HOW TO MAKE BAKLAVA
Baklava is a delicious Cypriot sweet that combines cinnamon scented layers of syrup soaked phyllo pastry with a nut mixture containing pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnut. It is enjoyed throughout the year and it is usually served as a dessert. Many Cypriot households make them and give them to friends and neighbours as a token of goodwill and peace.
Ingredients:
2 cups of chopped hazelnuts, walnuts and Pistachio
1/2 a teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/2 a teaspoon of ground cardamom
A packet of ready-made phyllo pastry sheets
1 cup of unsalted butter, melted
1/2 a cup of granulated sugar
1 cup of water
1/2 a cup of honey
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Grease a large baking dish.
Using a bowl mix in the chopped nuts with the ground cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.
Unwrap the phyllo pastry sheets and carefully cut them to fit the size of the baking dish.
Place each sheet of phyllo dough in the baking dish and brush it with melted butter.
Repeat this process, layering the phyllo sheets and butter until at least five times .
Spread the nut mixture evenly over the layered phyllo pastry.
Continue layering the remaining phyllo sheets on top of the nut mixture, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
Using a sharp knife to carefully cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes before baking for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Place the sugar, water, honey, and vanilla extract into a saucepan and bring the syrup mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Remove the hot baklava from the oven and immediately pour the syrup over the top.
Allow the baklava to cool and absorb the syrup for around 20 minutes before serving at room temperature.
