Baklava

Baklava

Ingredients:

• 1 box Phyllo dough (thawed per directions on the box)
• 2 cups of nuts (almonds, cashews, pistas, walnuts, all coarsely powdered, not chunky)
• 1/2 tsp powdered cardamon
• 1/2 cup butter at room temperature or slightly melted
• 1/2 cup sugar

 Syrup 

Baklava

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup water

Method: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix the dry ingredients (nuts, cardamon, sugar) in a bowl and set aside.

Then layer the butter, phyllo sheets and nut mixture as follows::

1. Brush/smear butter on the bottom of a 11x17 glass dish (or a deep baking sheet).
2. Use 5 or so phyllo sheets in bunches to layer the buttered dish .
3. Brush/smear butter generously all over the top layer.
4. Sprinkle about 1/2 the nut mixture evenly on the buttered phyllo.
5. Repeat Step 2, 3 and 4 over the nut mixture layer.
6. Repeat Step 2 and 3 for the final layering.

Finally use a sharp knife to score and cut the phyllo ensemble  into small squares or any shape and size desired. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes till the phyllo is golden brown. Carefully remove the baked dish from oven.

Prepare syrup while the dough is baking in the oven. To make syrup boil water, sugar, honey in a small sauce pan for five minutes and turn off the heat. Pour the entire contents of the syrup evenly over the baked phyllo. The sticky Baklava is ready to be served.

Cooking Tips;

Can use finely chopped dates, figs, raisins and other dried fruits along with the nuts. Use food processor to chop the nuts. Alternately, use 1 tsp of cinnamon powder, 1/4 tsp cloves powder instead of cardamon to vary the flavor.

Serving Tips:

Serve as dessert or at tea time.