Looking for the perfect summer dessert to keep in your freezer? Look no further! These Kataifi Ice-Cream Cigars are a delightful combination of creamy ice cream and crispy, golden pastry, making them the ideal treat for any occasion, including Christmas! Best of all, you can make them ahead of time, ensuring you’re always prepared for guests or a sweet craving.
Ingredients:
- 375g Kataifi Pastry
- 250g butter, melted
- Pinch of salt
- 1 litre vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup walnuts, finely chopped
For the syrup:
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 ribbon lemon rind
- 7 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Kataifi Pastry:
- Before starting, bring your Kataifi Pastry to room temperature by leaving it in its packet outside the fridge. Preheat your oven to 170°C.
2. Make the Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, lemon rind, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. Prepare the Kataifi Cigars:
- Gently unravel the Kataifi Pastry in a large bowl, separating the strands with your fingers. Pour the melted butter over the Pastry and massage it through with your hands until evenly coated.
- Measure out 45g of Kataifi Pastry, laying the strands out in a long, thin strip. Carefully wrap the strands around a cannoli cylinder, ensuring the wrap is not too tight.
- Place the wrapped molds onto a lined baking tray and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden. Allow the cigars to cool completely before removing them from the molds by gently twisting and pulling.
- Dip each cooled Kataifi cigar into the prepared syrup and set aside.
4. Assemble the Kataifi Ice-Cream Cigars:
- Place a tray in the freezer to prepare for setting the cigars.
- Scoop the vanilla ice cream into a bowl and fold it with a spatula until it softens to a pipeable consistency. Transfer half of the ice cream into a piping bag.
- Place your index finger at the bottom end of each Kataifi cigar and pipe the other end with softened ice cream. Immediately place each filled cigar into the freezer.
- Repeat the process with the remaining cigars and ice cream. Allow the cigars to set in the freezer for at least 4 hours.
- Before serving, garnish with finely chopped walnuts.
Enjoy these Kataifi Ice-Cream Cigars as a refreshing and indulgent treat this summer or any time of year! They’re sure to impress your guests with their perfect balance of textures and flavors.