Indulge in the exquisite taste of Jordanian Baklava, a delectable treat that tantalizes the senses with its layers of delicate pastry, generously filled with a medley of finely chopped nuts, and elegantly sweetened with luscious honey or syrup. Each bite unveils a symphony of flavors and textures, transporting you to the heart of Jordan's culinary heritage. Whether enjoyed as a luxurious dessert or a delightful accompaniment to tea, Jordanian Baklava is sure to leave a lasting impression with its irresistible combination of crunchy, nutty goodness and heavenly sweetness.
Ingredients:
For the pastry layers:
- 1 package of phyllo dough (about 1 pound), thawed if frozen
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the nut filling:
- 2 cups mixed nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, and almonds), finely chopped
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
For the syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions:
1- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves for the filling. Set aside.
3- Unroll the phyllo dough carefully and place it on a clean, dry surface. Cover it with a damp kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out.
4- Brush the bottom of the baking dish with melted butter. Take one sheet of phyllo dough and place it in the baking dish, allowing the edges to hang over the sides. Brush the sheet with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering 6 sheets of phyllo dough and buttering each layer.
5- Sprinkle a generous amount of the nut mixture evenly over the phyllo dough.
6- Continue layering the phyllo dough and butter on top of the nut mixture, using 2 sheets of phyllo dough per layer and buttering each sheet, until all the phyllo dough is used.
7- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.
8- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.
9- While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until slightly thickened.
10- Once the baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the hot syrup over the hot baklava, making sure to cover it evenly.
11- Allow the baklava to cool completely in the baking dish before serving. This will allow the pastry to absorb the syrup and become tender.
12- Serve the Jordanian Baklava at room temperature and enjoy the delicious layers of thin pastry filled with nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup.
Nutritional Values :
Here's the nutritional breakdown and benefits for the ingredients in your pastry layers, nut filling, and syrup:
For the Pastry Layers:
Phyllo Dough (1 package, about 1 pound):
- Calories: Approximately 1,400
- Fat: 70 grams
- Carbohydrates: 190 grams
- Protein: 20 grams
Benefits:Provides the base structure for the pastry. Phyllo dough is thin and crisp, contributing a delicate texture to pastries.
Unsalted Butter (1 cup, melted):
- Calories: Approximately 810
- Fat: 92 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
Benefits:
- Adds flavor, richness, and helps create a crisp, flaky texture in the pastry layers.
- Provides essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.
For the Nut Filling:
Mixed Nuts (2 cups, finely chopped):
- Calories: Approximately 1,200
- Fat: 100 grams
- Carbohydrates: 60 grams
- Protein: 30 grams
Benefits:
- Provides healthy fats, protein, and various vitamins and minerals.
- Nuts are good for heart health and can help improve cholesterol levels.
Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup):
- Calories: Approximately 400
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 100 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
Benefits:
- Adds sweetness and enhances the flavor of the nut filling.
- Should be used in moderation due to its high sugar content.
Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon):
- Calories: Approximately 6
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
Benefits:
- Adds flavor and provides antioxidants.
- May also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Ground Cloves (1/4 teaspoon):
- Calories: Approximately 2
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
Benefits:
- Adds a warm, aromatic flavor and provides antioxidants.
- May aid in digestion and oral health.
For the Syrup:
Water (1 cup):
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
Benefits:Acts as the base for the syrup, dissolving the sugar and honey.
Granulated Sugar (1 cup):
- Calories: Approximately 800
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 200 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
Benefits:
- Provides sweetness and thickness to the syrup.
- Should be used in moderation due to its high sugar content.
Honey (1/2 cup):
- Calories: Approximately 340
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 90 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
Benefits:
- Adds natural sweetness and may have antimicrobial properties.
- Provides some vitamins and minerals.
Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon):
- Calories: Approximately 4
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Protein: 0 grams
Benefits:Adds tartness, enhances flavor, and provides vitamin C.
Cinnamon Stick (optional):
- Calories: Approximately 6
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
Benefits:
- Adds flavor and provides antioxidants.
- May also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on factors such as specific brands used and variations in ingredient sizes.
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