Thursday, October 18, 2012

My Version of Baklava

MY VERSION OF BAKLAVA
> Paula George
>
> Syrup:
>
> 1-1/2 cups sugar
>
> 3/4 cup water
>
> 1/4 cup honey
>
> 2 cinnamon sticks
>
> Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce to simmer and cook 20 minutes. Set
> aside
> to cool.
>
> Filling:
>
> 1-1/4 lb. walnuts chopped fine
>
> 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
>
> 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
>
> 1/3 cup honey
>
> Baklava:
>
> 1 lb. phyllo dough, thawed
>
> 3 sticks butter, melted
>
> Glaze:
>
> 1-1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
>
> 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
>
> 2-3 tsp. water to get glaze consistency
>
> Prepare syrup, set aside.
>
> Combine ingredients for filling.
>
> Working quickly, have phyllo sheets on large tray, cover with plastic wrap
> and a
> damp towel. Brush 15x10x1 jelly-roll pan with melted butter. Layer phyllo
> sheets
> in single layer, brushing each with melted butter. Layer 8 layers of dough.
> Sprinkle with 1/2 to 3/4 cup filling. Repeat with 4 layers of dough,
> brushing
> each layer with melted butter. Repeat filling layers 2-3 times. Finishing
> with
> another 8 layers of phyllo dough. Brush entire top with butter. Cut through
> dough with sharp knife on a diagonal about 1-1/2 inches apart. Cut in the
> opposite direction at same distance to form diamond pattern. Bake at 325
> degrees
> for 40-45 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and spoon syrup over entire
> top.

OPTIONAL: Prepare glaze and drizzle sparingly over top.
>
> Eat warm or at room temperature.