Canadians take a bite: The surge of filo pastry in homes
Not too long ago, you could find one or two rolls of puff pastry in every home freezer. Today, alongside this well-known product for quick sweet and savoury baking, it's trendy to have filo pastry on hand too. Canadians are buying it in large quantities from stores. Will each one become the next Dubai chocolate?
One of the key ingredients of the viral Dubai chocolate is kataifi dough, giving it its characteristic crispy texture. It is made of very thin fibres resembling "angel hair." Although the process of making kataifi differs from the filo pastry recipe, a surprisingly similar effect can be achieved using this more accessible product.
How to make Dubai chocolate with filo pastry?
Not long ago, few had heard of Dubai chocolate; today, it is a symbol of luxury. When it appears on store shelves, the entire shipment disappears in minutes. Culinary websites are lending a hand by suggesting how to recreate the recipe for Dubai delight at home. One way is to use filo pastry — much more accessible than the exotic kataifi.
To make homemade Dubai chocolate, besides filo pastry, you need high-quality dark chocolate and pistachio cream. Some people also include rose water among the ingredients. To achieve a filling with a characteristic texture, cut the filo pastry into ultra-thin strips, then fry them in butter until crispy. Mix the prepared threads with pistachio cream and place them on solidifying chocolate laid out in a silicone mold. Cover the green filling with a second layer of liquid chocolate. Optionally, sprinkle with edible gold dust.
Other desserts using thin sheets
Filo pastry is used in various cuisines around the world. In Greece, it's an indispensable ingredient for a savoury snack called spanakopita, where the crunchy layered dough is filled with spinach and cheese. In the Middle East, filo is used to prepare baklava — a sweet dessert with nuts and honey. In the Balkans, filo pastry serves as a base for many dishes and snacks, such as burek — a snail-shaped pie filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables. In Austria and Hungary, cheese or apple strudels are very popular.
Filo pastry recipe
The popularity of Dubai chocolate is growing daily, and filo pastry is disappearing from store shelves as quickly as this luxurious treat. It's worthwhile knowing how to prepare this essential ingredient at home.
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of all-purpose flour,
- 60 millilitres of olive oil,
- 125 millilitres of warm water,
- a pinch of salt.
Preparation:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour with olive oil and salt.
- Gradually add warm water, kneading the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Divide the dough into several balls. Cover with a bowl and leave for about 30 minutes to rest.
- Roll out each ball into a very thin sheet. The sheets should be almost transparent.
- Use the prepared pastry immediately or freeze in layers, separating them with baking paper.
