Kadaifi (Greek Pastry With Nuts and Syrup)

evelyn/athens's Note:

Nearly everyone is familiar with baklava, but very few know 'kadaifi'. It's shredded wheat's cousin. I prefer kadaifi.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 18

• 1 lb kadaifi (Greek, shredded wheat pastry)
• 2 cups mincedalmonds or 2 cups pistachios
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• 1⁄3; cup sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 cup butter , melted
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Directions:

1. Open pastry and spread out on a baking sheet.
2. Air dry for 15 minutes.
3. Combine nuts, orange juice, 1/3 cup sugar and cinnamon in small bowl.
4. Preheat oven to 340°F.
5. Lightly butter a baking pan.
6. Separate pastry strands into 18-20, 10 to 12 inch rectangles (beauty is not an issue here).
7. Place 1 tbsp nut filling at narrow end of rectangle.
8. Roll up tightly.
9. Arrange in a round (12-14 inch diameter) baking pan; do not crowd, have them JUST touching each other.
10. (you can use a square/rectangular pan too, you just usually see them in round pans here) Pour melted butter evenly over the pieces and bake until golden, 35-40 minutes.
11. For syrup: Cook 1 ½ cup sugar, water and lemon juice in saucepan over low heat, swirling pan occasionally, until sugar dissolves.
12. Simmer for 15 minutes.
13. Pour hot syrup over pastry and allow pastry to cool.
14. This can be kept, covered, at room temperature for at least a week.

Reviews

[Jopalis]

I haven't made it... I want to...where do you get the pastry?

[mermaidmagic]

Kadaifi is one of my favorite Greek desserts! I don't know why we don't see it as often as baklava in the U.S. because it is every bit as good. I can not make this because my children have allergies to nuts, but I can see how wonderful this recipe is. I hope some Zaar people give this a try. It's quite a delicious blend of flavors and textures!