TURKISH (PISTACHIO)

NutritionSortLoading...
Loading...

2 ½ cups (350g) shelled raw pistachios

½ tsp (4g) fine sea salt

2 cups (454g) unsalted butter

1 pound (25 pieces) phyllo dough

2 ½ cups (470g) granulated sugar

½ cup (96g) muscovado sugar

juice of ½ lemon

1 ¾ cup water (415ml)

1-inch peel of lemon zest

Select allAdd

SortLoading...
Loading...

GREEK

25 sheets filo

2 ¾ cup (246g)walnuts

½ tsp (4g) fine sea salt

1 tbsp (8g) cinnamon powder

1 tsp (2g) allspice

¼ tsp fresh grated nutmeg

350g butter, melted

½ cup (97g) sugar

1 cup (110g) water

1 cup (282g) honey

1 cinnamon stick

Select allAdd

1. For the Turkish (pistachio): Preheat oven to 400F

2. In a medium-size pot, over medium-high, heat the butter; once it starts simmering, some of the milk solids will get foamy and will float to the top, skim that off.

3. Keep cooking the butter until it gets a more clear color; pour the melted butter through a mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a heat-proof container.

4. In a baking dish (9” x 13”), brush the bottom with butter (ghee), add one sheet of filo pastry, brush it with ghee, add one sheet of filo, brush it, and repeat this process until you get a 14 layer filo pastry.

5. In a food processor, add the pistachios and pulse them multiple times until they break up nicely.

6. Evenly disperse all the pistachios across the surface. Next, flick some ghee over the pistachios, add one sheet of filo pastry, brush it with ghee and repeat the process until you get another 14 layers of filo.

7. Using a knife, cut the dough into four strips, length-wise, all the way to the bottom, then cut diagonal to form diamond pieces. Pour some of the ghee on top, and bake for, 30 - 35 minutes.

8. Add the sugar, muscovado sugar, water, lemon peel, and lemon juice in a small pot. Heat it over medium-high, let it cook for 5 to 10 min, or until it reaches a loose syrup consistency. Once the Baklava is ready, pour all the syrup on top, garnish with finely ground pistachios on top of each piece, and place, on a wire rack to cool down completely.

9. For the Greek: Preheat oven to 400F

10. In a baking dish (9” x 13”), brush the bottom with butter or ghee, add one sheet of filo pastry, brush it with butter, add one sheet of filo, brush it, and repeat this process until you get a 14 layer filo pastry.

11. In a food processor, add the walnuts and pulse them multiple times until they break up nicely, but this time, we want them finer; add the cinnamon, allspice, and a touch of freshly grated nutmeg. Mix it well.

12. In a baking dish (9” x 13”), brush the bottom with melted butter (not hot) or ghee, add one sheet of filo, brush it with butter or ghee, add one sheet of filo, brush it, and repeat this process until you get a 14 layer filo paste.

13. Add the walnuts, flick some of the butter, place one layer of filo dough, brush it, and repeat until you get 14 layers of dough.

14. Cut to the bottom into rectangles with a knife. Bake for 30 - 35 min.

15. Add the sugar, water, a pinch of sea salt, a cinnamon stick, orange peel, and honey in a saucepot. Bring it to a boil over medium-high, reduce to medium and reduce for 5 to 7 minutes or until it reaches a light syrup consistency. Once the Baklava is ready, pour all the syrup on top and place, on a wire rack to cool down completely.