Pistachio-kissed Walnut Baklava
Flaky, light and utterly tempting morsel of exotic sweetness!
Originally an Assyrian creation dating back to the 8th Century B.C., baklava has become a staple in Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine.
RECIPE:
Pistachio-Kissed Walnut Baklava
Syrup ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp rose water*
- 1 tsp orange water*
Filling ingredients:
- 4 cups walnuts, divided
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp orange blossom water*
Remaining ingredients:
- 2 sticks butter, melted and clarified
- 20 sheets phyllo dough
- 1/2 cup shelled pistachio
Directions:
Step 1: Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F. Set aside a 9 x 13 oblong cake pan.
Step 2: In a medium saucepan, over medium/high heat combine sugar and water till sugar is completely dissolved and liquid is simmering; lower heat, add lemon juice, rose water and orange water; simmer for 5-10 minutes or till syrup is slightly thickened; set aside.
Step 3: Melt butter in microwave; skim off white foam (making clarified butter); set aside.
Step 4: In a food processor, pulse walnuts, 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, 1 tablespoon honey, and orange blossom water ; pulse till walnuts are finely chopped; add remaining honey; pulse a few more times; transfer to a bowl; reserve.
Step 5: Meanwhile, lay 1 sheet phyllo dough over a flat surface; spread clarified butter evenly over dough; top with 1 more phyllo sheet and spread evenly with butter; top with approximately 1/3 cup prepared walnut filling; spread evenly.
Step 6: Place a 3/8 inch diameter dowel* (about 24 inches in length) across the edge of phyllo dough, lengthwise. Roll tightly, jelly-roll style till all the dough is rolled; scrunch dough from both ends using fingers, accordion-style, towards the center; slide off dowel. Carefully pick up scrunched roll and arrange over a rectangular cake pan (starting with one side); repeat same process with remaining ingredients.
Step 7: Pour remaining butter evenly over top and bake in pre-heated oven for 20 minutes or till golden.
Step 8: Remove from oven and drizzle with syrup; using a grinder blade, process pistachio till very fine; sprinkle over baklava. Enjoy!
*Commonly sold in Middle Eastern grocery stores and online, rose water and orange blossom water can also be found in selected health food stores and/or the 'ethnic food' section of your local supermarket... certainly worth trying for an authentic Middle Eastern touch.