It is a sweet sugar syrup that is infused with rose and orange blossom water, lending the baklava a fragrant floral note. Mix the sugar, water, glucose syrup (if using), lemon, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a full boil over medium-high heat, stirring every so often to make sure the sugar dissolves. Baklava is a delicious layered pastry dessert that is traditionally made from phyllo pastry sheets that are filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. As we learned in our history of Greece, modern day Greece was, at one point, closely intertwined with Turkey. Nigella's Baklava (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) has a sticky-sweet filling made with chopped pistachio nuts that are soaked in a sugar syrup. Cut the baklava. Cover phyllo layers with a lightly damp kitchen towel, and keep covered. I love this it sounds amazing! First make syrup by mixing all the salted caramel syrup ingredients in a pan. Thaw your phyllo dough according to the package instructions. Check the baklava after 40 minutes. You can use honey in place of the homemade simple syrup. 1 pound Phyllo (defrosted overnight in the refrigerator), 3 cups shelled pistachios (finely chopped), 1/3 cup shelled pistachios (finely chopped). Sprinkle another 3/4 cup of nut mixture. Butter bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking dish. The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. Loukoumades: Greek and Cypriot Honey Donuts Recipe, Greece: History, Background, Culture, and Food. Let it thaw for at least 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the fridge. At this point, you should have 8 layers of phyllo. Despite puff pastry dough being flakey in texture, the two cannot be swapped for this baklava. It should look like the texture of the nuts in the picture above. Brush 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with butter. Combine nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in the basin of a food processor and pulse until nuts are finely chopped (about eight 1-second pulses). Allow the baklava to sit until completely cooled (at least one hour) before serving. Remove from the oven and drizzle 1-1 cup of simple syrup evenly all over the baklava. If we werent already home in our jammies sneaking more slices of this from the pan than wed care to admit, this would be one to write home about. Sprinkle with another quarter of nut mixture. Thanks for the review. Its a pleasure seeing you here! Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons pistachios; let cool completely. salted pistachios I use salted pistachios for a sweet-salted pistachios flavor. Prepare the simple syrup first and let it cool. Butter bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking dish. Not sure what went wrong for you but Im sorry it didnt turn out for you as expected. I am not a selfish person by any means, but baklava will let that trait peak its ugly little head out of its normal hiding place Ive had the most incredible baklava from a secret place in Nazereth. This helps keep the phyllo dough from drying out while you work. This version is made with pistachio but I have a walnut version too if youd like to give that a try! Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. The fifth layer Place 5 sheets of phyllo dough brushing each one with butter. As soon as you do, pour the syrup over the entire tray. 2 likes, 0 comments - Keto Diet Tips & Recipes (@low.carb_natalie) on Instagram: "Fool-proof lowcarb + keto "baklava" pancakes topped with a pistachio cardamom whip cream ." Keto Diet Tips & Recipes on Instagram: "Fool-proof lowcarb + keto "baklava" pancakes topped with a pistachio cardamom whip cream . I prefer to gently lay the pan over the stack of phyllo to cut it to size before I start filling my pan. Pistachios are prized for their mild, buttery flavor and green color. Sprinkle another 3/4 cup of nut mixture. To make the filling: Stir together the coconut, pistachios, sugar, water, orange flower water, and salt in a medium bowl. Meanwhile, get out your food processor and set it up. Bake baklava until the top is golden brown, and the lower phyllo layers beneath the pistachios are thoroughly baked through. You want to maintain some texture. If the top is getting too brown, cover it with a piece of foil. Then make cuts diagonally so you have diamond-shaped pieces. This Turkish-style baklava tastes deeply and richly of pistachio nuts and butter, without the spices, honey or aromatics found in other versions. cup walnuts, coarsely chopped. Directions. Finally, brush the edges of the pastry lightly with an egg wash to bake and seal the edges, and do not microwave phyllo pastry or pies because the bubbles will make the pastries soggy and limp. All done! Wow! When the pistachio baklava is done cooking, remove