At the age of forty, it’s a delight to discover an entirely new foodstuff. I certainly don’t mean to imply that I’ve even come close to sampling all that the world has to offer. But for someone who has traveled rather extensively and belonged to Restaurant Club for fifteen years … who actively seeks out new foods and isn’t shy about invading someone else’s plate with her fork … well, it’s thrilling to encounter a whole new category of food. And in this case, an entire store dedicated to it.

Meet Kanafa. Kunafa. Knefa. There doesn’t seem to be an agreed-upon anglicized version of the name.

From wikipedia: “Kenafeh is a Levantine cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar-based syrup. The pastry is heated in butter, margarine, or palm oil, then spread with soft white cheese, such a Nabulsi cheese, and topped with more pastry.”

Yes. It’s a dessert. Bet you weren’t sure about that.

What makes this store’s version even more amazing is that … you heat up the cheese until it’s melty, then stuff it inside sesame-coated ka’ak bread.

Want to try it for yourself? Lebon Sweets, locations in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights.