QATAYEF (ATAYEF OR SWEET CHEESE STUFFED HOTCAKES)

Qatayef, also known as Atayef, is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert, particularly popular during Ramadan. These delightful sweets are made from a semolina-based pancake filled with a luscious cheese mixture. They are then fried until golden and soaked in aromatic syrup, resulting in a dessert that is both crispy and soft, sweet and savory.

Ingredients

For the Batter:
🥛 2 cups of flour
🌾 1 cup of fine semolina
⚖️ 1 tablespoon of baking powder
🧾 1 tablespoon of yeast
🍬 2 tablespoons of sugar
🥛 2 tablespoons of milk
🌡️ 3 1/2 cups of warm water
🌸 Dash of vanilla powder

For the Syrup:
💧 2 cups of water
🍬 4 cups of sugar
🌹 1 teaspoon of rose water or orange blossom water
🍋 Dash of lemon juice

For the Filling:
🧀 1 block of sweet cheese
🍬 2 tablespoons of sugar
🧀 Handful of mozzarella cheese
🍂 Dash of cinnamon
🌰 Chopped walnuts or pistachios

For Frying:
🫖 About 1/2-inch to 1-inch of cooking oil in a pan

Instructions

1- Prepare the Batter:

• Combine flour, semolina, baking powder, yeast, sugar, milk, and warm water in a mixing bowl. Add vanilla if desired.
• Mix with an electric hand mixer until a smooth consistency is achieved.
• Allow batter to rest for 5 minutes until it begins bubbling.

2- Cook the Pancakes:

• Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat.
• Pour one ladleful of batter into the pan, forming a round pancake.
• Cook only on one side until bubbles appear and pop, firming the edges.
• Remove from the pan and place uncooked side up on a damp cloth.
• Continue with the rest, stacking with a moist cloth covering.

3- Prepare the Syrup:

• Combine water, sugar, rose water, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
• Boil until sugar dissolves completely, then set aside to cool.

4- Prepare the Filling:

• Crumble the sweet cheese into a bowl.
• Mix in sugar thoroughly.
• Add mozzarella, cinnamon, and nuts if desired.

5- Assemble and Fry the Qatayef:

• Place cheese filling onto a cooked pancake's uncooked side.
• Fold into a half-moon shape and press edges to seal.
• Repeat for all pancakes.
• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Fry Qatayef until golden brown on both sides.
• Transfer into cooled syrup for about 1 minute.
• Remove and serve hot, optionally garnished with shredded coconut.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories per serving: Approximately 300 calories
Nutrients per serving: Protein 6g, Fat 7g, Carbohydrates 55g
Equipment: Large mixing bowl, Electric hand mixer, Non-stick frying pan, Ladle, Damp cloth, Saucepan, Tongs, Plates, Metal spoon, Measuring cups/spoons

Cooking Tips:

• Ensure pancakes do not dry out by covering with a damp cloth.
• Assemble quickly to maintain pancake flexibility for sealing.
• Soak in the syrup while hot for maximum absorption.

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Qatayef (Atayef)