**Baklava: A Bite of Turkish Delight**
Baklava, a delectable pastry originating from the rich culinary traditions of Turkey, is a multi-layered dessert that tantalizes taste buds with its layers of filo dough, chopped nuts, and sweet syrup. This iconic delicacy holds a special place in Turkish cuisine and is often served during special occasions and celebrations. With variations found across different regions, baklava offers a diverse range of flavors and textures, each one a unique journey of sweet indulgence.
This comprehensive guide takes you on a culinary adventure, exploring the various types of baklava and providing step-by-step recipes to recreate these delectable treats in your own kitchen. From the classic Walnut Baklava, known for its nutty aroma and rich flavor, to the Pistachio Baklava, a vibrant green delight bursting with pistachio goodness, and the Chocolate Baklava, a modern twist on the traditional recipe, this article unveils the secrets behind creating this exquisite dessert.
Whether you're a seasoned baker looking to expand your repertoire or a novice cook eager to impress your loved ones, this guide has something for everyone. With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and stunning visuals, you'll be able to master the art of making baklava like a true Turkish chef. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.
BAKLAVA RECIPE
This baklava is flaky, crisp, tender and perfectly balanced with the honey-lemon syrup. This homemade baklava is so much better than any store-bought version.
Provided by Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Categories Medium/Advanced
Time 2h15m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Thaw phyllo dough by package instructions (this is best done overnight in the fridge, then place it on the counter for 1 hr before starting your recipe to bring it to room temp).
- Trim phyllo dough to fit your baking dish. My phyllo package had 2 rolls with a total of 40 sheets that measured 9x14 so I had to trim them slightly. You can trim one stack at a time then cover with a damp towel to keep from drying out.
- Butter the bottom and sides of a 13x9 non-stick baking pan.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup honey, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, and 3/4 cup water. Bring to a boil over med/high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then reduce heat to med/low and boil additional 4 min without stirring. Remove from heat and let syrup cool while preparing baklava.
- Pulse walnuts 10 times in a food process or until coarsely ground/ finely chopped. In a medium bowl, stir together: 4 cups finely chopped walnuts and 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Place 10 phyllo sheets into baking pan one at a time, brushing each sheet with butter once it's in the pan before adding the next (i.e. place phyllo sheet into pan, brush the top with butter, place next phyllo sheet in pan, butter the top, etc. etc.). Keep remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel at all times. Spread about 1/5 of nut mixture (about 3/4 cup) over phyllo dough.
- Add 5 buttered sheets of phyllo, then another layer of nuts. Repeat x 4. Finish off with 10 layers of buttered phyllo sheets. Brush the very top with butter.
- Cut pastry into 1 1/2" wide strips, then cut diagonally to form diamond shapes. Bake at 325˚F for 1 hour and 15 min or until tops are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and immediately spoon cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava (you'll hear it sizzle). This will ensure that it stays crisp rather than soggy. Let baklava cool completely, uncovered and at room temp. For best results, let baklava sit 4-6 hours or overnight at room temperature for the syrup to penetrate and soften the layers. Garnish baklava with finely chopped nuts or drizzle with melted chocolate. Store at room temp, covered with a tea towel for 1 to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Sodium 74 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 11 g, ServingSize 1 serving
BREAKLAVA
My husband named this recipe Breaklava because I use phyllo dough, butter, and breakfast ingredients and layer it in a similar way you do for baklava. So it's breakfast baklava! You can use any combination of cheese to make it unique.
Provided by AngPayne
Categories Main Dish Recipes Casserole Recipes Vegetable
Time 1h20m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute spinach until liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes; be careful not to scorch. Blend in sour cream. Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix eggs, Cheddar cheese, and Swiss cheese together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Unroll phyllo dough and cover with a damp cloth. Place 2 sheets in a 9x13-inch baking pan. Brush top layer with butter using a basting brush. Repeat process 2 more times for a total of 6 sheets of layered phyllo dough.
