Ekmek Kataifi: Εκμέκ κανταΐφι

Εκμέκ κανταΐφι

Serves 12:
1 pound kataifi dough, defrosted and at room temperature
½ pound unsalted butter, melted
Ground cinnamon
For the syrup:
3 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup Greek honey
2 batches of my pastry cream
​homemade whipped cream
Garnish: sliced almonds, salted ground pistachios, or ground walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 177 degrees Celsius.
Take the kataifi dough out of its packaging. It should be at room temperature. Pull apart the strands as much as possible. Detangling as you go so that they are not clumped together. Place the detangled strands into a baking pan. You can bake this in a half sheet pan or a 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top and bake until golden. About 35-40 minutes.
While the kataifi is baking prepare the syrup.
Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Mix well so that the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the honey. Mix well and set aside to cool completely.
Pour the cooled syrup over the kataifi dough as soon as it comes out of the oven. The kataifi should be piping hot and the syrup should be cool.
Set aside for about 30-40 minutes so that the pastry can absorb the syrup. Dust a very generous amount of ground cinnamon over it. This can be done a few days before assembling. Once cooled, it stays fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Take the prepared pastry cream out of the refrigerator and beat it until smooth. Sometimes pastry cream becomes thick and lumpy when refrigerated. Adding a couple tablespoons of whipped cream and whisking it smoothes it back out.
Layer the pastry cream evenly over the kataifi.
Fill a pastry bag with whipped cream and pipe 12 rosettes over the pastry cream. One per slice.
Garnish each rosette with sliced almonds and a dusting of ground cinnamon.
Enjoy!

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[hersheybee]

Diimitra, I made your Ekmek Kataifi for a bridal shower. IT WAS A HIT!! This recipe and others that I have tried from you, turned out amazing. Seriously, you have turned me into a chef/Baker...Thank you for sharing your recipes.
Toula, from Montreal Canada 😘

[okuroynaryazar]

I really found this recipe interesting and original. I am from Turkey, and we called this one kadayıf tatlısı (kadayif dessert). In Turkey Ekmek means bread so the base is not kadayıf. The base is cake, but ekmek kadayıfı has cream on top just like you did. I want to give it a try. Thank you...

[irizperez]

I had no life before you...lol thank you so much for all of your wonderful traditional recipes.

[Wikidiane]

Thank you from France. I didn’t know these good Things. Your recipes are very very good. Thanks 😀😀😀😀😀🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

[immitable]

Awesome, i tried this long time ago in Greece as well, it is awesome since the custard or parfait cream is lighter on sugar and contrasts the sirupy base very well. Also beatyful chilled on a hot summer day. Thank you Dimitra. Awesome channel.

[pbjpsgc]

My greek husband and his family and friends have never had this. Or heard of it until recently.

[susanmarino]

Thank you for yummy recipes. Can't wait to try this one

[tanvav]

Ekmek kataifi sounds yummy and interesting. I wish if you can get a chance that you could please do the Italian rainbow cookies and the cannolis recipe.

[pwp]

I had a hard time finding kataïfi so I used Shredded Wheat, I found the large size 4x3". I think the Canadian ones are larger than those available in the US.

[Stardust_]

looked your kataifi recipe up last night and making them now!!! can't wait my uncle loves this so I promised I would make them again for him for Christmas!! now I am looking for the little packages that have the same filling I think only using the sheets to fold it into? no idea what it's called!

[albamorales]

Wow....you definitely need to put out a cookbook. You always turn what seems to be an overwhelming recipe into a very doable thing. Thank you for sharing your talent. BTW, do you know how to make tiramisu gelato? I can't seem to find a recipe for it. I would really appreciate any feedback on that. A Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[sinkvenice]

I live in a small coastal town on the south coast of England and I looked up how much it’ll cost to buy the dough fro amazon and have it shipped here. The dough just on its own is $78! 🤣 I might have a bash at making it myself, do you think that’s advisable?

[jazzye]

Where the recipe for the pastry cream is?

[darlenem]

I just finished making lemon Curd from freshly picked meyeres lemons. I bet this would be phenominal on top of the kataifi just as you prepared it here!!! Let me know if you're interested in the recipe. YUMMY

[marireda]

Hey Dimitra! I ADORE your channel one of my favourite channels for sure . I've been trying to make katayfi cones and the dough is just not cooperating! Do you have a recipe or technique to share ?

[minagordon]

wow great dish girl fit for the gods regards pete

[victoriafisher]

That is Turkish dessert ! We make it very often !

[fullreactionband]

This is definitely a Turkish dish. It is from Afyonkarahisar where its located in West eastern Anatolia.