Filo pastry frenzy: Dubai chocolate sparks a global trend
Not too long ago, you might find one or two rolls of puff pastry in every home freezer. These days, alongside this well-known product for quick sweet and savoury baking, it's become fashionable to have a supply of filo pastry. People are buying it in bulk from shops. Will everyone turn it into Dubai chocolate?
One of the key ingredients of viral chocolate is kataifi dough, which gives it a distinctive crispy texture. It is made from very thin fibres resembling “angel hair.” Although the process of making kataifi differs from that of filo pastry, it turns out a remarkably similar effect can be achieved using this more accessible product.
How to make Dubai chocolate with filo pastry?
Not too long ago, few had heard of Dubai chocolate; today, it's a symbol of luxury. When it appears on shop shelves, the entire stock vanishes in just a few minutes. Culinary websites are on hand to assist, providing guidance on recreating the Dubai delight recipe at home. One approach is to use filo pastry, which is much more accessible than the exotic kataifi.
To make homemade Dubai chocolate, besides filo pastry, you'll also need high-quality dark chocolate and pistachio cream. Some also include rose water in the ingredient list. To achieve the filling's characteristic texture, cut the filo pastry into ultra-thin strips, then fry them in butter until crispy. Mix the prepared strips with pistachio cream and place them on solidifying chocolate in a silicone mould. 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 worldwide. In Greece, it's an essential ingredient for a savoury snack called spanakopita. Here, the crunchy layered dough is filled with a mixture of spinach and cheese. In the Middle East, filo is used to prepare baklava — a sweet dessert containing nuts and honey. In the Balkans, filo pastry serves as the base for many dishes and snacks, such as burek — a snail-shaped pie filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables. In Austria and Hungary, strudel with cheese or apple filling is very popular.
Filo pastry recipe
The popularity of Dubai chocolate is growing day by day, and filo pastry is disappearing from shop shelves almost as quickly as the luxurious sweetness. It's useful to know how to prepare this at home.
Ingredients:
- 240 grams of type 450 flour,
- 60 millilitres of olive oil,
- 120 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.
