Qishta, a staple in many Middle Eastern desserts such as Kataifi and Knafeh, is also used to garnish fruit salads and create sweet sauces for cakes and other dishes. Here are three easy methods to make qishta at home:

Method 1: Qishta with Flour

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups water

1 cup powdered milk

2 teaspoons rose water

2 teaspoons orange blossom water

½ teaspoon coarse white sugar

1 ¼ cups sifted allpurpose flour

Instructions:

Combine powdered milk and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until fully dissolved. Add sugar and mix well. Gradually whisk in flour while continuously stirring with a hand mixer to prevent lumps. Once it boils, add rose water and orange blossom water, stirring constantly. Remove from heat when thickened; let cool before using.

Method 2: Qishta with Cornstarch (Cornflour)

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk

1 can cream cheese

2 tablespoons cornstarch (cornflour)

3 tablespoons cold water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon rose water or orange blossom water (optional)

Instructions:

Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. In another bowl, dissolve cornstarch in cold water. Slowly pour this mixture into the boiling milk, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon. Cook until thickens, then immediately remove from heat. Mix in vanilla extract and rose/orange blossom water if desired. Let cool slightly before combining with cream cheese. Chill in an airtight container until ready for use.

Method 3: Qishta with Ricotta Cheese

Ingredients:

3 cups milk

6 tablespoons cornstarch (cornflour)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons ricotta cheese

Instructions:

Bring milk to boil on stovetop burner. Meanwhile, combine cornstarch with some of the cold milk separately. Pour this mixture back into the pot containing the hot milk, whisking nonstop so no clumps form. Cook till mixture becomes firm but creamy. Stir in vanilla essence followed by ricotta cheese. Transfer finished product into freezer safe receptacle post cooling down initially; keep refrigerated once set solid enough for application purposes like garnishing etcetera!

Enjoy experimenting these simple yet effective techniques adapting them according your culinary preferences enhancing your dessert recipes significantly !