- Spread the spinach mixture over the dough. Top with 6 more sheets of dough, brushing every second layer with butter.
- Spread 1/2 the sausage evenly over the dough. Add 1/2 the egg and cheese mixture. Repeat layering and buttering 4 more sheets of dough. Top with remaining sausage and remaining egg and cheese mixture. Add the remaining dough; do not butter the very top layer.
- Cut breaklava into even squares using a sharp knife. Butter the top layer and sprinkle with parsley.
- Bake in the preheated oven until top layer is lightly browned and egg mixture is set, 35 to 45 minutes. Re-cut along the pre-cut lines.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 539.9 calories, Carbohydrate 15.4 g, Cholesterol 237.1 mg, Fat 43.1 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 24.2 g, SaturatedFat 24.3 g, Sodium 818 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
BAKLAVA
Many ethnic festivals are held in my city throughout the year. One in May is the Greek Hellenic Festival. My family enjoys baklava-a traditional walnut strudel. The recipe uses phyllo dough, which is not difficult to work with. Just have your ingredients ready to go and follow the directions on the package. The results are scrumptious and well worth the effort. -Judy Losecco, Buffalo, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and cloves; set aside. Brush a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with some of the butter. Unroll 1 package phyllo dough; cut stack into a 10-1/2x9-in. rectangle. Repeat with remaining phyllo. Discard scraps., Line bottom of prepared pan with 2 sheets of phyllo dough (sheets will overlap slightly). Brush with butter. Repeat layers 14 times. (Keep dough covered with a damp towel until ready to use to prevent it from drying out.) , Spread with 2 cups walnut mixture. Top with 5 layers of phyllo dough, brushing with butter between each sheet. Spread with remaining walnut mixture. Top with 1 layer of phyllo dough; brush with butter. Repeat 14 times. Cut into 2-1/2-in. squares; cut each square in half diagonally. Brush remaining butter over top. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown., In a large saucepan, bring syrup ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and discard zest; cool to lukewarm. Pour syrup over warm baklava.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 271 calories, Fat 16g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 21mg cholesterol, Sodium 162mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.
BAKLAVA
This traditional Mediterranean pastry makes a lovely ending to a holiday meal.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegetarian Recipes
Yield Makes 48 pieces
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine nuts, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in a bowl.
- Unroll phyllo; halve crosswise. Immediately cover with plastic wrap and then a damp towel. Keep covered while working.
- Brush a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan with melted butter. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo in pan. Lightly brush with butter; cover with another sheet of phyllo, and butter again. Layer phyllo and butter 5 more times, ending with phyllo.
- Sprinkle phyllo with 2 tablespoons nut mixture. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo over, brush with butter, and cover with a sheet of phyllo. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons nut mixture; repeat layering with butter, phyllo, and nuts until filling is used up, for a total of about 21 layers. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo over; brush with butter. Layer phyllo and butter six more times.
- Using a sharp knife, score the surface of the pastry (1/4 inch deep) diagonally into diamonds (about 2 inches long). Bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pour the syrup over surface of baklava; let cool completely. To serve, use a sharp knife to cut into pieces along scored lines.
BAKLAVA
Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 7h30m
Yield about 40 pieces
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Position a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Combine the nuts, cinnamon and ground crackers in a bowl.
- Brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with some of the butter. Layer 10 pieces of phyllo in the dish, brushing each piece with butter before adding the next (keep the remaining dough covered with a damp towel). Sprinkle a quarter of the nut mixture over the dough. Layer 4 pieces of phyllo on top, brushing each with butter before adding the next; sprinkle with another quarter of the nut mixture. Add 4 more phyllo pieces on top, brushing each with butter, then add another quarter of the nut mixture, 4 more pieces of phyllo with butter, and the remaining nuts.
- Layer the remaining 10 pieces of phyllo on top of the nuts, brushing each with butter; brush the top piece with extra butter. Cut into the baklava to make strips, about 1 1/2 inches wide. Then make diagonal slices, about 1 1/2 inches apart, to create a diamond pattern. Bake until golden, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, make the syrup: Bring the sugar, honey and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat and cook, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the lemon juice and boil 2 more minutes, then let cool slightly.
- Pour the syrup over the warm baklava; let soak, uncovered, at least 6 hours or overnight. Garnish with nuts.
GREEK BAKLAVA
A Greek favorite that makes everyone think you are a master chef and is sooo easy to make!! I taught a Greek friend how to make apple pie and she taught me this fabulous recipe. The phyllo dough for this recipe is found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Add a little lemon zest to the sugar sauce, if desired.
Provided by NEONWILLIE
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F(175 degrees C). Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 inch pan.
- Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon. Set aside. Unroll phyllo dough. Cut whole stack in half to fit pan. Cover phyllo with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work. Place two sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered. Sprinkle 2 - 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go. The top layer should be about 6 - 8 sheets deep.
- Using a sharp knife cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan. You may cut into 4 long rows the make diagonal cuts. Bake for about 50 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp.
- Make sauce while baklava is baking. Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted. Add vanilla and honey. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool. Serve in cupcake papers. This freezes well. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 393.1 calories, Carbohydrate 37.5 g, Cholesterol 27.1 mg, Fat 25.9 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 196.4 mg, Sugar 19.9 g
BAKLAVA
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 4h15m
Yield 16 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Remove the thawed phyllo from the fridge 1 hour before using. When working with the phyllo dough, only remove the sheets you immediately need, keeping the other sheets covered in plastic wrap, then a damp cloth.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) of the butter in a small saucepan.
- Toss together the chopped pecans and cinnamon in a bowl. Set aside.
- Thoroughly butter a rectangular baking pan with the melted butter. Make sure the sheets of phyllo will generally fit in the pan. (If they're a little bigger, that's okay; if they're much bigger, just trim them with a sharp knife.)
- Butter the top sheet of phyllo with melted butter, then grab it and the unbuttered sheet below it. Flip the sheets over and set them in the pan buttered-side down. Press them lightly into the pan. Repeat this twice more, so that you have 6 sheets of phyllo in the pan, 3 of the sheets buttered.
- Sprinkle on enough pecans to make a single layer. Butter 2 sheets of phyllo and place them on top of the pecans buttered-sides down. Add more pecans, then 2 more buttered phyllo sheets. Repeat this a couple more times, or until you're out of pecans. Top with 4 more buttered phyllo sheets, buttered-sides down. Butter the top of the final sheet.
- Cut a diagonal diamond pattern in the baklava using a very sharp knife. Bake until very golden brown, about 45 minutes.
- While the baklava is baking, combine the honey, sugar, vanilla, 1/2 cup water and the remaining 1 stick butter in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- When you remove the baklava from the oven, drizzle half of the honey mixture evenly all over the top. Allow it to sit and absorb for a minute, then drizzle on a little more until you think it's thoroughly moistened. You'll likely have some of the honey mixture leftover, which you can drink with a straw. Just kidding.
- Allow the baklava to cool, uncovered, for several hours. Once cool and sticky and divine, carefully remove from the pan and serve with coffee (or give as gifts!).
BAKLAVA
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the cinnamon stick and whole allspice into a spice grinder and grind.
- Place the almonds, walnuts, pistachios, sugar and freshly ground spices into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, but not pasty or powdery, approximately 15 quick pulses. Set aside.
- Combine the water and rose water in a small spritz bottle and set aside.
- Trim the sheets of phyllo to fit the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch metal pan. Brush the bottom and sides of the pan with butter; lay down a sheet of phyllo and brush with butter. Repeat this step 9 more times for a total of 10 sheets of phyllo. Top with 1/3 of the nut mixture and spread thinly. Spritz thoroughly with the rose water. Layer 6 more sheets of phyllo with butter in between each of them, followed by another third of the nuts and spritz with rose water. Repeat with another 6 sheets of phyllo, butter, remaining nuts, and rose water. Top with 8 sheets of phyllo brushing with butter in between each sheet. Brush the top generously with butter. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cut into 28 squares. Return pan to the oven and continue to bake for another 30 minutes. Remove pan from the oven, place on a cooling rack, and cool for 2 hours before adding the syrup.
- Make the syrup during the last 30 minutes of cooling. Combine the honey, water, sugar, cinnamon stick and orange peel in a 4-quart saucepan and set over high heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar has dissolved. Once boiling, boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and discard the orange peel and cinnamon stick.
- After the baklava has cooled for 2 hours, re-cut the entire pan following the same lines as before. Pour the hot syrup evenly over the top of the baklava, allowing it to run into the cuts and around the edges of the pan. Allow the pan to sit, uncovered until completely cool. Cover and store at room temperature for at least 8 hours and up to overnight before serving. Store, covered, at room temperature for up to 5 days.
BAKLAVA
Traditionally Greek. Always good. Once baked, the baklava has to stand for 3 hours to overnight to absorb the syrup into its layers. Whereas it is most common to find baklava made entirely with walnuts here in Greece, I prefer a combination with almonds. Sometimes I'll make the baklava using pistachios, or sometimes a 1/2-1/2 mixture of pistachios and almonds. They're all great variations on a delicious theme.
Provided by evelynathens
Categories Dessert
Time 1h40m
Yield 60 smallish pieces
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Make syrup first so that it can come to room temperature: In a small saucepan, combine honey, sugar and water. Bring to a slow boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Add lemon juice, cinnamon sticks and peels and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove peels and cinnamon sticks and allow to come to room temperature before using.
- Combine walnuts, almonds, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and 3 tablespoons melted butter together in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Place phyllo between sheets of waxed paper and cover with a slightly damp towel to prevent phyllo from drying out. Brush bottom and sides of an 18x12-inch inch pan generously with melted butter.
- Place 8 phyllo sheets into bottom of pan, brushing each sheet generously with butter. Take an additional 4 sheets of phyllo and place in pan allowing sheets to drape over each of the 4 sides of pan. Brush these with melted butter.
- Spread 2 cups of nut mixture into pan, distributing evenly over bottom. Fold over the overlapping phyllo sheets brushing each with butter, to envelop the nut mixture.
- Repeat layering process 2 more times to form 3 nut layers.
- Top pastry with remaining phyllo dough and generously brush top layer with melted butter. Tuck in the buttered phyllo neatly around.
- Score through top layers of pastry with a sharp knife making 6 strips lengthwise then cut 10 strips diagonally to form diamond shaped pieces. Stud each diamond-shaped piece (and any odd looking ones near the ends of the pan) in the centre with a whole clove per piece. Pour remaining melted butter over pastry and lightly sprinkle some water on top too (wet your hand under the tap twice and shake this out over the pastry).
- Bake pastry in a 325°F oven for 1 hour to 75 minutes, until nicely golden-brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Carefully spoon cool syrup over seam in pastry. Allow to stand at least 3 hours or overnight. Cut through the scored pieces and serve.
- Note: The clove studding each piece is not traditionally eaten, it is removed by the person whose piece it is before eating. The clove is there to add its 'perfume' to the piece as it bakes (and it looks pretty, too).
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your baklava.
- Make sure your filo dough is at room temperature before using it. This will make it easier to work with and less likely to tear.
- Brush each layer of filo dough with melted butter or ghee. This will help to keep the baklava moist and flavorful.
- Don't overfill your baklava with nuts. You want the baklava to be able to hold its shape when it is cut.
- Bake the baklava until it is golden brown and crispy. This will ensure that the baklava is cooked through and has a delicious flavor.
- Let the baklava cool completely before serving. This will allow the syrup to soak into the baklava and make it even more flavorful.
Conclusion:
Baklava is a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make baklava at home. Just follow the tips above and you'll be sure to end up with a baklava that is both beautiful and delicious.
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