Baklava

Baklava comes in many shapes and forms and has deep roots in many culinary regions throughout Europe and the Middle East. This mostly traditional recipe is highly aromatic, drawing on orange blossom honey and rose water.

Baklava

Equipment

Pre-heat Oven to 350°F

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs Frozen Phyllo Pastry Dough
  • 12 oz Shelled Walnuts
  • 6 oz Shelled Pistachio
  • 2 tsp Ground Allspice
  • 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 2 tsp Rose Water
  • 8 oz Clarified Butter
  • 1¼ cups Orange Blossom Honey
  • 1¼ cups White Sugar
  • 1¼ cups Water
  • ¼ tsp Orange Extract (Optional)

Procedure

  1. Combine Allspice, Cinnamon, Walnuts and Pistachio in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, but still moderately graunlar. Moisten with approximately ½ tsp. of rose water and set aside.
  2. Defrost Phyllo dough in the microwave on high for 60 seconds, followed by approximately 1-2 minutes resting under a clean towel
  3. Trim the dough to fit the dimensions of a casserole dish
  4. Place the first sheet of dough into the pan and brush evenly with clarified butter
  5. Repeat this with 9 more sheets of dough, brushing with clarified butter between each sheet
  6. Sprinkle approximately ⅓ of the nut mixture on top of the last sheet of dough, spritz with rose water, then top with another sheet of Phyllo dough
  7. Repeat the clarified butter and Phyllo dough layering process to create 6 more layers of dough
  8. Sprinkle another ⅓ of the nut mixture, spritzing with rose water just as last time
  9. Repeat for another 6 layers of dough and clarified butter
  10. Sprinkle the last of the nut mixture and dampen with rose water
  11. Top with a final 8-10 layers of alternating sheets of dough and clarified butter
  12. Bake at 350°F for approximately 30 minutes
  13. Remove the par-baked dish and cut into equal portions approximately 2-3 inches square
  14. Return to the oven, baking for another 30 minutes
  15. While the remainder of the baking is underway, prepare a syrup by boiling 1 ¼ cups each of Orange Blossom Honey, Water and Sugar in a saucepan. Extra orange extract may be added at this time, if desired
  16. Once baked, slowly pour the syrup over the golden brown baklava
  17. Allow the dish to rest for approximately 8 hours and serve at room temperature