I still ask myself all the time what I want to do when I grow up. And all sorts of things come up, but the two biggest things that come to mind are TRAVEL and COOK. Who knows, maybe I can be a traveling caterer someday, cooking and baking my way around the world! But I do know that I want to do as much of the two as possible.
One of my top destinations is Greece, without a doubt. I mean, seriously, how could you not want to go there?
But it's not just the scenery that I want to experience, it's the food! (I'm sure you saw that coming). I adore Greek food, with it's sharp rich flavors and meats. But my latest favorite has become their trademark Baklava.
Baklava is simply several layers of Phyllo Dough, baked with nuts and spices, and then soaked in a sweet syrup. It sounds simple, but it is out of this world delicious. I was also pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to make. The Phyllo got a bit tricky to work with at time because it is so thin, but ultimately I felt like I was just making a bed, with about 100 sheets on it! My favorite part though was how pretty it turned out, with very little effort, I just love all of those layers!
Baklava
By Recipezaar
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough
1 lb chopped nuts
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup honey
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 inch pan.
3. Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon.
4. Set aside.
5. Unroll phyllo dough.
6. Cut whole stack in half to fit pan.
7. Cover phyllo with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work.
8. Place two sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly.
9. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered.
10. Sprinkle 2- 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top.
11. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go.
12. The top layer should be about 6- 8 sheets deep.
13. Using a sharp knife cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan.
14. You may cut into 4 long rows the make diagonal cuts.
15. Bake for about 50 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp.
16. Make sauce while baklava is baking.
17. Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted.
18. Add vanilla and honey.
19. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
20. Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it.
21. Let cool.
22. Serve in cupcake papers.
23. This freezes well.
24. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up.
29 comments:
I had to chuckle when I read your post because I share your passion for cooking and travel too! I would love the opportunity to travel all over the world! I think my very favorite dessert in all the world is baklava. That stuff is fantastic, with a capital "F"!! It looks absolutely wonderful!!
Can I be your assistant traveling cook? This baklava looks amazing.
If you go to Greece please take me with you! We can be the cooking and traveling team. And you'll have built in medical care! Okay good it's a plan.
This baklava looks awesome. I am always so impressed by all it's layers!
Such a delicious baklava and pretty pictures of Greece. I would love to go one day!!
Oh, I've made this recipe before and it's delicious! I've never been to Greece, but it's on my list of places to go. Baklava is amazing!
I love baklava! I have never tried making it at home, though. I will have to try it!
You are totally awesome. I've only eaten and loved this, have never tried to make it; I'm too scarrit to try it, smile. Picture is drool worthy! Well done indeed.
Greece is so gorgeous! I want to stop there on my way to Italy. Some day. Your baklava looks absolutely amazing!
I'm totally in love with the thought of going to Greece... And I drool over baklava. Delicious post :D
Cooking and travel are naturals together...
I was fortunate enough to go to Greece and loved it AND adored the food!
Your Baklava looks divine! I've never made it at home, have made a mini phyllo cup version of Giada's but would love to try your full version!
Traveling to Greece is on my MUST DO list. The baklava looks amazing.
I have the same two passions....Traveling and cooking.
I think you should go ahead and plan to go to Greece. Well planned in advance and it can be an affordable trip. With economic crisis in their ocuntry right now, I bet you could secure some good travel deals.
Greece would be a fabulous place to visist. The food would be amazing just like your baklava.
Greece sounds like a good place to start to me! When do we leave?!?! LOVED your baklava! You are a pastry rock star. Such a beautiful dessert!
Gorgeous photos! What could be better than cooking and traveling? Love that baklava!
I've heard of this but never eaten it. It looks delightful!!!
WOW, kudos! I love nuts and have always been intrigued by baklava but have been intimidated by the phyllo dough. I want to try.
~ingrid
I absolutely LOVE Baklava!
Drooling over your baklava! It was love at first bite when I first tried it (at vacation bible school, of all places) when I was a kid. Ever since, if I stumble across it at a restaurant or market, I have to buy a taste. I've still never made my own. Thanks for the recipe. Hope you have a great weekend...you can come to my cookout any time. : )
I love all the foods of Greece, especially baklava, but I've never tried to make it at home. Thanks for this recipe - you've inspired me to give it a try.
I hope you will visit Greece one day. It's so beautiful.
I might have to try this recipe!! I love Baklava but thought it was hard to make so have never tried it. I am up for travel ANYWHERE!! I just love to see new places and new cultures.
Teresa, one of my top destination is Greece too!!! Such a gorgeous place...and amazing food, too! I've never attempted making balkava, though. Always thought it was too complicated!
I hope you get to visit Singapore, too. ;)
Greece is on the top of my list of places to visit too. Your baklava looks scrumptious!
I, too, love Greek food. I have two Greek friends, both good cooks. Baklava is a well-loved dessert.
This looks so yummy! Love Greek food.
I ask myself this same question daily! Hey, are you a pisces too?! :D
I made baklava for the first time ever recently with my son's class. It is so delicious. Your baklava looks so wonderful! I wish ours would have come out this well!
A traveling caterer? That would be such an awesome job. You must promise to hire me ;) The dessert looks incredible. I've never actually made baklava...but think its totally delicious :)
that looks delicious! I don't usually make sweet things, but I may have to make this!
Baklava always seemed so intimidating to me but you really make it sound pretty easy. I guess with phyllo dough already made, it's not too bad. Thanks for the inspiration! :)
This is one dessert I never get tired of - Great job! Sorry for all the comments - I 've been out of the loop for the past month. Trying to catch up!
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