Kunafa With Mango Cottage Cheese Cream Recipe
Description:
May the Spirit of Ramadan stay in our hearts and illuminate our souls from within. Ramadan Kareem! For this special occasion, I wanted to create something that embodies the essence of Ramadan—a dessert that provides a serene, pious feeling. And so, I decided to make Kunafa With Mango Cottage Cheese Cream, a twist on the quintessential Arabic dessert. Traditionally, Kunafa features a cheesy center, but I’ve replaced that with a creamy mixture of homemade cottage cheese (paneer) and mango pulp. The result is a flavorful and delightful dessert that is both indulgent and light—a perfect treat to celebrate this blessed time of year.
Cuisine: Arab
Course: Dessert
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Dough:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Kataifi dough (ready-made) | 500 grams |
| Butter (salted) | 200 grams |
| Sugar | 2 tablespoons |
| Rose water | 1 tablespoon |
Ingredients for the Syrup:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sugar | 2-1/2 cups |
| Water | 1-1/2 cups |
| Lemon juice | 1 teaspoon |
| Rose water | 1 teaspoon |
| Saffron strands | A few |
Ingredients for the Mango Cream (Icing):
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Paneer (homemade cottage cheese) | 1 cup |
| Mango pulp (puree) | 1/2 cup |
| Icing sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Thandai masala | 2 teaspoons |
| Heavy whipping cream | 50 grams |
| Fresh cream | 1/2 cup |
Ingredients for Garnish:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pistachios (crushed) | 2 tablespoons |
| Dried rose petals | 2 tablespoons |
Preparation Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
Instructions
-
Prepare the Syrup:
- Start by making the sugar syrup. In a medium saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Allow the syrup to boil for 3 to 4 minutes, then remove it from the heat and add lemon juice, saffron strands, and rose water. Stir well and set the syrup aside to cool completely.
-
Prepare the Mango Cream (Icing):
- Using a hand blender, blend together the paneer (homemade cottage cheese), mango pulp (puree), icing sugar, thandai masala, heavy whipping cream, and fresh cream until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Transfer the mango cream to a bowl, cover, and place it in the fridge to chill while you prepare the dough.
-
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and allow it to heat for about 15 minutes.
-
Prepare the Kataifi Dough:
- In a large bowl, loosen the kataifi dough strands by gently pulling them apart. Melt the butter and add it to the dough, slowly mixing it in while breaking and separating the strands further.
- Add the sugar and rose water to the dough and continue mixing until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
-
Assemble the Kunafa:
- Grease the baking dish or springform pans that you will be using to bake the Kunafa. Spread a layer of the prepared kataifi dough in the pan, pressing it down gently. Continue layering the dough until the pan is filled, pressing down each layer slightly to compact it.
- For a more intricate presentation, arrange the dough in the shape of a crescent moon or star, using a springform pan for the desired shape. If you have leftover dough, use additional pans for smaller portions.
-
Bake the Kunafa:
- Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake the Kunafa for 20-25 minutes or until the dough turns golden brown and crispy. The bottom should be slightly darker than the top.
-
Add the Sugar Syrup:
- Once the Kunafa is baked and golden, remove it from the oven. Immediately pour the cold sugar syrup evenly over the hot Kunafa. Allow the syrup to soak in and the dessert to cool completely at room temperature.
-
Invert and Garnish:
- Once the Kunafa has cooled, carefully invert it onto a serving plate. If you’ve used a springform pan, this should be easy to remove.
- Generously spread the chilled mango cream over the surface of the Kunafa.
- Garnish with crushed pistachios and dried rose petals for a beautiful and aromatic finish.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this Kunafa with Mango Cottage Cheese Cream as a delightful dessert after a hearty meal. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes such as:
- Foxtail Millet Pilaf
- Delicious Spinach Falafels
- Okra Bamia
This Kunafa With Mango Cottage Cheese Cream Recipe is a celebration of flavors and textures, making it a perfect choice for Ramadan or any special occasion. With its creamy mango filling and fragrant rose water syrup, this dessert will leave your guests in awe and elevate the experience of any meal.
