<span>Join </span><span><em>The National </em></span><span>and Table Tales on a culinary journey around the Middle East to savour the quintessential dishes that embody the spirit of Ramadan. From table staples to family favourites, this series of recipes – one for each day of Ramadan – pays homage to the holy month and the home cook alike.</span> <span>If there were to be a queen of Arab sweets, it would probably be kunafa. There are variations across the region – in pronunciation and preparation – but all forms use threads of dough made from flour and water.</span> <span>“Wherever it is made, this dessert is sinfully sweet, creamy, nutty, cheesy and crunchy all at once,” says Hanan Sayed Worrell of Table Tales. “Kunafa is prepared year-round, but is especially popular during Ramadan. It is said that Muawiya, the first Umayyad caliph, on advice from his physician, ate kunafa during the holy month to satisfy his insatiable hunger.”</span> <span>Recipe contributor Mona Zaki, a talent manager who splits her time living in Egypt and the US, says: “My mother-in-law makes kunafa that melts in your mouth and rivals any speciality pastry makers. </span> <span>“The summer highlight for my children was going to teta’s and diving into her home-made kunafa with its creamy filling and crunchy crust. I have made this recipe with consistently delicious results.”</span> <span>Serves 8 to 10</span> <span><em>Ingredients for the</em></span><span> </span><span><em>syrup:</em></span> <em><span>Ingredients for the filling:</span></em> <em><span>Ingredients for the crust:</span></em> <span><em>Method</em></span><span> </span><span><em>for the syrup:</em></span> <em><span>Method for the filling:</span></em> <em><span>Method for the kunafa crust:</span></em> <strong><span>This dish has been brought to you by Mona Zaki and curated by recipe hunter Hanan Sayed Worrell, author of<em> Table Tales: The Global Nomad Cuisine of Abu Dhabi</em>. The Table Tales concept celebrates the people and stories that give flavour to recipes of the Middle East.</span></strong> <strong>______________</strong> <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/ramadan-recipes-daily-dishes-to-try-from-the-table-tales-series-1.1204454">Ramadan recipes: daily dishes to try from the 'Table Tales' series</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/ramadan-recipe-asheh-anar-pomegranate-soup-with-green-herbs-1.1206600">Ramadan recipe: asheh anar – pomegranate soup with green herbs</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/ramadan-recipe-luqaimat-sweet-dumplings-1.1204309">Ramadan recipe: luqaimat – sweet dumplings</a></strong> <strong>______________</strong>