Baklava is a traditional Middle Eastern pastry made of layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and sweet syrup or honey. The most common types of nuts used are walnuts and pistachios, but other nuts such as almonds or hazelnuts can also be used. The phyllo dough is brushed with butter or oil to give it a crispy texture, and the syrup or honey is poured over the top of the pastry after baking. Baklava is typically served in small, diamond-shaped pieces.
Here is a basic recipe for making baklava:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of phyllo dough
- 1 cup of melted butter or oil
- 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pistachios
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of honey
- 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
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Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or oil.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Lay one sheet of phyllo dough in the bottom of the prepared baking dish and brush it with melted butter or oil. Repeat the process, layering the phyllo dough and butter or oil until you have used half of the phyllo sheets.
- Spread the nut mixture over the phyllo layers.
- Repeat the process of layering the phyllo dough and butter or oil on top of the nut mixture, until you have used it.
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Serve
Baklava is typically served in small, diamond-shaped pieces. It is a rich and sweet pastry, and a small piece is often enough to satisfy a sweet tooth.
It’s best to serve baklava at room temperature so that the syrup is well absorbed and the dough is crispy. Once cooled, it’s drizzled with a sweet syrup, honey, or sometimes a sweetened, diluted Rosewater and Orange blossom water mixture.
It’s a perfect dessert to serve after a Mediterranean meal, but also great with a cup of coffee or tea.
Baklava can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, in a cool dry place, or in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Baklava is a traditional and delicious pastry that is enjoyed by many. With its flaky layers of phyllo dough and sweet, nutty filling, it is sure to be a hit at any gathering.