Almond Baklava with Rose Water
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2/3 cup honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 8 2x1/2-inch strips orange peel
- 2 teaspoons rose water*
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups coarsely chopped almonds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 15 fresh phyllo pastry sheets or frozen, thawed
- Plain yogurt
- Stir 1 1/3 cups sugar, 1 1/2 cups water, honey, cinnamon sticks, and orange peel in saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- Increase heat; bring to boil.
- Remove from heat.
- Mix in rose water.
- Chill until cold.
- Preheat oven to 325F.
- Brush 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with some of melted butter.
- Mix almonds, ground cinnamon, allspice, and 1/3 cup sugar in medium bowl.
- Fold 1 sheet of phyllo in half to form 12x9-inch rectangle.
- Place folded sheet in prepared pan.
- Brush with melted butter.
- Repeat with 4 more folded sheets, brushing top of each folded sheet with butter.
- Sprinkle half of nut mixture over.
- Top with 1 folded pastry sheet and brush with butter.
- Repeat with 4 more folded sheets, brushing top of each with butter.
- Sprinkle remaining nut mixture over.
- Repeat with 5 more folded sheets, brushing top of each with butter.
- Using sharp knife, make 5 diagonal cuts across phyllo, cutting through top layers only and spacing cuts evenly.
- Repeat in opposite direction to form diamond pattern.
- Bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes.
- Strain rose syrup.
- Spoon 1 cup syrup over hot baklava; cover and chill remaining syrup.
- Recut baklava along lines all the way through layers.
- Let stand 4 hours.
- (Can be made 1 day ahead.
- Cover and let stand at room temperature.)
- Serve baklava with yogurt and remaining syrup.
- Available at Middle Eastern markets and specialty foods stores.
sugar, water, honey, cinnamon sticks, water, unsalted butter, almonds, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, fresh phyllo pastry sheets, yogurt
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/almond-baklava-with-rose-water-106124 (may not work)