Sweet dish : Luqaimat & Kunafa - steps to prepare this middle east sweet item

 

Luqaimat, a popular Middle Eastern sweet, are small, deep-fried dough balls with a crispy exterior and a soft, airy interior. Made from a simple batter of flour, yeast, and water, these delightful bites are then soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup, imparting them with a sweet and syrupy goodness. On the other hand, Kunafa, a beloved dessert with origins in the Middle East, features shredded phyllo dough layered with butter and filled with either ricotta or akkawi cheese. Baked to a golden perfection, Kunafa is then drenched in a luscious sugar syrup, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors – crunchy on the outside, gooey and sweet on the inside. Both Luqaimat and Kunafa represent the rich culinary heritage of the region, offering a symphony of tastes that captivate the palate.

Here are the recipes for Luqaimat and Kunafa:

### Luqaimat:

**Ingredients:**

1. 2 cups all-purpose flour

2. 1 tablespoon sugar

3. 1 teaspoon yeast

4. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

5. 1/4 teaspoon salt

6. 1 1/2 cups warm water

**For syrup:**

1. 1 cup sugar

2. 1/2 cup water

3. 1 tablespoon lemon juice

4. A pinch of saffron (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, baking powder, and salt.

2. Gradually add warm water while stirring until you get a smooth, thick batter. Let it rest for at least an hour.

3. Heat oil in a deep pan. Drop small portions of the batter into the hot oil using a spoon.

4. Fry until golden brown, then remove and place on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

5. For the syrup, combine sugar, water, lemon juice, and saffron in a saucepan. Simmer until it thickens into a syrup consistency.

6. Dip the fried luqaimat into the syrup, ensuring they are coated evenly.

### Kunafa:

**Ingredients:**

1. 1 package (500g) kunafa dough (shredded phyllo dough)

2. 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

3. 2 cups ricotta cheese or akkawi cheese, crumbled

**For syrup:**

1. 1 1/2 cups sugar

2. 3/4 cup water

3. 1 tablespoon lemon juice

4. Rose or orange blossom water (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. In a bowl, separate the kunafa dough strands with your fingers.

3. Mix the shredded dough with melted butter until evenly coated.

4. Press half of the dough into the bottom of a greased baking pan to form a base.

5. Spread the crumbled cheese over the dough.

6. Cover the cheese with the remaining half of the shredded dough, pressing it gently.

7. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and crispy (usually 30-40 minutes).

8. While baking, prepare the syrup by dissolving sugar in water, adding lemon juice, and simmering until it thickens.

9. Once the kunafa is done, pour the hot syrup over it evenly.

10. Allow it to cool for a bit before cutting and serving.

Both Luqaimat and Kunafa are delightful Middle Eastern treats. Enjoy making and savoring them!