Sweet cheese pancakes with simple syrup (Attaif)

Both my grandmother and my mother made this dessert excellently!  It is one of the family favourites, served at Christmas and for special company.  It's a bit time consuming, but well worth it.


For pancakes

• 2 cups flour2 cups farina (not too fine; medium)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 5 1/2 cups milk (1 "bag" if you're in Ontario)

For the cheese filling

• 2 cans of ishta (found in Middle eastern stores) or you can make your own (see recipe below) 
• 1kg ricotta cheese (2 standard tubs)

For baking

• 1 cup butter

For the topping

• 1 recipe quantity of simple syrup

In a large bowl, mix all the pancake ingredients together and let sit for one hour, for the farina to rise.  Using a non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat, cook pancakes about 10cm in diameter on one side only (until the top is bubbly looking).  Set aside on a sheet lined with parchment paper.

In a separate bowl, mix the ishta and cheese together until well blended.

To assemble, scoop some of the cheese filling into the centre of a pancake taking care not to get any cheese on the edges.  Fold over and press together with your fingers to seal the pancakes; forming a half moon shape. Place on a buttered baking sheet, and put a tab of butter on the top.  Repeat until all the pancakes are done.

Put in the oven on 350°F for approximately 30 minutes or until golden.

Let cool for about 5 minutes (so that they're still hot), and then dip the hot attaif into the cooled syrup and serve immediately.