which is crucial for building and repairing muscle tissue. It helps increase muscle mass and contributes to recovery after exercise.
Risks of Knafeh
Despite its delicious taste and nutritional value, overconsumption of Knafeh can lead to certain health risks, including:
High in Calories and Fats: Eating too much can increase the risk of weight gain and obesity.
Blood Sugar Spikes: The sugar in Knafeh can cause elevated blood sugar levels, especially in individuals with diabetes.
Saturated Fats: The saturated fats in Knafeh may contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Dental Issues: The sugar content can promote the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, leading to tooth decay and enamel erosion.
Digestive Problems: Overconsumption of fatty and sugary foods can lead to digestive issues like constipation and bloating.
Conclusion
Knafeh is a dessert that offers a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, making it beloved across many regions. While it provides several nutritional benefits, it should be consumed in moderation to avoid potential risks, especially for individuals with health concerns such as diabetes and obesity.
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Knafeh is one of the most famous traditional Middle Eastern desserts, popular in the Levant region. It is known for its smooth texture and taste, which combines the sweetness of sugar and the saltiness of cheese. It is filled with cream or custard and garnished with pistachios or almonds, typically served in rolled-up pieces that melt in the mouth.
This dessert is made from simple and available ingredients, the most prominent of which are semolina and soft cheese, such as Akkawi or mozzarella, along with aromatic flavors like orange blossom water or rose water. The cream and nuts add a rich, creamy touch, while the sugar syrup gives it an additional shine and taste.
What Are the Ingredients of Knafeh Dough?
Knafeh dough consists of simple main ingredients, but other ingredients are added to give it a distinct flavor and texture. These ingredients include:
Semolina: The main ingredient in the dough, providing its firm texture and helping to absorb liquids.
Cheese: Adds a salty flavor and distinctive taste. Soft cheeses like Akkawi or mozzarella are preferred.
Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough.
Water: Helps bind the ingredients together to form a cohesive dough.
Orange Blossom Water: Adds a unique aromatic flavor to the dessert.
Cream: Added as a filling between the layers of dough, increasing its moisture and rich flavor.
Rose Water: Can be used instead of orange blossom water or alongside it to create a different flavor.
Cornstarch: Helps in binding the dough and makes it more viscous.
Olive Oil: A small amount is added to give the dough a softer texture.
Nuts: Pistachios or almonds are used to garnish the dessert, adding crunch.
Knafeh Ingredients
Knafeh consists of simple and available ingredients, but their proportions and preparation methods may vary from one region to another. These ingredients include:
Semolina: The main ingredient that gives Knafeh its firm and delicate texture.
Cheese: Adds a salty flavor and distinctive taste. Soft cheeses like Akkawi or mozzarella are preferred.
Sugar: Sweetens the dough and enhances its taste.
Orange Blossom Water or Rose Water: Adds a fragrant, aromatic note to the dessert.
Cream: Added between the dough layers for extra richness.
Cornstarch: Helps with dough cohesion and increases its viscosity.
Nuts: Pistachios or almonds used for garnish.
Sugar Syrup (Qater): A concentrated sugar solution added to Knafeh after it is cooked to provide extra sweetness and shine.
It is recommended to use soft, low-salt cheese for the best results, and to use fine semolina to achieve the perfect texture. You can adjust the sugar level to suit your taste, and it's advisable to cook the dough over low heat to prevent burning. Also, allow the Knafeh to cool before cutting and serving. Additional ingredients like coconut or cinnamon can be added based on personal preferences.
How to Make Knafeh
Dough Ingredients:
1.5 cups of fine semolina
1 cup of water
½ cup of sugar
3 tablespoons of orange blossom water
500 grams of soft cheese (like Akkawi or mozzarella)
Fresh cream (Qeshta) for filling
Pistachios for garnish
Sugar syrup (Qater)
Sugar Syrup Ingredients:
1 cup of sugar
½ cup of water
A squeeze of lemon juice
Preparation Method:
Make the syrup: In a pot, combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice. Bring it to a boil and cook until the sugar is fully dissolved and the syrup thickens. Set it aside to cool.
Prepare the dough: In another pot, combine the water, sugar, and orange blossom water. Once it boils, gradually add the semolina while continuously stirring until the mixture is homogeneous. Reduce the heat and add the cheese, stirring well until it melts and the mixture firms up.
Transfer the dough to a greased baking dish and spread it evenly using a rolling pin.
Spread a layer of cream over the dough, then roll it up into a cylinder.
Cut the roll into equal slices and dip them into the cooled syrup.
Garnish with pistachios and serve cold.
If you prefer Knafeh without the filling, you can omit the cream. Ensure that the syrup is cold before dipping the Knafeh into it.
Benefits of Knafeh
Knafeh is a source of many beneficial nutrients, and while it is high in sugar and fats, it also provides important nutritional elements when consumed in moderation:
Rich in Calcium: It is essential for bone and dental health, helping to strengthen bones and protect them from osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women and growing children.
Contains Protein: It aids in building and repairing body tissues and helps increase satiety, reducing the desire to eat.
Provides Quick Energy: The sugar and fats in Knafeh provide rapid energy, making it a good choice for a snack or after a workout.
Contains Vitamins and Minerals: Knafeh contains vitamins like B vitamins and zinc, which support various vital functions in the body.
Skin Health: Its calcium content aids in regenerating skin cells and increasing collagen production, which enhances skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. The vitamins in Knafeh help keep the skin hydrated and prevent dryness.
Muscle Health: It has a good amount of protein, which is crucial for building and repairing muscle tissue. It helps increase muscle mass and contributes to recovery after exercise.
Risks of Knafeh
Despite its delicious taste and nutritional value, overconsumption of Knafeh can lead to certain health risks, including:
High in Calories and Fats: Eating too much can increase the risk of weight gain and obesity.
Blood Sugar Spikes: The sugar in Knafeh can cause elevated blood sugar levels, especially in individuals with diabetes.
Saturated Fats: The saturated fats in Knafeh may contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Dental Issues: The sugar content can promote the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, leading to tooth decay and enamel erosion.
Digestive Problems: Overconsumption of fatty and sugary foods can lead to digestive issues like constipation and bloating.
Conclusion
Knafeh is a dessert that offers a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, making it beloved across many regions. While it provides several nutritional benefits, it should be consumed in moderation to avoid potential risks, especially for individuals with health concerns such as diabetes and obesity.
