Kunefe (kuna:fa)

Directions

Let's start with the syrup. Combine water, sugar, the juice of half a lemon, and ground mastic gum in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, remove it from the heat and let it cool.

Unroll the kadaifi pastry and cut it into small pieces with scissors or a knife. Mix 2 tablespoons of crushed pistachios into the kadaifi pastry.

Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F) in the fan setting.

Take a baking dish and brush the bottom with melted butter. Then sprinkle a layer of crushed pistachios over the butter. Lay a sheet of kadaifi pastry on top and press it firmly with your hand to shape it according to the baking dish. Brush the pastry with butter and sprinkle crushed pistachios. Add a layer of peyniri cheese and repeat the process with another sheet of kadaifi pastry.

Press the layers well, drizzle with butter, and sprinkle with crushed pistachios. Bake for about 30 minutes until golden brown.

Once it is baked, remove it from the oven and pour the syrup over it while it's still warm.

Serve hot, garnished with crushed Aegina pistachios.

• The recipe is for 2 baking dishes of 22cm (8.5 inches) in diameter. • You can prepare the Kunefe without baking it and freeze it. When needed, continue the process. • If you cannot find the specific peyniri cheese, you can mix 200g of mild ricotta cheese with 200g of feta cheese as an alternative. (It's not the same, but it is suggested as an alternative in many recipes).

*Peyniri cheese is a traditional Turkish cheese with a variety of textures and flavors. It is used in many Turkish recipes and is an important part of Turkish cuisine. It comes in various types such as soft, hard, creamy, or dry, and can have a strong or mild taste. It is often served with bread, olives, and cured meats, and is an integral part of Turkish cuisine and tradition.