Qatayef ( Arabic Pancakes)

Qatayef or Atayef is an Arabic pancake filled with cheese and nuts. Usually served during ramadhan. The authentic recipe calls for Akkawi cheese which is non existent here so I used Belcube cheese (that was in my fridge this morning) :-)

1/2 tsp instant yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup warm water

Mix the above ingredients set aside until frothy for 5 min. Then add the flour and the rest of the ingredients, mix well, cover and let it rise for 30 min.

1 cup All purpose flour
1/4 cup sugi (semolina)
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder

Pour batter onto ungreased nonstick pan just like how you would make a pancake.

So not cook the other side of the pancake. Remove from pan once the TOP part is dry with no wet mixture

For the filling I used Belcube cheese, sugar and cashew nibs. You can always use any other nuts , cream cheese, feta or even ricotta.

Pinch the edges.

Deep fry until golden. Pour sugar syrup on both sides.

Orange Blossom Syrup

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp orange blossom water

Simmer sugar and water until thickened and all sugar is melted.
Add orange blossom water. Alternatively u can use rose water