Easy Baklava

* Exported from MasterCook *

EASY BAKLAVA

Recipe By : the California Culinary Academy
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :1:15
Categories : Pies, Cakes & Desserts

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
safflower oil -- for coating pan
1 cup ground almonds
1 cup ground walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
8 sheets filo
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups date sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon rind
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a deep 9- by 12-inch baking
pan.

2. In a small bowl combine almonds, walnuts, and cinnamon. Set aside.

3. Cut each sheet of filo in half. Stack cut sheets on counter. With a large
pastry brush, dot top sheet with about 1 teaspoon butter, then spread evenly
to coat as much of sheet as possible (see Preparing Filo). Lay evenly in
baking pan. Sprinkle lightly with nut mixture. Repeat with remaining sheets,
stacking evenly.

4. To cut baklava make 4 evenly spaced vertical cuts through the entire stack
of filo. Then cut diagonally to form diamond shapes. (Four evenly spaced
diagonal cuts will yield 15 to 20 pastries.) Bake for 20 minutes, then lower
heat to 300 degrees F and bake for 30 minutes more.

5. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, simmer date sugar, lemon rind,
lemon juice, and honey until thickened. Pour over cooked baklava as soon as
it comes out of the oven. Let cool and then serve.

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NOTES : This traditional Greek dessert alternates sheets of thin filo pastry
with a mixture of ground almonds, walnuts, and cinnamon. When the pastry
comes out of the oven, it soaks in a lemon-flavored honey glaze.
Nutr. Assoc. : 0 18 5471 0 3286 1553 4095 802 0 0