Kataifi /Kenefe’ with walnuts / Engouyzov Kenefe’
/ My father’s family side are all Dikranagerdtsi ,we always had this special engouyzov kenefe’ for New Years eve .This dessert is my childhood wonderful old days memories. When my father use to prepare and bake it ;since then, it has been my family’s tradition to bake this delicious walnuts kenefe’ every year on Christmas and New Years . I did change little bit by using clarified butter instead of butter if you want use unsalted butter.Enjoy
Ingredients:
4 packages of each 453g. 16 oz Shredded dough Kataifi
4 cups of clarified butter (6 cups of unsalted butter to have 4 clarified butter)
Filling:
6 cups medium chopped walnuts
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoon sugar
Sugar syrup:
3 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Preparation:
1.Prepare the syrup by combining the sugar and water ,lemon juice in a saucepan.Bring to boil over high heat then reduce and simmer for 5 minutes,keep aside to cool.
2.prepare the filling ,in a bowl add chopped walnuts,3 tablespoons sugar with cinnamon mix well keep aside.
3.Preheat the oven 350 degrees F.
4.Keep aside 2 packages of the kataifi with 2 cups clarified butter for the bottom of pan, and the other 2 packages with 2 cups for the top.
5.In a large bowl Add 2 pounds kenefeh separate them with your finger tips pour melted clarified butter mix until well blended .
6.In a butter coated large baking sheet cake pan (14 x20 ) ,spread the 2 pounds kenefeh pieces and flatten evenly pressing with the hands to smooth (I cover with plastic wrap and press),add on top walnuts mixture,do the same with the other 2 packages mixing with butter and cover over the walnuts ,press very well to smooth the surface.
7.Bake at preheated oven at 350 degrees F.for about 1 hour 15 minutes or until the top golden brown.
8.Take out of oven invert into bigger baking sheet.
9.Pour the cold syrup over hot kataifi and leave aside to cool for 2 hours.
10. Cut into squares and serve ,keep in air tight container in fridge.
