Knefe

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 500 ml milk
• 400 g semolina
• 200 g sugar
• 1 small piece(s) of butter, approx. 50 g
• 1 pack of sesame sticks
• 4 balls of mozzarella
• Butter for the mold
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• possibly rose water

Instructions

Working time approx. 30 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 45 minutes; Total time approx. 1 hour 15 minutes

Lebanese semolina dish

Grease a baking dish with butter and crumble the sesame stalks over it until you have a single layer. The best way to crush the sesame stalks is with a mortar and pestle. Cut the mozzarella into slices. Arrange half of it over the crumbled sesame stalks. Bring the sugar, butter, and semolina to a boil in the milk, stirring constantly. When the semolina solidifies, remove from the heat and pour half over the cheese. Now add another layer of cheese and sprinkle with the remaining sesame stalks. Smooth it out and finally crumble another layer of sesame stalks over it. Place in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) until golden brown. When serving, the knefe is poured over with sugar syrup (ater). Boil two cups of sugar in one cup of water until thickened. Add a few drops of rose water and a teaspoon of lemon juice for flavor. Serve the knefe warm! I learned this recipe from a Lebanese woman. There it is eaten in special sesame buns, but it tastes very good on its own too.