Saturday, January 15, 2011

Baklava

Want to know what the most amazing thing in the world is?? BAKLAVA!! Its SO easy, and SO yummy!


First things first, melt the buttah.  It calls for one cup, but I like to use 3/4 (1 1/2 sticks instead of 2)


I also mixed in nutmeg and cinnamon into the butter, just for a lil extra oomph. I dumped the nuts into a bowl and mixed cinnamon right in


Then, you need to unroll the Fillo (Phyllo) Dough, mine looks like this:


When you unroll it and begin to work with it, I like to cover it with a wet towel so it doesn't dry out.  Once it drys out it start to crack when you work with it.


Grease a pan, I'm pretty sure I used  11 x 13, if its smaller it doesn't make a difference. Begin by putting down 4 sheets of the dough and painting butter on it.... not too much butter, just enough to wet it.


Do the same with the next four sheets.... butter... then layer 2 sheets.  Butter the 2 sheets the sprinkle 2-3 tbsps of nuts on it.  Repeat, until you only have 8 sheets left, and no more nuts.


Once you have 8 sheets left, you are going back to layering 4, buttering, 4 more, and more butter.  Make sure the top layer is pretty wet because when you begin to cut it seems to dry out pretty fast.

Now, you begin cutting.  I used a serrated knife, and when I cut I don't cut all the way through down to the bottom of the pan, for two reasons. 1) Its hard to cut and 2) once you pour the sauce on it sinks to the bottom - not cutting it all the way to the bottom helps this.



 Put in the oven (350) and bake for 45-50 mins (I usually do the 45 mins). When that is in the oven you will start your sauce - Boil water, honey, sugar and vanilla on the stove.  After it boils bring it to a simmer for 20 mins.  As soon as you remove the Baklava from the oven pour the sauce over it. 








Baklava
1 box Fillo sheets (16 oz)
10 oz Chopped Pecans (mixed with 1 tbsp cinnamon)
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

Sauce
1 1/4 cup water
1 1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup honey
2 tbsp vanilla

SweetasSugarCookies       Photobucket

12 comments:

  1. V- this looks delicious, I can't wait to try it when I finally get settle in NH.

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  2. I have always wanted to make baklava. You make it sound so easy, I'm going to have to give it a try!
    Love your blog...I'm a new follower.:)

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  3. aww thanks! You should try it, I made a "chocolate" version of it today, I basically added mini choc chips and cut down on the nuts. soo yummy! I will post it at some point!

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  4. Im extremely lazy, but LOVE baklava...ok im convinced, I'm gonna make this!

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  5. I love Baklava ... I'll probably try it with some pistachios!

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  6. Phyllo is my enemy lol, but maybe I can try and work with it again to try this! looks good!

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  7. I think you should all try this Baklava recipe.. its soo easy to make! (As long as you have a little patience.. haha). Let me know how it turns out!

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  8. I never would have guessed that "easy" and "baklava" could be used in the same sentence... I'm a big fan (and when I say big I'm also referring to my behind...)of Baklava so I think I'll give this a try. I make it for an "event" so I don't eat the whole pan by myself...

    Thanks for sharing!
    I'm visiting from Recipes I Can't Wait to Try.

    Sara
    www.TheOtherEndOfTheCandle.blogspot.com

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  9. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't think I've ever even tried baklava. Sad right?! This looks pretty easy though. Thanks for the idea! Thanks for linking up on Recipes I Can't Wait to Try! If you haven't already, be sure to stop back by my blog and enter in my giveaway! =)

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  10. Those look amazing! Baklava is on my bucket list so I am definitely saving this one!

    Has anyone come across a recipe for baklava that includes rose water? That was one of the secret ingredients in one of my favorite restaurant's baklava.

    Erin @ artfoodlifeblog.com

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  11. I LOVE baklava and will be attempting to make it! I tend to be very overwhelmed by recipes, but I think I can do it! :) So glad you shared this!

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