FILO PASTRY WITH NUTS

ingredients:

1 lb. "filo" pastry (about 20 sheets)
1/2 c. butter
2 c. finely chopped almonds
1 c. finely chopped walnuts
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. pounded mixed cloves and cinnamon bark

 

FOR THE SYRUP:

2 c. sugar
2 c. hot water
1 sm. piece cinnamon
The rind of 1 lemon
2 tbsp. lemon juice

  

methods:

In a bowl mix both kinds of nuts, sugar and pounded spices. Grease sides and bottom of 12 x 8 oven dish. Brush with butter 6 sheets of filo pastry and place in oven dish. 

 

Spread over half of the nuts mixture. Brush with butter another 6 sheets of filo and place to cover the nuts. Spread over the filo the rest of nuts. Brush the remaining filo and cover the second bed of nuts. 

 

Fold the edges of filo under the sides of dish and brush the top with the rest of butter. Cut filo into square or diamond shapes and sprinkle some cold water on top. 

 

Place baklava in a 350 degree oven and bake for 1 hour until golden. Pour in a saucepan sugar and water and stir to dissolve. 

 

Add remaining syrup ingredients and heat to boil for about 15 minutes until the syrup thickens. Remove from heat, cool and remove lemon rind. Remove baklava from oven and while still hot pour over the cold syrup. 

 

Cool and cut in pieces.

 

Makes about 20 pieces.