Recipe Baklava Special

It seems like you're looking for a recipe for "baklava," a delicious and popular dessert in Middle Eastern cuisine. Baklava is made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and sweet syrup. Here's a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

For the baklava layers:

• 1 package of phyllo dough (16 oz), thawed if frozen
• 1 to 1.5 cups unsalted nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, or almonds), finely chopped

For the syrup:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon rose water or orange blossom water (optional)

For assembling the baklava:

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Syrup:

- In a saucepan, combine water and sugar.

- Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.

- Stir in the lemon juice and optional rose water/orange blossom water.

- Let the syrup simmer for about 10-15 minutes until it slightly thickens.

- Remove from heat and let it cool completely.

2. Preheat the Oven:

- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

3. Prepare the Nut Filling:

- In a bowl, mix the finely chopped nuts together.

4. Assemble the Baklava:

- Brush a baking dish with melted butter.

- Lay a sheet of phyllo dough in the baking dish and brush it with melted butter.

- Repeat the process, layering phyllo sheets and brushing each layer with butter, until you have about 8-10 layers.

5. Add the Nut Filling:

- Spread a generous layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo layers.

6. Continue Layering:

- Add another 4-6 layers of phyllo dough, brushing each layer with butter.

7. Cut into Diamond or Square Shapes:

- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.

8. Bake:

- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until the baklava turns golden brown and crispy.

9. Pour the Syrup:

- Once the baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup over the hot baklava.

10. Cool and Serve:

- Allow the baklava to cool completely, allowing it to absorb the syrup.

- Once cooled, you can lift the pieces out and serve them on a plate.

Baklava is often garnished with additional chopped nuts on top. Enjoy this sweet and nutty treat!

Please note that baklava can be a bit delicate to work with due to the phyllo dough, so handle it carefully to avoid tearing the layers.