Kataifi Nests With Strawberry Cream And Pistachios Recipes

TORTA KATAIFI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Line the bottom of the springform pan with a layer of the kataifi. Bake until golden brown, 10 minutes. Then cool completely.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
• Place the pistachios, cinnamon and cloves in a food processor and process until the nuts are chunky and uniform in size. Do not over process. Reserve half of the nuts for a later use.
• Sprinkle the first half of the nuts over the baked pastry; spread most of the nuts towards the edges of the pan and fade to a light coating in the center of the pan. This will create a nice crust on the back of each piece when the dessert is cut and served.
• In a large mixing bowl mix together the ricotta, cream, sugar and vanilla with a large spoon. In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or by hand with a whisk, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the ricotta mixture with a spatula or rubber scraper. Pour the mixture into the pan over the nuts. Sprinkle the remaining nuts on top of the ricotta mixture similar to the first time, with most of the nuts on the outer edge and fade to lightly coat the center. Spread the remaining sheet of kataifi on top of the cake, covering the entire surface.
• Bake until golden brown and the cake is set, 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Cool the cake completely.
• Pour the hot Citrus Syrup over the cooled cake, then cut and serve.
• Place the sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and orange zest in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the mixture achieves a syrup consistency, 20 minutes.

PISTACHIO BIRD'S NESTS

Steps:

• Soak the pistachios in water for 30 mins. Dissolve the sugar in 500ml water in a pan over a medium heat, then bring to a boil and bubble for 15-20 mins or until reduced and lightly syrupy. Stir in the lemon and boil for a minute more.
• Cover the kataifi with a damp cloth so it doesn't dry out. Take a finely twisted 30cm length of pastry and wrap it in a circular motion around two fingers into a nest shape. Transfer to a baking tray, then repeat with the rest of the pastry.
• Drain the pistachios and gently press four or five into the middle of each nest. Cover the nests with a layer of baking parchment, then put another baking tray on top and put a 1kg weight on top. Leave at room temperature for 1 hr, then remove the parchment and leave for another hour to dry out.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Pour the butter over and around the nests, so that they're sitting in a layer of melted butter. Cook for 20-25 mins until golden brown, turning the tray from time to time to make sure the nests are evenly coloured. Leave to cool for 10 mins, then transfer to a clean baking tray and pour over the syrup. Leave to cool completely in the syrup, then serve.

KATAIFI NESTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Brush 12 muffin cups with butter or use silicone muffin pans.
• Pull the kataifi into 1-inch-thick bundles; cut bundles into 2-inch lengths. Place in a bowl; separate into a loose pile with fingers. Toss with butter, sugar, and cinnamon, if using.
• Divide among 12 muffin cups; press into bottom and up the sides.
• Cook until golden and crisp around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Let cool.
• Fill with jelly beans, speckled eggs or other candy eggs.