Pancakes with Sweet Pistachio Cheese Filling (Palestinian Qatayef Asafiri)

Qatayef - One of the most popular desserts, especially during Ramadan. Qatayef can be described as a cross between a pancake and a dumpling, made from yeasted batter and once fried, then stuffed with cheese and nuts. Oftentimes walnuts (joz) are utilized, as well as a supple topping of simple syrups and ground pistachios. Sometimes the cheese is even charmed with cardamom or rose water to add a special Palestinian flare. This recipe is for Qatayef Asafiri and is a delicious, fragrant and beautiful Arabian pancake stuffed with sweet cheese filling and ground pistachios. A great addition to your pancake repertoire.

Pancake Batter:
½ cup warm water
½ tsp. active dried yeast
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour, unbleached
½ tsp. baking powder
1¼ cup milk
1 tsp. orange blossom water (optional)

Sweet Cheese Filling:
2 cups farmers or ricotta cheese
¼ cup plain yogurt
¾ tsp. ground cardamom
½ tsp. rose water
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup ground pistachios

To Serve:
honey or rose water simple syrup

Pancake Batter:
In a large mixing bowl combine warm water with yeast and sugar.

Set aside for 10 minutes. Then add milk.

In the meantime, combine the rest of the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.

Add the dry ingredients into the milk mixture gradually and whisk creating the pancake batter without lumps.

Set aside the batter for 15-20 minutes to give the yeast time to wake up.
Preheat a non-greased non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.

Pour ⅛ of a cup of batter into a preheated skillet and fry the pancake on one side until the top surface is no longer shiny, about 2-3 minutes.

The bubbles created during the frying process is a good indication that yeast in the batter is working properly.

Once the surface is dry and no longer shiny remove the pancake onto a clean kitchen towel and cover to prevent it from drying out. Continue with the rest of the batter.
Adjust the heat as needed so the bottom part of the pancake doesn't burn.

Let the pancakes cool slightly, then fold into half circle and seal it pressing gently on the sides. Leave a small opening for the filling.

With a small spoon, fill the opening with sweet cheese filling.

Sweet Cheese Filling:
Combine all the ingredients in the mixing bowl and stuff the Qatayef Asafiri. Dip each pancake into some ground pistachios and serve with honey or simple syrup.

Makes 20 pancakes.