Turkish Pastries With Nuts and Syrup (Baclava)

Simple to make and yet tasty. Phyllo leaves layered with walnuts or almonds and a simple sugar lemon syrup.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1  lb phyllo pastry (about 24 sheets)
• 16  tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 1⁄2 cups walnuts or 2 1⁄2 cups  almonds, chopped

• SYRUP

• 2  cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

1. Brush a 9 x 12 inch dish with melted butter.
2. Fold a sheet of phyllo in half and carefully lay in the pan.
3. Brush with melted butter.
4. Repeat until there are 6 layers of phyllo.
5. Sprinkle 1/3 of the nuts on the last layer.
6. Add 6 more phyllo leaves, brushing each one with melted butter.
7. Add 1/3 more nuts.
8. Repeat this procedure until all ingredients are used ending with a pastry layer.
9. Brush the top layer with butter and cut into diamond shapes 2 inches wide.
10. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 minutes.
11. Reduce the heat to 300°F and continue baking for 30 minutes longer.
12. FOR THE SYRUP: Add the sugar to the water.
13. Add lemon juice and boil the syrup for 5 minutes.
14. Pour over the warm pastry and let cool before serving.
15. The World’s Best Recipes.