Baklava is one of the most adored deserts in Turkey and regions of Balkan, Middle East, and Central Asia. It isn’t hard to see why since this syrup-soaked and nuts-filled pastry is easy to make and incredibly delicious in all of its variants. Now, baklava is usually reserved for special occasions in countries where it’s popular. Still, there is nothing stopping you from being a bit rebellious and making it just because you feel like it. And we have just a perfect recipe you can use for the Turkish variant.
Ingredients
- 1 pack thin filo (phyllo) sheets
- 3 cups nuts (walnuts or pistachios)
- 2 cups melted butter
- 3 cups water
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Chop the nuts to fine bits.
3. Take a large pan and brush some melted butter on it.
4. Lay one filo sheet on the pan and brush it with melted butter. Put another filo sheet on it, brush it with melted butter before laying another filo sheet on top of them and brushing it with melted butter as well.
5. Now that you have three stacked sheets, cover them with your crushed nuts.
6. Lay another three filo sheets on top (brushing each with melted butter) before adding more crushed nuts. Repeat the process until you run out of nuts and filo sheet.
7. Cut the baklava into diamond pieces (anywhere from 24 to 36, depending on the size of your pan) and put it in the oven for 40 minutes.
8. While the baklava is in the oven, you will need to prepare the syrup. The process starts with mixing the water and sugar in the pot on medium heat.
9. Stir occasionally, and when the mixture starts to boil, add lemon juice. Continue stirring until the syrup becomes mildly thick, and then take it off the stove.
10. After taking the baklava out of the oven, immediately pour the syrup (that’s not too hot) all over it.
11. Prepared baklava should sit uncovered until it cools, and then it’s ready to be enjoyed!