it from the oven. Make 5 cuts vertically and about 8 cuts diagonally. Sprinkle another 3/4 cup of nut mixture. Use your hands to gently mix in the butter and all but 2 tablespoons of the pistachios. Did you enjoy this Pistachio Baklava recipe? However we would avoid using chestnuts as they tend to be softer than the other nuts mentioned and they have a lower fat content. I finally decided to just jump in and start testing. In a medium pot, combine water and sugar. Made with multiple layers of delicately crispy and flaky phyllo sheets, this Pistachio Baklava is SO delicious. I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Pistachio Baklava recipe. Cookbook author, recipe developer, travel enthusiast, Pilates and Barre instructor, mother of five perpetually hungry boys, and wife of her biggest culinary fan. . A Lebanese version, on the other hand, typically has multiple layers of nuts and pastry on top of each other, making it even more special. Or use a combination of nuts. Duration: 12:25. Then cut diagonally so that each piece of baklava is in the shape of a diamond. Process the pistachios and powdered sugar in a processor. Spread a cup of the ground pistachios evenly on top. Leave it aside for later use. However, as long as you enjoy baklava in moderation, its ok to indulge every so often! This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. I followed everything except putting the rose water and orange blossom water coz I dont have any of it. Then use a pastry brush to brush the bottom and sides of a 913 glass dish with the melted butter. Stir in lemon juice. Your email address will not be published. teaspoon ground cardamom. Using the pan as a guide, cut off any extra phyllo so that it fits perfectly in the pan. Slowly pour hot sugar syrup over the pastry; it will bubble up and some may overflow. That means slap all hands that try to swipe a piece during this process! Step 4: Bake. In this article, well discuss the benefits of mixing pistachios and walnuts, as well as some tips for doing so. Way too much liquid and syrup did not have much flavor though it cooked for 20 minutes or more. Click the button below to add this recipe to one of your boards! If you can only find salted pistachios, simply omit the salt called for in the recipe. About 45 minutes is enough time to get a light brown color. How to Make Syrup: Mix the sugar, water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. I am amazed at how crispy, flakey, and delicious they are! Place another sheet of phyllo dough, then brush that with butter. Showcased in this classic Middle Eastern dessert, our Pistachios, in Shell, Roasted, Salted can be used as liberally as desired. The combination of lemon and water has a pleasant, fruity flavor, while the cinnamon and honey have a sweet and warm flavor. Spices, ingredients, utensils, techniques well learn it all, together. Remove paper. You want the beautiful flaky layers from the phyllo sheets. Place the walnuts and cinnamon in your food processor and pulse until chopped. Trim the phyllo dough to fit the baking pan as best as you can. Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. Drizzle any remaining melted butter over the top and use the pastry brush to distribute it evenly. If you want, you can serve it with orange slices. Prepare the phyllo dough by trimming the stack of it with scissors to fit the bottom of your baking dish. Oh, and the diamond shaped cut is a must!! Thanks for the review! Set aside. cup blanched unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped. However, other types of nuts such as pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, and even pine nuts can be used as well. Remove the cinnamon stick and allow to cool. Place another sheet of phyllo dough, then brush that with butter. Position your phyllo sheets on a cutting board. And when you pull the baking dish out of the oven, pour the syrup over the top and let it soak into every nook and cranny. One popular combination is using a mix of pistachios and walnuts. The first step to checking for signs that your pistachios have gone bad is to smell them. Transfer to oven and bake until golden, about 1 hour. I dont have much of a sweet tooth, but if you set a tray of lovely little baklava pieces in front of me, you may not want to stand between it and me. Ground nutmeg Fresh grated is best in our opinion. The first cuts should be 5 lengthwise cuts in the baklava. Most likely, the syrup will bubble up, and some of it may even spill over. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. There are different kinds of baklava that use different kinds of nuts, different kinds of syrup, and even different shapes for the baklava pieces. I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. hydrate and activate. Pulse the nuts in a food processor until they are finely chopped and about the texture of grape nuts or slightly smaller. Baklava | How To Make Baklava | Baklava Rolls | Pistachio Baklava the Syrup How To Use the nicest, most intact sheets of the remaining 10 phyllo sheets to make layers in the pan. