This Christmas Baklava is a sweet dessert with a strong flavor. One to two bites, done well, will satisfy you in one sitting, similar to the local coffee.
It’s truly delectable and well worth the time it takes to prepare. Layers of buttered phyllo filled with chopped nuts and dried fruit are served with a special syrup that transforms the flaky, crisp texture of the pastry into tender and soft!
There’s homemade baklava and then there’s homemade baklava. A delectable treat and a perfect Christmas gift!
Okay, so I’m not really fat. But there’s a catch. And there’s Greek. And there’s Baklava! This stuff is incredible. Really.
If you don’t have a food processor, it will take some time. Which I didn’t have when I first started. But it was well worth it.
And since I was home alone today, I decided to spend some time in the kitchen.
I enjoy being alone at home. I don’t have to worry about anyone stomping into the kitchen, rolling their eyes at me, and saying, “Mo-ther!” I can blast my music as loud as I want. Reduce the volume of your music! You know, you’re not the only one who lives here!” That has nothing to do with Greece, of course. Baklava is another option. It simply makes me laugh. But let’s return to the Baklava. The origins of this incredibly crispy, gooey, and sweet dessert are a little hazy.
INGREDIENTS:
0.5 pound chopped pecans
0.5 pound chopped walnuts
2-3 teaspoon. ground cinnamon
1 pound package of Phyllo dough
1-0.5 cups butter, melted
2-1/2 cups honey
1 teaspoon. vanilla
1 teaspoon. grated lemon zest
CHRISTMAS BAKLAVA INSTRUCTIONS:
1 ) Mix nuts together in a large bowl and toss with the ground cinnamon. Set aside.
2 ) Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Place 2 sheets of phyllo in the bottom of prepared dish. Brush generously with melted butter.
3 ) Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Repeat layers until all the nuts, butter, and phyllo are used.
4 ) End with about 6 layers of phyllo on the top. If you still have some butter left, brush it over the top layer.
5 ) Using a very sharp knife, cut through all layers of the baklava. Cut 3-4 sliced length-wise.
6 ) Then make diagonal cuts to make diamond shapes.
7 ) Bake in a heated 350-degree oven for about 45 minutes, until golden and crisp.
8 ) While baklava is baking, heat honey in a saucepan until close to boiling. Stir in vanilla and lemon zest.
9 ) When baklava is done baking, immediately pour the honey mixture over the top.
10 ) Let cool completely in the pan.
