Description
Kataifi pastry is a delicious and crispy Greek dessert made with shredded phyllo dough, filled with a mixture of nuts and spices, and soaked in a fragrant honey syrup. This golden-brown treat is similar to baklava but has a unique texture due to the delicate, hair-like strands of kataifi dough. Perfect for festive occasions or as a special sweet treat, this recipe delivers a delightful balance of crunch, sweetness, and aromatic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pastry:
- 12 oz (340g) kataifi (shredded phyllo) dough, thawed
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups (200g) walnuts or almonds, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the Syrup:
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (170g) honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
- Prepare the filling: In a bowl, mix the chopped nuts, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar. Set aside.
- Separate and fluff the kataifi dough: Gently pull apart the strands with your fingers to loosen them.
- Assemble the pastries:
- Take a small portion of kataifi dough (about a handful), spread it out, and place a spoonful of the nut mixture in the center.
- Roll or fold the dough around the filling to form a log or small nest.
- Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish and repeat until all the dough and filling are used.
- Brush with butter: Generously brush the melted butter over the kataifi rolls, ensuring they are well coated.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare the syrup: While the kataifi is baking, combine water, sugar, honey, cinnamon stick, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Soak the pastries: Once the kataifi is baked and still hot, slowly pour the warm syrup over it. Allow it to absorb the syrup for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve: Garnish with extra chopped nuts and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- For a more intense flavor, let the kataifi sit overnight to fully absorb the syrup.
- Substitute walnuts with pistachios for a vibrant twist.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt for a delightful contrast.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Calories: ~220
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Protein: 3g