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 5-8 minutes in the oven. It is made with layers of thin phyllo dough, filled with a delicious walnut and pistachio mixture, and topped with a sweet syrup. Thaw the phyllo dough according to the package instructions. How to Make Baklava Cups: Preheat Oven to 350F. Unroll phyllo sheets on a flat surface; lift the top half, and carefully roll into a tight tube. Cut two sheets of parchment paper that are 8 inches by 13 inches. Cut crosswise with a sharp knife to make ribbons that are 1 inch wide. If your phyllo pastry rips, its ok, dont fret. That will keep the phyllo from drying out as much. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for about 1 week. Fourth layer Place 5 sheets of phyllo dough brushing each one with butter. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the honey and lemon juice. This pistachio halvah is delightfully nutty, and after it sits for a couple of days, it will form its signature crystalline texture. Happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Be sure to pour the orange and cardamom honey syrup over the baklava when its hot from the oven. The origin of baklava is hard to pinpoint as it pre-dates the Ottoman-era! You dont want it to dry out and start breaking. Pulse the walnuts in a food processor until finely chopped or coarsely ground. Baste the top with any remaining butter. Pour all the butter that has been melted on top. Wrap phyllo in plastic wrap and place a damp kitchen towel on top to keep it from drying out. Seeing as I trust your taste fairly implicitly at this point, Im praying that this comes as close as possible to the bliss aforementioned. I will never purchase baklava or panettone again. I have some handy-dandy tips to make the process much easier. Roasted salted pistachios if you're feeling nutty and fancy Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark Instructions To make the granola, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. That will lead to swearing under your breath as you attempt to pray apart hair-thick sheets of phyllo dough. Warm the syrup back up over medium heat, then pour it over the hot pastry. Unwrap and spread out the phyllo on a large cutting board, then use your hands to flatten it. Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees. I have tried the Pistachio Baklava Recipe with grass-fed organic ghee and we have liked the baklava, its beautiful flavor and baking safety for its high smoke point. After your Cardamom Pistachio Baklava is assembled, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes but up to an hour before baking. lb finely chopped nuts, cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, teaspoon salt Brush melted butter evenly over the bottom and up the sides of a metal 913" baking dish (see note). Using a sharp knife with a pointed tip, cut the baklava into diamond shapes. Pour into a medium-size bowl. But almonds, pecans, hazelnuts and pine nuts are all delicious options that you're welcome to add in too. Finished with my aromatic Lebanese simple syrup, you will be tempted to eat this entire homemade baklava in one sitting. I use Athenos brand and each package has 2 rolls of 40 sheets measuring 914 inches. ), Creamed Peas Recipe (Stovetop & Instant Pot). (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the pan, (1 pound) frozen phyllo, thawed overnight in refrigerator, (4.5 ounces) shelled salted pistachio nuts, finely ground in food processor, Vanilla and Cardamom-Glazed Acorn Squash Rings. Be sure to start your syrup early so it has time to cool. To reduce the soggyness of baklava, either hot syrup or cold syrup can be used over it. Continue this process until you have laid down. Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone. Pulse the pistachios in the food processor until finely chopped or coarsely ground. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before making your Pistachio Baklava. The delicious Middle Eastern dessert babkalava is a popular dessert in many cultures. Set aside. This simple baklava recipe will help you integrate Middle Eastern culture into your daily life. Make the baklava the day before planning to serve it. Melted butter on its own doesnt provide the same finish to baklava that ghee does so I prefer to use ghee. Cookin' With Mima blog is a place where you can find hundreds of easy and delicious family-friendly recipes that are bound to please even your toughest critics. First mix together the ground flax and water and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes to. Position rack in lower third of oven, and preheat to 350F. