Snacks & baking
Kahi (Iraqi layered syrup pastry)
A crisp pastry made of layers of buttered phyllo dough, baked and then drenched in a syrup flavoured with rose water or cardamom. Very popular at celebrations and receptions in Iraq, it is cut into diamonds or squares.
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garniture
Sirop
Spices & seasoning
Optional extras
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C and butter a rectangular dish about 25 by 35 cm.
- Unroll the phyllo and cover it with a damp tea towel so it doesn't dry out.
- Layer 6 to 8 sheets, brushing each one with butter, then place them in the dish.
- Repeat with the remaining pastry to make a base of about 4 layers, then scatter over the pistachio and almond filling.
- Cover with 4 to 6 more buttered sheets, brushing the top generously with butter.
- Cut the pastry into diamonds without going through to the base, then bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden and crisp.
- While it bakes, boil the sugar, water and lemon juice for 5 minutes to make a light syrup, then remove from the heat and stir in the rose water.
- As soon as it comes out of the oven, spoon the warm syrup over the kahi, then leave it to rest for at least 1 hour before serving.
Variations and tips
Cardamom version. Add a pinch of ground cardamom to the syrup for a warmer flavour, closer to pastries from the Gulf.
Making it easier. If you can't find rose water, flavour the syrup with a little lemon zest and a spoonful of honey.
More ideas
Bataniya (sweet walnut and cardamom rolls)55 min · 4 serv.Halawat Nahar Khuz (Iraqi wheat flour halva)35 min · 6 serv. · budget-friendlyHalwa tamr bil joz (date and walnut cake)1 h · 6 serv.Jajaj bil samn (ghee cake)55 min · 8 serv.Baklava iraqi1 h 25 · 8 serv. · budget-friendlyGers kahi (Iraqi date crêpes)40 min · 4 serv. · budget-friendlyGhee bil asal15 min · 4 serv.Khubz Shabbat (خبز شباط)55 min · 8 serv. · budget-friendly
Iraq
Iraq
Iraq
Iraq
Iraq
Iraq
Iraq
Iraq
Original Ecomely recipe.