Knafeh has also set up shop in Bay Ridge the past few Sundays and made other appearances around town. He flicks a button on his phone and upbeat Middle Eastern music blares from the speakers. I also like to make food look pretty, because when it looks good, doesnt it just taste better? We feel privileged that we can showcase some of the dishes that we grew up on. It was more of a passion project; something that showcased our mothers recipe. He drew on his background as an architect and an old dream of creating something out of shipping containers (he'd done a case study on them while in school) -- and the box-based Knafeh bakery was born. Using a butter knife, scrape the sides of the knafeh, if they are sticking to the sides of the pan. Follow the packet instructions to thaw the frozen dough. I could be wrong, but my guess is that their knafeh has been modified to appeal to a wider market, which makes sense considering they are only selling one product. Use a flat bottom bowl to press the dough into place to make an even layer. What separates customer service from hospitality is the genuine desire to serve and provide. After our chat, Joey returns to the shipping container, which has set up outside a Melbourne shopping centre for the weekend. (optional) Include your @instagramhandle or email if you want us to tag/send you the finished story you've requested. Please read our. If you like knafeh, you probably love it with a capital L. The traditional dessert is usually cooked in deep sheet pans and served warm. To mix it with shredded phyllo dough and create the knafeh crust. When peeled, soaked, removed of their brownish skins and chopped finely, these chartreuse-hued nuts, which can cost up to $40 per kilo, really gussy up the dish. This is a mix of the freshest minced lamb and bulgur with essential seven spices (baharat). Far from the streets of Tel Aviv, Amal Paro stands over a custom-rigged stovetop that he purchased in Turkey. No matter the combination of spices no doubt including cloves, cinnamon and lemon they all have a 1:4 ratio of water to sugar. Delicious Lebanese knafeh recipe! Knafeh from El Marsa Restaurant in Acre (Akko). It was meticulously planned down to every tiny detail. Grease an 8-inch baking pan and add a drop of orange food color (optional) to the base and sides. Youll hear how important it is to create a genuine experience around Joey describes knafeh as a sweet cheese and semolina pudding; similar to a warm creme brulee but sprinkled with pistachio and drizzled with sugar syrup. The Knafeh itself was delicious. The shredded Phyllo dough will be the top of the Kanafeh. Beard or no beard. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until you bring the mixture to a boil and until the mixture thickens. With its rising popularity, this Lebanese dessert comes in varied variations nowadays. Indulge your sweet tooth with the heavenly Middle Eastern dessert, Kunafa! You can reheat it in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds and serve it warm. Do not turn into fine crumbs if using a food processor. To use it, you have to shred it into smaller pieces until it looks like vermicelli. Hope this helps. Iranian pistachios are considered the best in the world, but the second best would be Halabi pistachios, from a species that originated in Aleppo, Syria, which was one of the worlds largest producers of the nut prior to the current civil war. The world is too big to be from one place, Multicultural stories from around the globe. Shred the dough into smaller pieces until it looks like vermicelli, by hand or using a food processor. The brothers got their start in cafes and restaurants, opening Bar Biscotti in a former biscuit factory in North Strathfield, Sydney, in their early 20s. There's a reason they've been so popular in Australia for the last couple of years. From there they opened a restaurant, but their chefs always became frustrated no matter what they made, people only wanted a taste of their mums knafeh. We just couldnt keep up with the demand, Joey says. The Bearded Bakers Smash Stereotypes with Cheesy Middle The other variation of making the Knafeh filling includes the addition of cheese in it. Not to mention your instructions were very clear, I love it! Whether you prefer it with a cheese or cream filling, topped with pistachios or honey syrup like the one we used in Baklava Cheesecake, there's a Kunafa out there for everyone. Knafeh is a popular dessert throughout the Middle East and is often enjoyed on special occasions, such as weddings, Eid al-Fitr, and Ramadan. Place a flat serving plate on top of the pan and using both hands flip the pan over onto the plate. I'll let you google what that actually is, but I tried it for the first time this year somewhere else in Melbourne and while I found it interesting, it was WAY too sweet! The Bearded Bakers x Duru Bulgur limited-edition meals are available