Kanafeh with nuts

I find out the history of Kunafa Nuts and why they're made

that forOriental sweets Although there are many varieties of oriental sweets, there are certain types of oriental sweets that are well-liked by all and have been recognized as the most popular in the world. Candy In all Arab occasions such as the holy month of Ramadan, the most prominent of these types is the "Kunafa tray", which has a pure oriental basis, as it is served with nuts, cream or custard, and recently some have introduced Nutella chocolate, as well as Ottoman Kunafa, which has become one of the most important types of Kunafa that many people buy due to the introduction of cream and fruits such as mango and banana in its contents.

The original reason for making kunafa

It was discovered during the era of the mandate of "Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan" at the time of his mandate over the Levant, and it is said that he was the first to eat it and that was at the time of Suhoor in the holy month of Ramadan, and this is due to the fact that Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan was very hungry and thirsty during the fasting hours, so the kunafa was a medical recipe given to him by "Muhammad bin Athal the doctor" in order to prevent him from feeling hunger and thirst, and the kunafa that was made specially for Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan, and that is why it was initially called "Muawiya's kunafa".

Kunafa in the Fatimid Era

It was discovered during the era of the mandate of "Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan" at the time of his mandate over the Levant, and it is narrated that he was the first to eat it and that was at the time of Suhoor in the holy month of Ramadan, and this is due to the fact that Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan was very hungry and thirsty during the fasting hours and therefore the kunafa was a medical recipe given to him by "Muhammad bin Athal The doctor" in order to prevent him from feeling hungry and thirsty, and the kunafa had a great prosperity and wide fame in the Fatimid era, the kunafa was one of the sweets that was eaten throughout the year, and those who did not eat it throughout the year ate it specifically in the month of Ramadan, and since then the kunafa has been famous and closely associated with the month of Ramadan.

Hajj Arafa the Kunafa Maker

When Muhammad Ali ruled over Egypt, he went to the great-grandfather of Hajj Atriss, who was known as the most famous kanafeh in Cairo in the Sayeda Zeinab area and was called (Hajj Arafa), and he started making it again.

How to Make Kunafa in the Olden Days

The manufacture of kunafa differed in the past from its current manufacture, as in the past they used physical cones from which the dough could sneak out on a flat sheet and was leveled by placing the sheet on charcoal or wood, and it was sometimes filled with what they had available, and some people used to go to the kunafa maker carrying their own ghee and sugar to make it for them.

Types of kunafa 

The original traditional kunafa is of two types (fine kunafa and coarse kunafa) and both types are filled with sweet white cheese, but it has been developed in many ways now and can be served in countless ways including: - kunafa with cream, kunafa with mango...

Hair Kanafeh: This is a thin strand of kunafa that is as thin as hair and utilizes a machine and is called a machine kunafa.

Kanafeh handmade: It is the one that relies on the traditional method through the bowl with holes and is called Baladi Kunafa.

Kunafa shapes and fillings

• Mango Kunafa: It is considered one of the most famous types of kunafa that has spread in recent times, which was closely linked to the holy month of Ramadan as a gift when going to a holiday or when serving it to guests at home, it has a distinctive and excellent taste as it consists of kunafa, sugar, mango juice and mango pieces, in addition to the basic ingredients ghee, flour and vanilla.
• Nutella Kanafeh: It is one of the desserts that helps to fill up quickly and significantly, due to the chocolate and the heaviness of the filling, but it is one of the tastiest flavors that can be felt, and it consists of regular chocolate or Nutella in addition to the kanafeh itself, ghee, sugar, flour, vanilla and the usual ingredients.
• Red Velvet Kanafeh
• Marshmallow Kanafeh
• Nougat kunafa
• Kunafa with cream: It is considered one of the soft and newly famous kunafa in the form of thick fingers filled with cream and sometimes pistachios, it consists of hair-shaped kunafa, powdered milk, starch, caster sugar, vanilla, cream, flour and ghee, and when the ingredients are mixed together you can taste the most beautiful and delicious desserts.
• Kunafa with nuts: It is one of the most delicious types of kunafa, especially when combined with the different forms of nuts that harmonize within its ingredients to give you a unique and different taste.

How to Make Kanafeh with Nuts

Ingredients:

Kanafeh dough: 500 grams

Butter : 1/4 cup (or margarine)

powdered sugar : teaspoon

Nuts : To taste (almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts or any kind of nuts)

Cinnamon : teaspoon (ground)

sugar : teaspoon

coconut : tablespoon

Raisins : to taste

sugar : two and a half glasses

Water : 3 cups

butter : Teaspoon (or margarine)

Vanilla : The tip of a teaspoon

Method of preparation:

• In a bowl, rub the kunafa well so that it forms small bristles.
• Stir in the melted butter (or ghee) and sugar and make sure they are well combined.
• In another bowl, mix all the nuts together.
• Top with sugar, cinnamon, coconut and raisins.
• Grease a tray with oil and place half of the kunafa in it.
• Top the kunafa with the nut mixture and then a layer of the remaining kunafa.
• Place the tray in the oven until the top of the kunafa is golden.
•  In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, butter (or margarine), and vanilla.
• Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Set the syrup aside to cool.
• When the kunafa tray is taken out, it is immersed in the syrup.

Learn about some of the benefits of kunafa

• The nuts that are added to kunafa are important for overall health, as they contain antioxidants, which help prevent cancer.
• They contain vitamin B and iron, both of which contribute to the formation of red blood cells, helping to prevent anemia.
• It is considered one of the desserts rich in carbohydrates, which provides the body with the energy needed to perform its daily activities.

In the end, Kunafa with nuts is one of the most widely spread Arabic oriental sweets in all countries of the world in general and Arab countries in particular, as it has a wide base of the public who agree about it a lot, and this is because Kunafa has a special charm and a different character that always leaves it in the mouth of those who taste it.