Middle Eastern Qatayef (Katayef) Recipe
Qatayef, also spelled Katayef, is a sweet dumpling traditionally filled with cream or a nut mixture, often including hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and raisins. Additional ingredients commonly used are unsalted cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, enhancing its flavor.
Ingredients
For the dough
- All-purpose flour – 2 cups
- Fine semolina – 1 cup
- Powdered milk – 2 tbsp
- Water (lukewarm) – 3.5 cups
- Sugar – 1 tbsp
- Dry yeast – 1 tsp
- Baking powder – 1 tbsp
- Mahlab powder (optional) – ½ tbsp
Fillings and toppings:
- Ashta
- Sugar syrup – 1 cup
- Chopped pistachio (for garnish) – 3 tbsp
Instructions
- Begin by taking a small bowl and adding baking soda with ½ cup of lukewarm water to it. Combine until the baking soda dissolves completely, and then set aside.
- Now, take a blender and add three cups of lukewarm water to it. Add the rest of the ingredients. Combine thoroughly, then set aside for at least 15 minutes to rest.
- Pour the baking soda mixture after 15 minutes. Beat for about 4-5 seconds to combine.
- It’s time to cook the pancakes. Take a large non-stick skillet and heat it over a medium flame.
- Take about two tablespoons of batter per pancake, and then add as many as you can. You can alter the amount of batter used depending on how big you prefer the atayef to be.
- During cooking, you will observe the pancakes bubbling up, and when the top surface of the pancake seems dry, take it off the heat. You don’t need to flip it or it will dry out.
- Once cooked, transfer the qatayef to a plate and cover it with plastic wrap. Meanwhile, you can prepare the rest of the pancakes.
- It’s time to stuff the qatayef. Place 1-2 tablespoons of kashta in the centre of each qatayef. Make sure you keep the bubbly side up.
- Now, close the qatayef by simply pinching the ends of the pancake together halfway. It will form a cone shape, with the cream becoming visible. You can also add more ashta if desired.
- Finally, add some crushed pistachios on top of the exposed cream and drizzle with the syrup, and there you have it. Your qatayef is ready to be served!
Nutrition
Calories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSodium: 111mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11g
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