to order from FoodSt. Knafeh Bakery, which comprises a traveling refurbished shipping container, provides more than the famed dessert it promises a complete experience where you get a glimpse of Palestinian culture and music. Add a drop of orange food color (again optional) and spread it well onto the base and sides of the baking tray. If you are located in the US, I always buy BELGIOIOSO CHEESE, it works great. No, knafeh is not made of vermicelli. Mum always cooked all this amazing food and people were always coming over to our house, says Joey. Easy Knafeh/Kunafa Pour half of the cooled sugar syrup over the knafeh. Immediately invert the baked Kunafa onto a serving platter and pour half of the prepared syrup on top. Its also about breaking down the negative stereotypes that often surround Middle Eastern men with beards. The most classic choice for making the type of knafeh enjoyed in Israel is Nabulsi (Nablus), a soft-brined cheese that is firm yet has the ability to melt. People were still desperate to get their hands on some knafeh, so the brothers pivoted to home delivery, a drive-thru and a we make it, you bake it option. For the El-Issa brothers, Knafeh Bakery is about more than just sharing their mothers delectable knafeh recipe with eager Aussie foodies. To the melted butter add orange food coloring if using and mix. 16 ounce box shredded phyllo dough, thawed, 3 tablespoons cream of wheat or fine semolina flour. Varying from country to country, village to village, and even household to household, knafeh recipes depend on a few key flavors and raw materials: Kadaif flour-and-water noodles(or hairs, as they are referred to in Hebrew) are best made by master artisans. One can even find restaurants around Israel serving ice cream-studded plated knafeh adorned with candies, foams and sauces, in both dairy and vegan varieties. The next Melbourne location will be announced soon. Add a layer of ground pistachios on top of the cream (optional). Reserve the rest for serving with each piece. He launched Knafeh Bakery in 2014 alongside his brother, Ameer, and sister, Mouna. So happy you and your family have been liking The Salt and Sweet Kitchens recipes Knafeh is a favorite of mine! The customers are also predominantly women: they all swoon over the bearded bakers, and on numerous occasions one or two have told me that theyd been following the gentlemen on their journey around Melbournes suburbs. We use a locally-made cheese but we put a bit of a twist to it. Pour the butter over the dough and mix to coat it well. As you order your knafeh, you'll see the so-called bearded bakers ladling batter into plates, spritzing rose water wash with grand arcs of the arm, and drizzling syrup with flourish, all making for entertaining dessert theater. It soaks through the pastry to soften it, seal in the freshness, and yes, even weigh it down a bit since many bakeries sell their baked goods by weight. Anyone can make a coffee or a good meal. Keep the pan in place upside down for a couple minutes to help keep the knafeh in shape. Smooth Knafeh Filling (Ashta) 500 ml (2 cups) Milk 250 ml (1 cup) Cream - Use heavy cream or fresh cream here. It was an absolute ball. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. But there are a group of blokes who have breathed a whole new meaning into the concept, and they are taking it global. Vermicelli, on the other hand, is a type of thin pasta that is often used in soups, stews, and desserts. Make a change from your habitual meal and order perfectly cooked knafeh at Knafeh. June 22, 2015. Even thought the image above shows mozzarella cheese in it, I did not use it in the final recipe and hence not including its measurements here. Remove the syrup from the heat, add the rosewater, give it a quick stir. Jessica Halfin is an American immigrant who arrived in Israel in 2006. It may seem like a lot of steps and daunting but each step takes hardly a few minutes to put together so definitely even though the list is long it definitely falls under the easiest way to make a delicious dessert kind of recipe. It calls for grinding soaked soy beans with sugar and water to create a knafeh cheese substitute. You feel a thrill of privilege as you wonder what song will play as you are called up to the truck, and which of the bakers will hand you your dessert with their trademark smile and flourish. We are cottage bakery -which means we bake out of a non-commercial kitchen, and are not subject to health We stood on our chairs and shook the dressing for our salad, that we had collected at the spice table on our way in. Thanks again! Keep changing water, until it loses most of its salt. Serve warm with the remaining sugar syrup on the side. Basically, you are sandwiching the layer of cream between the phyllo dough layers. "Queens has been amazing, Brooklyn's been incredible," El-Issa said of the month that he's been in New York so far