Baklava: Turkish cake recipe with walnuts, almonds and pistachios

Arab gastronomy, and in particular the Turkish gastronomy, it stands out for its wide diversity of aromas, flavors and textures. As you surely know, it is a gastronomy in which the use of nuts and spices is fundamental, enjoying in fact a position certainly outstanding, as for example could be the case of the almond or the pistachio.

Although it is tremendously popular typical dishes that have come to our streets as for example is the case of Kebab (a type of meat popular not only in Turkey but in other countries such as India, Iran or Pakistan, which is minced and marinated), the truth is that Turkish cuisine is quite rich in a wide variety of dishes and recipes.

An example is the Testi Kebab, consisting of a kind of meat stew that is made in a traditional way in a ceramic container, which is broken at the time of serving. Or the chicken with honey, with that flavor and texture so characteristic.

However, who can deny the most typical sweets and desserts in Turkey? An example are the wonderful and exquisite Turkish delicacies, which consist of a Turkish sweet made with sugar, with a gelatinous texture, which is flavored with rose water or lemon water.

But if there is a known dessert inside and outside this country, that is the baklava, which also has other names such as Baclava or Baklawa.

What is the Baklava?

The baklava is a cake that is made with a sweet base of crushed walnuts, which are distributed in a kind of phyllo dough, and which is finally bathed in syrup of honey or syrup.

There are different varieties, so crushed nuts can be substituted by other nuts, as for example is the case of almonds or hazelnuts.

Its origin seems to go back to ancient Mesopotamia, although there is evidence that even the Assyrians back in the seventh century BC. they were the first to place layers of bread dough next to crushed nuts, adding a little honey and baking it in primitive wood ovens.

Turkish baklava recipe

This traditional Turkish cake is typically made from walnuts, pistachios and almonds, which - as indicated above - are crushed. Its preparation is tremendously simple. Do you dare to elaborate it at home ?.

Ingredients:

  • 180 gr. of nuts
  • 180 gr. of peeled almonds
  • 180 gr. of pistachios
  • 150 gr. of butter
  • 90 gr. of sugar
  • Sheets of phyllo dough
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Syrup

Preparation of the baklava:

  1. With the help of a chopper, crush the peeled almonds, walnuts and pistachios, all together so that they integrate very well.
  2. In a bowl or large bowl mix the crushed nuts with sugar, cinnamon powder and nutmeg.
  3. Now in a microwaveable bowl melt the butter, stirring occasionally.
  4. Now, in order that the cake does not stick, grease with a bit of butter a mold of rectangular shape, both for its walls and the base.
  5. Preheat the oven to 170ºC.
  6. Put two slices of phyllo dough in the mold and spread them with a little of the melted butter, covering the bottom with these two slices.
  7. Now above the sheets spread a layer not very thick of the mixture of nuts and sugar.
  8. Re-color a new sheet of phyllo dough, spread it with butter and add another layer of nuts.
  9. Repeat this operation as many times as you wish, until you finish with the filling. Of course, always ends with a layer of two sheets of phyllo dough, topped with butter.
  10. Place in the oven and let the pasta set, for 20 to 30 minutes.
  11. Then remove from the oven, cut into squares and put in the oven again. Bake this time for another 10 minutes more.
  12. When you notice that the phyllo dough is golden, cover with a layer of syrup on top.
  13. Ready! Now you can enjoy this delicious Turkish dessert.

Turkish tea recipe to accompany the Baklava

What would the baklava be without a delicious Turkish tea to serve as a companion? Although traditionally this tea is made in Turkey with two teapots, we are going to reduce the process and explain how to elaborate in a simpler way this wonderful and typical hot drink.

Ingredients:

  • 1 spoon of black tea for each cup
  • Water

preparation:

  1. First, heat the teapot with a little hot water.
  2. Meanwhile, boil some water in a saucepan.
  3. Remove the hot water from the teapot and add the teaspoon of black tea.
  4. Now pour the boiling water into the teapot and let it infuse for 4 minutes.
  5. Ready! Serves and sweetens to taste.
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