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes. Make the syrup: While baking, make the syrup. Unroll the phyllo sheets on a flat surface, lift the top half, and carefully roll into a tight tube. Do you enjoy both savory and sweet canned goods? While pastries are chilling, preheat oven to 400F. It is indeed delicious. Cool to room temperature on wire rack, about 3 hours, then cover with foil and let stand at least 8 hours before serving. Put a pinch of ground pistachios in the middle of each piece. Slice from corner to corner across top of baklava, then make diagonal slices, about 1-1/2 inches apart, to create diamond pattern. Remove from the oven and immediately pour or spoon the cooled syrup over the hot baklava. Brush top piece with extra butter. I found it easier to place the sheets of dough by starting with the side closest to you and laying away from you to the other side of the pan. Bake the baklava until golden and crisp, about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours (I do 1 3/4 hours), turning the pan halfway through baking. Shriveled, dehydrated nuts probably mean your pistachios have gone rancid. Whether served as a snack between meals or for special occasions, baklava is sure to please with its sweet and crunchy texture. Add 4 more sheets, brushing in between each sheet. Thaw the phyllo dough according to package instructions. Making the syrup is as easy as mixing some water, sugar, honey, and lemon juice together. Bake until lightly browned, about 45 minutes. Eight layers of phyllo and butter line the bottom of a baking dish. Thanks for the review. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it and share it with your friends and family! Bring it to boil and simmer for 5 minutes while stirring constantly. It is thought that Armenians added the use of cinnamon and cloves, and that the Arabian peninsula added rose water or orange blossom water to the recipe. Then turn your pan and cut across diagonally, creating diamond shapes. Melted unsalted butter is not salt-coated. All rights reserved. As soon as you take the baklava out of the oven, pour the cooled syrup over the lines where you cut it until you have about 2 tablespoons left (the syrup will sizzle when it hits the hot pan). In a medium bowl, combine the pistachios, almonds, chocolate chips, and cinnamon. Can I use them to make something other than chocolate bark, like a cake or bread? Unsalted butter, melted High-quality European such as Plugra, Kerry Gold, or Danish. Add lemon juice, and boil 2 more minutes, then let cool slightly. The rich, decadent and delicious dessert Baklava is served all over the world during special occasions. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); When the baklava is done cooking, remove it from the oven. Crispy, flaky layers of cinnamon-scented honey-soaked phyllo pastry stuffed with warm spiced walnuts and pistachios. When the baklava has finished baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the cool syrup over the top. To check if the bottom layers are done, lift up a corner of one of the rectangles with a knife. Set aside. A sweet syrup is added after all of the flavors are combined. Sprinkle another 3/4 cup of nut mixture. Im the owner of Shari Blogs which is dedicated to cooking and lifestyle tips. Using a sharp knife, cut crosswise to make 1-inch-wide ribbons. You will split the amount into 3 portions. Meanwhile, prepare sugar syrup: In a medium pot, combine sugar with 1 cups/400 milliliters water. Fifth layer Place 5 sheets of phyllo dough brushing each one with butter. During my testing, the key for me was to reduce the honey syrup and infuse the orange, cinnamon, and cloves flavors during the process. 3. Pour the cooled syrup over the hot baklava and let it sit for at least an hour, or until all of the syrup is absorbed. It came out very good, just the way I like it. Tips, tricks & recipes to an effortless -- and delicious -- dinner! Sprinkle another 3/4 cup of nut mixture. Halvah is a tahini -based (sesame seed paste) dessert that can be flavored with nuts, chocolate, and other ingredients. Can you use roasted salted pistachios in baking? Cut diagonal lines width-wise to form triangles of baklava (see video/photos for more detail). Phyllo Dough Sheets, thawed and cut in half. Not Your Mamas Canning Book: Modern Canned Goods and What to Make with Them is available to order through these fine retailers! Using paper overhang, lift baklava onto a cutting board. Unfold the phyllo sheets and smooth out to flatten. Unfortunately, baklava has a lot of sugar in it as you coat the baklava with a syrup after baking, which leads to it being high in calories. You dont want extra moisture in it and you dont want it to dry out. Use the palms of your hands to press the layers together and get rid of any air pockets, working from the center outward. Make your pistachio baklava in advance. Are you interested in learning how to can food or to try new recipes for canning food? As soon as you've removed the Baklava from the oven, remove one little corner piece with a spoon and scoop out any nuts that have fallen into the pan in that section. In many parts of Turkey, baklava is frequently topped with honey or ice cream. Delicious And Easy: Savory Crepes With Salmon And Cream Cheese. Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 300 degrees F. In a large bowl toss together oats, brown sugar, spices, and salt. Place the walnuts and cinnamon in your food processor and pulse until chopped. I love my history nerd husband. 3. Put them in a bowl. A soggy baklava is something you should never leave out if you dont do it correctly. Add the honey syrup. Cover the pastry sheets with a sheet of parchment paper and then a clean damp towel. However, due to the long history of baklava, traditional may slightly differ with regional differences. Take care not to press down on the pan, though, as that will compact the sheets of phyllo. Sprinkle ⅓ of the walnuts into the baking dish. Place the chopped pistachios in a bowl and mix them with the powdered sugar Assembly Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a shallow bowl, place the warm water Working with one sheet at a time. In a bowl, combine pistachio nuts and 1/2 cup of the ghee. Finished with my aromatic Lebanese Simple Syrup, you will be tempted to eat this entire homemade baklava in one sitting. Top with 2 sheets of phyllo. Do not get salted pistachios. It has a purity of flavor that, while still quite sweet, is never cloying. 2008 - 2023, Foodie With Family. Whisk in the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Transfer to a measuring cup with a spout or a gravy boat and set aside to cool completely before using. Add the honey, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves. Spread pistachios on phyllo in an even layer, then layer with remaining phyllo, brushing each sheet with butter as you go (rewarm butter if necessary). Baklava looks delicious, but does it contain more then pistachios? Take 8 sheets of phyllo dough and layer them in the greased pan, brushing each sheet with melted butter as you go. I used orange blossom honey instead of the simple syrup. Put the pistachios and walnuts in a bowl, then add the, Once the 25 minutes is up, remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Before using, bring it back to room temperature.). To cut the baklava into diamonds, using a sharp knife cut into about 1 1/2 wide strips (three cuts). In a way, you can use butter as you can make ghee with butter. However, there are some slight differences in recipe and ingredients used to make baklava. Always keep the phyllo you aren't using covered with a damp towel on top of a layer of plastic wrap. Make sure the phyllo is completely defrosted before you use it. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Pulse the walnuts in a food processor until finely chopped or coarsely ground. Transfer the nuts to a medium bowl and add the cooled syrup, the salt, and the cinnamon. Cut the baklava into 4 long strips. Whisk again and bring to a boil. Im sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you absolutely need to let the syrup soaked baklava stand for at least 6 but preferably 8 hours after being made. Take the pan off the heat and let the butter sit for 10 minutes. 04 of 13 Pork, Apricot and Pistachio Sausage The Spruce / Teena Agnel Do not take your eyes off of it or else they will burn super fast. Once the sugar has melted, take the pan off the heat and add the honey, vanilla, and rose water. We threw it out. 2. Position your phyllo sheets on a cutting board. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator. preferably a mild one like orange blossom, apple blossom, or clover, two long strips of orange peel removed from an orange with a vegetable peeler, lightly smashed with the side of the knife to gently crush it, Slow-Cooker Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe. Baklava was soggy and wet. When it comes to making baklava, a traditional Middle Eastern pastry, there are many variations on the ingredients you can use. Are you on Pinterest? By: Mariam Ezzeddine|May 4, 2021This post may contain affiliate links, read my disclosure policy for details. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. To keep the baklava crispy, remove it from the oven and immediately spoon cooled syrup over it. Take care not to press down on the dough as this may compact it. Melt the 1 1/2 cups (340g/12oz) of butter slowly over medium-low heat until the milk solids have separated from the butterfat and settled on the bottom of the pan.