with the entire Knafeh team from Sydney (including his mother). Cheese Kunafa: This is the most common type of Kunafa and is made with a sweet cheese filling, such as Nabulsi or Akkawi cheese. Seriously WILD! Check out where they are set up and check them out if they are near by. Its pretty special.. Cookies & Cream. If you buy the frozen one, make sure its completely thawed and at room temperature before using. Bearded bakers: AJ and Joey El-Issa of Knafeh Bakery. Once the feast of food got well and truly underway, it just became a party and it was the most fun weve had in a long time. And for us to be able to showcase her recipe, in an authentic and innovative way? Overwhelmed and don't know where to start from let me guide you in this journey of HOME BAKING!!! Method 1. 11209. WebHello from The Bearded Baker, thanks so much for visiting our site! Print the recipe from the recipe card below. All these corporate people were reaching out to us, wanting to work with the Bearded Bakers, Joey says. It was about food theatre, it was about personality, it was about sights and smells and everything that a market place embodies, says Ameer. Spread the ashta cream evenly on top, leaving the sides of the base. The shocking sweetness of Arabic sweets is a stark contrast to the dark Turkish-style espresso known as Arabic coffee, or simply black coffee in Hebrew, often served alongside. I skipped the ricotta and used sweet cheese that I got at a middle Eastern grocery store, So glad to hear! The stovetop perfectly accommodates two oversized trays, and this relatively small cooking surface is where he prepares the days portion of knafeh for his bakery, Mamtakei Daliat el-Carmel (Daliat el-Carmel Sweets). Hello Mila, sorry about that. I dont like to say this, but if I die, Ive left you something sweet. They probably cost a couple dollars more than what you would get at the pastry shop but well worth the trip and extra change. We always tell people we stop counting after a thousand, says Joey. They will look about the size of vermicelli. This style is what he hopes to bring to Kanafanji customers in Tel Aviv. You can do this by hand or can use a food processor to speed up the process. Admittedly, the knafeh on offer is different its a lot lighter and smoother in texture, and the sugar syrup does not overpower the cream cheese, but it is delicious. Alternatively, other goat or sheep cheese of similar texture can be used in the dish, or even fresh ricotta, which is often used in knafeh that comes in the form of a rolled log. Knafeh Recipe - The Salt and Sweet Kitchen Knafeh | LinkedIn . Switch on the flame to medium heat and cook the mixture until it thickens. Knafeh is best enjoyed warm! "Once we can make it in New York, we can make it anywhere.". I like to add rosewater and a slice of lemon for extra flavor. Another is coming soon to Dubai, where a lot of Australian dairy is exported. Website The Palestinian na'ameh features a smooth crust made with ground semolina or farkeh, while the Lebanese kishneh version uses shredded phyllo dough for a crunchier texture. I thought it would be complicated, but it was easier than baking a cake. It took off. It may look like a hip espresso bar, but Kanafanji specializes in knafeh (also spelled kanafeh), an Arabic dessert made with shredded vermicelli-like pastry noodles (kadaif) moistened with clarified butter, covered with crumbles of sheep or goat cheese and seared on both sides until golden. So happy to hear you tried and enjoyed my knafeh recipe. We always had a passion for people and food through mum and dad being hospitable. Singing, dancing, music, friendship and beards. Otherwise, try out a knafeh and have fun!! The Bearded Baker Nashville The knafehs are being dished up at the first New York outpost of the Australian bakery, which has made appearances at the Queens Night Market and the 3rd Avenue Festival in Bay Ridge. Dark Chocolate (GF) Mint Chip (GF) Mud Pie. Knafeh is popular Lebanese and Middle Eastern dessert made with a layer of shredded Phyllo dough, a layer of sweet cheese and a special knafeh filling mixture. Lebanese knafeh is then topped with a simple syrup, making a delicious savory and sweet dessert. Bearded Bakers' Serve Up Knafeh Desserts From Shipping We're very blessed, says Joey. When it is finally the golden hue he seeks, he lifts the tray and expertly flips its contents into an empty metal tray of the exact same size. Add melted butter and colouring and mix well with your hands. WebKnafeh | 5 followers on LinkedIn. I'm no kanafeh expert but I know that these bad boys are served warm, melted and topped with pistachios and rose syrup. The Knafeh Bakery is trending, thanks to some funky dance routines. At Knafeh New York, you'll find only the eponymous dessert on the menu. For us, family is the foundation of everything we do, it starts with that, Ameer says. Please follow along and lets cook something