A cold spray of water hits my eyelids. I open my eyes with a jump and smile sheepishly when I see my Mom, (equipped well with a watering can) glaring at me, a deep frown on my face. “Well, I was wondering when you’d wake up” she said. She pulls my covers off, exposing my skin to the air, and stalks off. I sit up, shaking my hair loose. It was a sunny Friday, so hot that my head was already aching, and my mood was as good as rotten eggs. It was going to be a boring day with nothing to do except, drive my mum crazy with ‘I’m bored Mum’ and make my dad frown with a continuous song of ‘I wanna go somewhere!’ (The most irritating thing is that I don’t know where that somewhere is!)

I got up, stretched and looked at my calendar. Who knows maybe today was a special day after all………………………….

EID AL FITR!!! So that’s where that weird smell was coming from, I smiled, gazing at the intricate henna designs on my hands. Well so much for being bored!

Timeskip

The sun beat down on my face. We were in our car, driving to our friends’ house. The song Attention was booming inside the car (with my sister vibing of course!) as the trees zoomed past my window. I was dressed simple, in jeans and one my most comfortable pink tops which everyone had planned to be matching in. Sadik Uncle and his family (which comprises of his wife Neena Aunty, his eldest son Aadhil aka Adukka, the younger girls, Sera (who’s my playmate; we share so many habits in common) and Minha (my sister’s playmate; together they are ‘The Naughty Duo’) and his two brothers and their families!) had been our family friends for soo long that its difficult to remember when we started out. But I do know that my father was friends with him before I was born. Ever since then we have been a jolly large crowd always planning get togethers and parties. And yeah, we celebrated, Onam, birthdays, Kuwait National Days, summer vacations, end of exams, and in this case Eid, all together!

Anyway my Dad parked out on their driveways, me jerking into consciousness when the music suddenly stopped. I climbed out and headed up the elevator, with gifts and chocolates in my hands. As I pressed the doorbell, a quirky little tune jumped out and started playing.

‘Thakkatthakkatchak’ and Seru opened the door, beaming. She tackled the chocolates out of my hand and pushed me in, playfully thumping my back. Muthu (Minha’s nickname) came running and laughed naughtily at the sight of my sis upon which they both started a frantic game of Chase. Well, yeah you know what happens next. We have FUN!!! I faintly remember that we played Shopping with Ilmiya, Seru’s younger cousin who was just two years old. Her elder cousin Abi, was about the same age as her and we usually started off the day with a wrestling match!

Plus who can forget Neena Aunty’s food. You must know that I’m one of those foodies who take their time and carefully analyze the taste of anything they eat. And Neena Aunty’s food gave us a variety of tastes in every bite… Mmmm…. The thought makes me hungry!!!! Especially her special Biriyani and some desserts.

Now down here is a recipe from Neena Aunty. Its one for Kunafa or Knefa an amazingly soft and creamy dessert that I savour during Eid. This is a special recipe on how to make it softer and creamier!!

Ingredients

•250 grams Kunafa Dough (strands)

•200 grams Butter (Salted) , melted

•1/4 cup Pistachios , chopped

For Filling

•1 cup Milk

•2 teaspoons Corn flour

•1 teaspoon Rose water

•1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese , grated

For Sugar syrup

•1-1/2 cup Sugar

•1 cup Water

•1 teaspoon Lemon juice

•1 teaspoon Rose water

1.To begin making the Arabic Sweet Kunafa Recipe (Knafeh), preheat oven to 180 C. We shall start with preparing sugar syrup. In a saucepan add sugar and water and boil until it becomes sticky and comes to syrup consistency. It should have a two string consistency. Ensure you do this on low heat.

2.Remove the sugar syrup from the heat, add lemon juice and rose water. Stir and keep aside.

3.Next for preparing filling. Heat milk and add corn flour whisking vigorously without forming lumps. Boil keeping it in low flame and once it thickens, add rose water and allow the milk custard to cool completely.

4.For preparing kunafa crust, break the strands of kunafa dough (strands) with hands. Add melted butter and mix well with hands to coat the kunafa dough well with butter. Now divide the quantity of coated strands into two. You can also make Kunafa dough (strands) at home, but it takes time.

5.Take the baking pan lined with parchment paper and greased with butter. Add one half of the kunafa pastry to the bottom and press well into even layer.

6.Pour the milk pudding and spread evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese above the pudding.

7.Next add the other half of the kunafa pastry at top and press down gently. Add chopped pistachios at top. Preheat the oven to 180 C.

8.Place the Arabic Kunafa Pastry in the oven and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes until the top turns brown and crispy.

9.Once the kunafa is baked, allow it cool and pour half of the sugar syrup at top.

10.Take a knife and run through the sides. Place a plate at top and flip gently. Pour the remaining sugar syrup over the kunafa and add chopped pistachios.

11.Slice and serve the Arabic Sweet Kunafa warm. The cheese may become hard so always make it hot before serving. Enjoy this royal dessert at home.

Happy Eid to all !