Kunafa Recipe with Mozzarella Cheese

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1. 1Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine the 1 1/4 cups water, 2 1/2 cups sugar and 1 squeeze lemon juice and place on high heat. Allow it to come to a boil.
2. 2Step 2: Once it boils, lower heat to medium and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes then turn off the heat. It should have a runny syrup consistency (not too thick). Add the 1 tablespoon rose water or orange blossom water at the end if using, and allow it to cool to room temperature on the counter.
3. 3Step 3: Take out the frozen 454 g kataifi dough and leave it to thaw for an hour or so on the counter. Preheat oven to 350F.
4. 4Step 4: Shred the 600 g mozzarella cheese, high moisture or cut it up into small cubes, and mix it with the 170 ml thick cream.
5. 5Step 5: Break up the kataifi dough and place it in a food processor. Whiz it for a few seconds until it is broken up into small pieces. If you don't own a food processor, you can do this with your hands or by cutting it up using a knife.
6. 6Step 6: Place the shredded kataifi dough in a bowl and pour over the 1 cup melted butter. Using your hands, massage the butter into the dough making sure you saturate every strand. The better you incorporate it, the more evenly crispy it will be.
7. 7Step 7: Brush the bottom of your pan with a bit of butter. Use a 12 inch pan for one large one or you can make 2x 9 inch ones. (see notes).
8. 8Step 8: Take half of the kataifi dough and pack it into the bottom of the pan using the flat bottom of a cup. Pack it to form a slight edge around the perimeter.
9. 9Step 9: Spoon the cheese mixture inside and spread it out evenly.
10. 10Step 10: Take the remaining kataifi dough and spread it over the cheese, covering it all and packing it in lightly.
11. 11Step 11: Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the outside is deeply golden and crispy.
12. 12Step 12: Immediately drizzle the kunafa with about 3/4 of the simple syrup, ensuring you cover the full surface. Reserve some syrup to the side for anyone who wants extra.
13. 13Step 13: Allow it to cool and soak the syrup for 10 minutes or so, then invert it onto a serving platter (you can also keep it in the tray), garnish with 1/2 cup crushed pistachios and 2 tablespoons dry rose petals for garnish, cut into pieces and serve.