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How to Make Traditional Middle Eastern Baklava at Home

Baklava is a quintessential dessert in Middle Eastern cuisine, celebrated for its rich flavours, flaky texture, and sweet, sticky syrup. Typically made from layers of filo pastry, nuts, and honey, baklava is perfect for special occasions or a delightful treat any day. If you’ve ever craved this scrumptious delicacy, why not try making it at home? Below is an authentic recipe that will guide you through the process of creating your own traditional Middle Eastern baklava.

Ingredients

Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:

For the Baklava:

• 500g filo pastry (thawed if frozen)
• 250g unsalted butter (melted)
• 300g walnuts (or a mix of walnuts and pistachios), finely chopped
• 100g granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Syrup:

• 300ml water
• 200g granulated sugar
• 120ml honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A splash of lemon juice

Equipment Needed

• Baking dish (approximately 33×23 cm)
• Pastry brush
• Sharp knife
• Saucepan (for the syrup)
• Mixing bowl

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Prepare the Nut Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped nuts, sugar, and ground cinnamon. This will form the delicious filling for your baklava.

3. Layer the Filo Pastry: Unroll the filo pastry and cover it with a damp tea towel to prevent it from drying out. Take one sheet of filo and lay it flat in the baking dish, brushing it generously with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering and buttering each sheet, until you have about 8 sheets layered at the bottom.

4. Add the Nut Filling: Once you have your base layer, sprinkle a third of the nut mixture evenly over the filo pastry. Continue this process by layering 4-5 more sheets of buttered filo, followed by another third of the nut mixture. Repeat once more, until all the nut mixture is used. Finish with a final layer of about 8 more sheets of buttered filo on top.

5. Cut the Baklava: Before baking, use a sharp knife to cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes. Making cuts before baking helps with serving later, as the layers tend to stick together.

6. Bake the Baklava: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.

7. Prepare the Syrup: While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, honey, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

8. Pour the Syrup: Once the baklava is out of the oven and has cooled slightly, carefully pour the syrup over the hot baklava. The syrup will soak into the layers, adding sweetness and moisture.

9. Cool and Serve: Allow the baklava to cool completely before serving. This will give time for the syrup to permeate the layers fully. Serve it at room temperature and enjoy the crunchy, nutty, and syrup-soaked delight!

Tips for Perfect Baklava

• Don’t Rush the Layers: Take your time layering the filo and butter. Each layer adds texture and flavour to the baklava.
• Experiment with Nuts: While walnuts are traditional, feel free to use other nuts such as pistachios or almonds for a variation in taste and texture.
• Make Ahead: Baklava can be made a day in advance, allowing the flavours to develop even further. Just keep it covered at room temperature.

Conclusion

Making traditional Middle Eastern baklava at home may seem daunting, but with this authentic recipe, you’ll have a delightful result that’s well worth the effort. Whether it’s for a festive occasion or a sweet indulgence, this baklava is sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy the process, and savour every delicious bite!