Filo pastry frenzy: Unlocking the secret to Dubai chocolate
Not too long ago, you could find one or two puff pastry rolls in every home freezer. Today, alongside this well-known product for quick, sweet, and savory baking, it's becoming fashionable to have a supply of filo pastry. People are buying it in large quantities from stores. Will each one become Dubai chocolate?
One of the key ingredients of viral chocolate is kataifi dough, which gives it a characteristic crispy texture. It is made of very thin fibers resembling “angel hair.” Although the process of making kataifi differs from the filo pastry recipe, it turns out that a strikingly 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 is a symbol of luxury. When it appears on store shelves, the entire shipment disappears in just a few minutes. Culinary websites lend a helping hand, suggesting how to recreate the recipe for Dubai delight at home. One of the ways is to use filo pastry — much more accessible than the exotic kataifi.
To make homemade Dubai chocolate, in addition to filo pastry, you also need high-quality dark chocolate and pistachio cream. Some people also list rose water among the ingredients. To create the filling for chocolate with a distinctive texture, cut the filo pastry into ultra-thin strips, then fry them in butter until crispy. Mix the prepared threads with pistachio cream and place them on solidifying chocolate laid out in a silicone mold. 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 around the world. In Greece, it's an indispensable ingredient for a savory snack called spanakopita. Here, the crunchy layered dough is filled with a spinach and cheese mixture. In the Middle East, filo is used to prepare baklava—a sweet dessert with nuts and honey. In the Balkans, filo pastry is 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 store shelves just as quickly as the luxurious treat. It's useful to know how to prepare this pastry at home.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of type 450 flour
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/2 cup 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.
