Baklava (Layered Pastry with Walnuts and Honey Syrup)

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

           PASTRY:
           SYRUP:
Clarify the butter in a heavy saucepan or skillet in the following
fashion:  Melt the butter slowly over low heat without letting it brown,
skimming off the foam as it rises to the surface.  Remove the pan from the
heat, let it rest for 2 or 3 minutes, then spoon off the clear butter and
discard the milky solids at the bottom of the pan.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and stir the vegetable oil into the
clarified butter.  Using a pastry brush coat the bottom and sides of a 13
by 19 by 2   inch baking dish with about 1 tablespoon of the mixture.
Fold a sheet of filo in half crosswise, lift it up gently and unfold it
into the prepared dish.  Press the pastry flat, fold down the excess around
the sides and flatten it against the bottom.  Brush the entire surface of
the pastry lightly with the butter and oil mixture, and lay another sheet
of filo on top, folding it down and buttering it in a similar fashion.
Sprinkle the pastry evenly with about 3 tablespoons of walnuts.
Repeat the same procedure using two sheets of buttered filo and 3
tablespoons of the pulverized walnuts each time to make 19 layers in all.
Spread the 2 remaining sheets of filo on top and brush the baklava with all
of the remaining butter and oil mixture.
With a small, sharp knife score the top of the pastry with parallel
diagonal lines about   inch deep and 2 inches apart, then cross them
diagonally to form diamond shapes.  Bake in the middle of the oven for 30
minutes.  Reduce the heat to about 300 and bake for 45 minutes longer, or
until the top is crisp and golden brown.
Syrup:
Meanwhile, make the syrup.  Combine the sugar, water and lemon juice in a
small saucepan and, stirring constantly, cook over moderate heat until the
sugar dissolves.  Increase the heat to high and, timing it from the moment
the sugar boils, cook briskly, uncovered, for about 5 minutes, or until the
syrup reaches a temperature of 220 on a candy thermometer. Remove the pan
from the heat and stir in the honey. Pour the syrup into a bowl or pitcher
and set aside.
When the baklava is done, remove it from the oven and pour the syrup over
it.  Cool to room temperature, and just before serving, cut the baklava
into diamond shaped serving pieces.
99 of 116
Source: Time Life Series: Middle Eastern Cooking  "circa  69"
MMed by: earl.cravens@salata.com

A Message from our Provider:

“Rainbows – a gift from God”