Recently I have been doing a lot of research on Greek cuisine. Saved quite a lot of Greek food recipes already. Now, all of those will have to go through lots of trials and tests and I’ll bring in front of you all the best recipes. One such successful recipe was that of EKMEK KATAIF. 

  

One main thing that I noticed in Greek cuisine is that it resembles the middle eastern and Turkish cuisines a lot. The spread of Ottoman Empire influence through these countries they ruled explains a great deal of the similarities in Middle Eastern and Turkish Cuisines with the Greek cuisine. 

  

Some foods influenced and spread by the Ottomans include:
Filo deserts such as Baklava, desserts with honey, Grape leaves, Kafkas, or lamb meatballs, Eggplant dishes, Pilafs, Wedding soup, The use of rose water, Pistachios, Yogurt etc. Isn’t this a new information for you? It was for me definitely. 

  

God willing, more Greek recipes will be posted in the future. For now see the recipe of this yummy, tasty dessert Ekmek Kataife. 

  
Ekmek Kataife is made with a layer of kataife dough (kataife is same as kanafeh/ kunafa ) which is baked till crispy, drenched in lemon and rosewater scented syrup, topped with a thick and creamy semolina custard and whipped cream and finally garnished with ground pistachios….bliss! That’s it! and you have the fantastic looking authentic Greek dessert on your table. 

  

I didn’t use whipped cream here because my husband is not a big fan of it. If you like a nice and airy cream, feel free to add in a layer of it. It would taste really fantastic. So here is the recipe, hope you all like it. Here is a video tutorial. 🙂

INGREDIENTS:

For the Syrup

• 1 Cup Water
• 2 Cups Sugar
• A slice of lemon
• 1 tsp rose water

For the Kataifi Base:

• 190 grams Kataifi pastry
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted.

For the Custard:

• 2½ cups whole milk
• 1/4 tsp ground mastic (also known as mastika or tears)
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup fine semolina flour
• 1 tsp cornflour
• ¼ cup caster (superfine) sugar
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla

For the Whipped Cream:

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cream stabilizer or powdered milk
• 3 tsp icing sugar or to taste

1 cup chopped unsalted pistachios for garnish

NOTES:
✔️ In the original recipe, they add whipping cream on top of the custard layer. I didn’t add it, but if you like the airy whipped cream you should definitely include that layer too. 

✔️ Adding shredded coconut is optional, i prefer without it.

Directions:

For the Kataif Base:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Grease and line a 11 x 7 x 2-inches pan with parchment paper
3. Tease the pastry and pull apart really well and pour in melted butter. Mix well. 
4. Press into the bottom of pan
5. Place in oven til golden brown, about 10 minutes

For the Syrup:

1. Place sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
2. Reduce head to low and simmer approximately 8 minutes until thick.
3. Remove from the heat and add lemon.
4. Pour hot syrup over cooled pastry base and set aside to cool

For the Custard:

1. Into a saucepan pour milk and add mastic and let it come to a boil. Remove from heat. 
2. In a large bowl add eggs, semolina, cornflour, sugar and vanilla and whisk well.
3. Temper the eggs by adding 3 ladles of hot milk into the eggs, whisking all the time.
4. Pour the tempered egg mixture into the milk and return to the heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Add coconut and stir.
5. Remove from the heat and place cling film on the surface of the custard and set aside to cool.
6. Pour cooled custard over cooled pastry and spread evenly. Leave at room temperature until fully cool and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

For the whipped cream:

1. In a clean bowl add cream, icing sugar and vanilla and whip until thick enough to pipe
2. Place cream in an icing bag with a star tip and pipe rosettes to decorate or just spread it evenly over the custard. 
3. Garnish with chopped pistachios.
4. While serving pour extra syrup on top if desired. 

[yumprint-recipe id=’142′]   

Recipe courtesy Orgasmicchef.com