good! Photo: courtesy Samneh (ghee) is clarified butter, heated in a saucepan and skimmed of the milk solids that float to the top, leaving pure butterfat behind. Delicious desserts aside, the secret to any successful business is the passion that lies behind it. I am reminded of the time my husband mentioned to his Druze friend upon a visit to the village of Isfiya that knafeh was his favorite sweet. Savory Kunafa: Unlike the sweet variations, Savory Kunafa is made with a savory filling, such as ground meat or vegetables, and is served as a main course. [Its about] Going back to our roots and showing people there is beauty in simple things, He said, adding That was what the whole night was about, going back to basics and doing simple things really well., On whether the event will become a more regular occurrence, Ameer tells us that the reaction they received has given them the confidence to do more, once we have recovered.. Whatever the case may be, I think they've got the recipe for success! Traditional knafeh is quite a heavy, intense dessert, says Ameer. Ive been eating knafeh since I was a baby, and I dont plan on stopping anytime soon. Instead, you can fill it with sweetened cream (like today's recipe) or simply nuts. Kanafeh can be served as dessert, snack or breakfast. Chef Alaa Musa of the legendaryEl Marsa restaurantin Acre (Akko) and Lux restaurant in downtown Haifa prefers to use ricotta in his knafeh. He sells three different kinds of knafeh: one flat, made on a large tray containing the famous Nabulsi cheese and kept warm, cut into squares for customers; one that is rolled into knafeh fingers with softer fresh ricotta inside; and a round personal pan made to order. That dash of love is no doubt what makes the Bearded Bakers so appealing, and Knafeh Bakery so popular. Is it possible to assemble in advance and bake the next day ? In the process, they established a marketing agency called Baker Media. Do I have to do something to it before baking ? Melt butter and add orange food coloring (optional). Four lines of large open flames engulf a deep-lipped tray of knafeh. If it is hard to source then you can also use rose water or rose essence instead. Blackberry Crumble. The Knafeh should be golden brown on top and the cheese filling should be melted and gooey. Transfer to a medium sized bowl, and mix with melted butter until all pieces are coated with butter. Chocolate Kunafa: Chocolate Kunafa is a modern twist on the traditional dessert, and is made with a chocolate filling that is layered between the phyllo dough. In South Tel Aviv, in a gentrified historical neighborhood calledFlorentin, British immigrant Dean Essa recently opened a new culinary hangout,Kanafanji. I had never tried it before but I'll certainly be having it again =). Finally, add orange blossom water and lemon juice to flavor the syrup. Ive never made kunafa this way. For more on the Bearded Bakers and where theyll pop up next, click here. Pistachios are still referred to as fistuk halabi, or Aleppian pistachios, in many Israeli markets. Knafeh nabulseyeh recipe - Recipes - delicious.com.au And my brother always wanted to do something out of a shipping container. The high-quality kind are produced in specialty factories from batter poured through a sieve or draped with a special tool onto a moving heated circle that quickly cooks the angel hair-thin strands as they spin. I have to be honest, I've had what I thought was some pretty good kanafeh before, but enter The bearded bakers and their cool set up. He grabs a cordless microphone and, with a flawless radio announcer voice, declares to everyone within earshot that Knafeh Bakery is open for business. All the while, they never stop making knafeh. In Middle Eastern cuisine Knafeh is a traditional breakfast, much like waffles or pancakes in the US. 7 tbsp Cornflour 5 tbsp Sugar 1 tsp Vanilla Even thought the image above shows mozzarella cheese in it, I did not use it in the final recipe and hence not including its measurements here. Knafeh is most suitably used as a treat or for a celebration. The bearded bakers put on quite the show as they lovingly call out customers names embellished on their serviettes or boxes. New York Hall of Science. Your email address will not be published. WebThe Bearded Bakers Authentic Jerusalem Street Food Hi were Ameer and Joey, the brothers behind The Bearded Bakers, you might know us for the singing and smooth moves we roll Every week on social media, they announce the location of their Melbourne, Sydney and New York shipping container pop-ups, Knafeh Bakery. The Bearded Baker In a small non-stick pan, over medium heat combine milk, cream of wheat and sugar, whisking constantly to work out any lumps. Other former Jerusalemites areThe Bearded Bakers, known for the antics they perform to entertain their customers, spread a similar sentiment to places like New York City and