Baklava / Filo Layered Nutty Pastry

It is believed that the Assyrians at around 8th century B.C. were the first people who mixed together a few layers of thin bread dough, with some chopped nuts in between the layers they added some honey and baked it in their primitive wood burning ovens.

Preparation time: 30 minutes   Quantity: Serves 8 - 10   Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

240g /8 oz sugar
150 ml/5 fl oz water
½ tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 cinnamon stick

1 packet filo pastry
120g/ 4 oz melted butter
60g/ 2 oz pistachios roughly chopped
60g/ 2 oz almonds roughly chopped

Method

  • Make up syrup first using the sugar, water, lemon juice,honey and cinnamon stick
  • Boil until dissolved leave to cool
  • Layer a tin with ½ the filo pastry brushing liberally with the melted butter in between each sheet
  • Sprinkle the nuts in and then carry on with the other half of the pastry
  • Brush butter on top
  • Bake 150c for 25 mins remove pour all the syrup on top of the hot baklava –leave to cool and serve.