Pistachio Kadaif (Turkish Kadayif)

Step 1

Put the syrup ingredients in a pot, stir well and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low once it boils and let it simmer until it has a slightly thicker consistency. This takes 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool.

Step 2

Preheat the oven at 200C/400F.

Step 3

Melt butter in a saucepan.

Step 4

Use 1 tablespoon of melted butter to grease the bottom of the baking pan.

Step 5

Put raw kadayif noodles on some baking paper. Shred them in strings, cut them roughly. Pour melted butter on it and mix it with your hands well. Make sure all pieces of kadayif are coated with butter.

Step 6

Spread half of the buttered kadayif on the bottom of the baking pan. Use a measuring cup and press tight on the kadayif.

Step 7

Sprinkle crumbled pistachio over this first half of the kadayif. Spread the remaining kadayif on it and again press on it using the bottom of a measuring cup.

Step 8

Bake until golden, for about 30 minutes.

Step 9

When you remove kadayif from the oven, slice it into squares and pour the cooled syrup all over it when it is still hot.

Step 10

Let it rest at least 3 hours so that it absorbs this syrup.

Step 11

Sprinkle ground pistachio over it and serve either as it is or with clotted cream kaymak on the top.