Sydney, Australia, with their knafeh food trucks that peddle round single-size servings that are both creamy and light. Can be easily made with sugar and water. El-Issa, whose father was born in Jerusalem and mother in Jordan, says he comes from a family where "we were always surrounded by food and people," and learned the pleasure of eating was just as much about the experience as the product. The core ingredient well my mum would always say its love but But before we knew it, it became our full-time gig.. Yeah, he says, not missing a beat, a million bucks for charity, nothing less.. In this Knafeh recipe version, we are making the Ashta Cream as the filling which is then sandwiched between the Knafeh dough. Mon 8am-5pm. Sunday: Third Avenue Festival. Bayridge, Brooklyn. All Rights Reserved. Shredded phyllo dough comes frozen or dried, both work for this recipe. These are just a few of the many different variations of Kunafa that can be found in the Middle East and beyond. Knafeh (also spelled Kunafa, Konafa, or Kanafeh) is a Middle Eastern dessert made of crispy layers of shredded phyllo dough that are filled with either sweet cheese or ashta cream or a combination of both and then soaked in a sweet simple syrup that is scented with orange blossom water or rose water and often topped with chopped nuts or other garnishes. Top the cheese with a layer of the knafeh filling. So glad to hear youve made and enjoyed my Knafeh recipe , Hi ! Hours. She is an Israeli-trained baker, gourmet cook, food and culture writer, and gives foodie tours to tourists in Haifa City. Cooking and baking are a huge passion of mine! Chef Harel Zakaim of the famous vegan gourmet restaurantZakaimin Tel Aviv offers his vegan knafeh recipe online. The Bearded Bakers begin to shimmy, stomp and slap goblet drums. I'm no kanafeh expert but I know that these bad boys are served warm, melted and topped with pistachios and rose syrup. This kunafa recipe was exceptionally good! The Knafeh New York shipping container was outfitted in Sydney and shipped from there over water, taking six weeks to arrive in New York. Or freeze it in a zip lock bag in the freezer for 2 months. 7510 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn. Knafeh at Keturah: The Bearded Bakers Bring Signature Food Add orange blossom water and lemon juice to flavor the syrup and set aside. Easy recipe to follow and delicious. The brothers are fiercely proud of their heritage, but theyre even prouder of their mum. Bake until bubbly and browned a little on the side and top- about 40 minutes. Walking into the outdoor food hall was mesmerising. The recommended products below are affiliate links to products I use and love! Youre on the roll with trying all these Lebanese recipes! But it's interactive, too: they dance and beat on drums and jump over the counter to dance with the crowd as music plays. Transfer half of the kataifi dough to the pan and use your hands or something flat-bottomed (like a glass) to spread and level out the layer. The bearded bakers put on quite the show as they lovingly call out customers names embellished on their serviettes or boxes. It is made of shredded phyllo dough, which is sometimes referred to as kataifi, and is typically soaked in a sweet syrup or topped with a savory cheese filling. Press the cheese firmly into the tray on top of the topping (this dish is constructed backwards). Bake the Knafeh in a preheated oven at a medium high heat until the cheese has mostly melted. Bring to a boil sugar and water to make the simple syrup and cool to room temperature. He buys his kadaif and orange food coloring in Nazareth, a 45-minute journey east. There's no rhyme or reason to how they have fun, El-Issa says -- they just go with the flow, and the music they play follows no set playlist. This striking golden liquid is much richer than ordinary melted butter, intensifying the buttery flavor of the knafeh. "We feel like it's very hard to have knafeh and not be happy," El-Issa said simply. The Bearded Bakers also started partnering with other businesses, especially those that were struggling due to the pandemic and needed a little extra help. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a8c6fcbd20ed42595330eccac465bf19" );document.getElementById("f70c884dcc").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. Wolter I used a 12-inch/30cm round pan. Hello Mike, Knafeh is best enjoyed warm, so this is actually the best way to ensure you eat it fresh! #126 of 326 places to eat in Brunswick East, #223 of 326 places to eat in Brunswick East, #224 of 326 places to eat in Brunswick East, #319 of 326 places to eat in Brunswick East, Having a bad day at work or school? Alongside the long banquet table, fit for group feasting, were the family members of brothers Ameer and Joey El-issa. Theres definitely a calling for it, especially in Sydney, youve got so much opportunity to do something like that.