Recipe: Baklava [edit]

Step 1

Make syrup first so that it can come to room temperature.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, combine honey, sugar and water.

Step 3

Bring to a slow boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 4

Add lemon juice, cinnamon sticks and zests and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes, until slightly thickened.

Step 5

Remove rinds and cinnamon sticks and allow to come to room temperature before using.

Step 6

Combine walnuts, almonds, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and 3 tablespoons melted butter together in a bowl and mix thoroughly.

Step 7

Place filo between sheets of waxed paper and cover with a slightly damp towel to prevent phyllo from drying out

Step 8

Brush bottom and sides of an 18X12 Inch pan generously with melted butter.

Step 9

Place 8 phyllo sheets on bottom of pan, brushing each sheet generously with butter.

Step 10

Take an additional 4 sheets of phyllo and place in pan allowing sheets to drape over each of the 4 sides of pan.

Step 11

Brush these with melted butter.

Step 12

Pour 2 cups of nut mixture into pan and spread evenly.

Step 13

Fold over the overlapping phyllo sheets brushing each with butter, to envelop the nut mixture.

Step 14

Repeat layering process 2 more times to form 3 nut layers.

Step 15

Top pastry with remaining filo dough and generously brush top layer with melted butter.

Step 16

Tuck in the buttered phyllo neatly around.

Step 17

Score through top layers of pastry with a sharp knife making 6 strips lengthwise then cut 10 strips diagonally to form diamond shaped pieces.

Step 18

Stud each diamond-shaped piece (and any odd looking ones near the ends of the pan) in the center with an entire clove.

Step 19

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).

Step 20

Bake pastry in a 325 degree oven for 1 hour, until nicely golden-brown.

Step 21

Allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Step 22

Carefully spoon cool syrup over pastry allow to stand at least 3 hours or overnight.

Step 23

Cut through the scored pieces and serve.