The eastern Mediterranean region is known for its delicious food. Whether it's Greek dolmades, Turkish kebabs, Lebanese tabbouleh or Israeli hummus and falafel, it's as if a bite into one of the regional specialties is a bite into pure sunshine. Often there are dishes that are found throughout the area but with slight variations depending on where you are. One of these is a heavenly dessert best known as baklava.
The most famous sweet Mediterranean treat is a delectably sweet and syrupy dish. It's basically a concoction of buttery pastry layered with chopped nuts. This is cut into shapes and baked before it's drenched in syrup.
Most people think of the dessert as a Greek dish. While there are different theories about its origins, however, it seems to have been perfected in the kitchens of the Topkapi Palace during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Today it's enjoyed in Turkey and many of the countries that used to be part of the empire, including the Balkan states. It's even enjoyed in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Afghanistan and Iran.
To make the delectable treat, you need filo pastry. Use several layers and separate them with melted butter or a bit of oil. Albanians often add the yolk of an egg or two to the dough for added richness. Greeks believe that there should be 33 layers of dough to symbolize the number of years that Christ spent among people.
The layers of pastry are alternated with layers of chopped nuts. Some recipes only use one layer of nuts in the center while others call for several layers. Most typically, walnuts, hazelnuts or pistachios are used but some people prefer chopped almonds. The nuts are often mixed with sugar and spices such as cinnamon or cloves for extra flavor.
Once you've assembled the dough and the nuts in your baking dish, use a sharp knife to cut out smaller shapes. You can stick with simple rectangles or squares or you can opt for triangles or lozenges instead. The shapes chosen often depend on the region where the dish is made. Bake the pastry and once it's ready, pour the syrup over. The syrup can have honey, orange flower water, rose water or even vanilla added to it for a bit of extra flavor.
Because the sweet treat is so rich, it's usually made only for special occasions. It's a popular wedding dessert but is often served to end the evening meal during the month of Ramadan or for Eid to mark the end of the fasting period too. Christians often serve it at Christmas or Easter. You can enjoy it hot or cold but it's most commonly served at room temperature. If you want, include a bit of ice cream or cream. A cup of strong coffee goes perfectly with the syrupy sweetness.
Recipes are easy to find online or in recipe books, especially those that focus on the cuisines of Central Asia or the Mediterranean. If it sounds too time consuming to make from scratch, buy your slice of sunshine from a restaurant or a deli. Most Greek or Turkish restaurants will have it on their menu but you might also find it at some Middle Eastern businesses. Then simply close your eyes and let the syrup sweeten your soul.
The most famous sweet Mediterranean treat is a delectably sweet and syrupy dish. It's basically a concoction of buttery pastry layered with chopped nuts. This is cut into shapes and baked before it's drenched in syrup.
Most people think of the dessert as a Greek dish. While there are different theories about its origins, however, it seems to have been perfected in the kitchens of the Topkapi Palace during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Today it's enjoyed in Turkey and many of the countries that used to be part of the empire, including the Balkan states. It's even enjoyed in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Afghanistan and Iran.
To make the delectable treat, you need filo pastry. Use several layers and separate them with melted butter or a bit of oil. Albanians often add the yolk of an egg or two to the dough for added richness. Greeks believe that there should be 33 layers of dough to symbolize the number of years that Christ spent among people.
The layers of pastry are alternated with layers of chopped nuts. Some recipes only use one layer of nuts in the center while others call for several layers. Most typically, walnuts, hazelnuts or pistachios are used but some people prefer chopped almonds. The nuts are often mixed with sugar and spices such as cinnamon or cloves for extra flavor.
Once you've assembled the dough and the nuts in your baking dish, use a sharp knife to cut out smaller shapes. You can stick with simple rectangles or squares or you can opt for triangles or lozenges instead. The shapes chosen often depend on the region where the dish is made. Bake the pastry and once it's ready, pour the syrup over. The syrup can have honey, orange flower water, rose water or even vanilla added to it for a bit of extra flavor.
Because the sweet treat is so rich, it's usually made only for special occasions. It's a popular wedding dessert but is often served to end the evening meal during the month of Ramadan or for Eid to mark the end of the fasting period too. Christians often serve it at Christmas or Easter. You can enjoy it hot or cold but it's most commonly served at room temperature. If you want, include a bit of ice cream or cream. A cup of strong coffee goes perfectly with the syrupy sweetness.
Recipes are easy to find online or in recipe books, especially those that focus on the cuisines of Central Asia or the Mediterranean. If it sounds too time consuming to make from scratch, buy your slice of sunshine from a restaurant or a deli. Most Greek or Turkish restaurants will have it on their menu but you might also find it at some Middle Eastern businesses. Then simply close your eyes and let the syrup sweeten your soul.
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