Baklava a Mediterranean delight

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Baklava is easy to make and is so delightful, crunchy and sweet. No doubt it's one of the most popular desserts in the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions.

It's simple but fabulous recipe - layers of phyllo dough filled with honey and walnuts.


In our family my grandmother used to make this traditional baklava on special occasions as Christmas and Easter.


Traditional Baklava
(makes 24 pieces)

Ingredients:
1 pack phyllo dough (9" x 14"), thawed
1 pound walnuts, chopped
1 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Zest of 1 lemon

In a medium bowl, combine walnuts, sugar, honey, cinnamon, cloves and lemon zest.
Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 inch pan. Place sheets in the pan, butter thoroughly each sheet using a pastry brush. Repeat until you have 5-6 sheets layered. Spoon on a thin layer of the nut mixture. Cover with 2-3 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each one with butter. Continue to repeat the nut mixture and two buttered sheets of phyllo until the nut mixture is all used up. The top layer should be 6-7 phyllo sheets thick, each sheet being individually buttered.
Using a sharp knife cut into 24 diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan.
Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 45-50 min. or until golden brown.
Make syrup while baklava is baking.

For the syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
2 tbsp lemon juice 

Bring all ingredients to a boil. Let simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Let it cool slightly. 

Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon syrup over it. Let cool for a few hours.  


Happy Holidays from Old World Market!










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