Kataif Recipe

Kataif sweet is prepared only during the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. You will find stands set up everywhere you go in the Arab world with a hot plate where they pour the batter and in seconds you have round Kataif (pancakes) which are placed on top of each other and weighed according to the amount you want to buy. As soon as you reach home, you need to separate them and leave them to cool; otherwise they will stick to each other.

Ingredients:

Kataif. Buy as many as you will need and no more, estimating a minimum of 2 per person.

Filling (option one):

White sweetened cheese (can be found in all supermarkets)
pinch of cinnamon
sugar to taste
ground teaspoon of Arabic gum.

Filling (option two):

Ground pieces of walnuts
pinch of cinnamon
sugar to taste.

Qatter (Sugar Water) Syrup:

1 glass of water
1 glasses of sugar
few drops of lemon juice
few drops of rose water.

For filling option one:

- cut the white cheese into very small pieces and shred them by hand.
- Add the cinnamon; ground Arabic gum and sugar and mix.

For filling option two:
- Smash the walnuts and mix them with the cinnamon and sugar together.

Preparation:

1. Place a small amount of either fillings in the center of the Kataif piece and fold one side towards the other and stick them together by pressing on the edges. You now have a crescent shaped Kataif.
2. Fry (maximum 2 minutes on both sides) with butter, gee or vegetable oil (better with butter) or bake (placing a thin slice of butter over it is an option) until golden brown.
3. Dip into the sugar water syrup and remove. Serve hot.

Qatter Syrup:

1. To prepare, mix all the ingredients in a pot over high heat at the stove. Stir continuously until it boils.
2. Lower heat to medium but continue to stir until the mixture thickens and the sugar is totally dissolved