Baklava

Name: Baklava
Ingredients: 10 double graham crackers (about 1/3 of 1 lb package); 12 ounces shelled walnuts; 12 ounces unsalted shelled pistachios; 12 cup brown sugar, firmly packed; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 12 teaspoon ground cloves; 14 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, more to taste; 14 teaspoon ground allspice; 12-1 teaspoon salt (desirable) (optional); 2 -4 tablespoons orange flower water (preferred) or 2 -4 tablespoons rose water (available at Middle Eastern markets); 1 lb unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm; 1 (17 1/4 ounce) packagefrozen phyllo pastry sheets, thawed in refrigerator; 3 cups sugar; 2 cups water; 14 cup orange blossom honey; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 lemon juice, and zest of grated; 2 slices orange rind (if desired, squeeze juice into water); 1 cinnamon stick (optional); 3 whole cloves (optional); 2 -4 tablespoons orange flower water (preferred) or 2 -4 tablespoons rose water (available at Middle Eastern markets)

21 ingredients

1 steps

Ingredients

10 double graham crackers (about 1/3 of 1 lb package)
12 ounces shelled walnuts
12 ounces unsalted shelled pistachios
12 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon ground cloves
14 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, more to taste
14 teaspoon ground allspice
12-1 teaspoon salt (desirable) (optional)
2 -4 tablespoons orange flower water (preferred) or 2 -4 tablespoons rose water (available at Middle Eastern markets)
1 lb unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm
1 (17 1/4 ounce) packagefrozen phyllo pastry sheets, thawed in refrigerator
3 cups sugar
2 cups water
14 cup orange blossom honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 lemon juice, and zest of grated
2 slices orange rind (if desired, squeeze juice into water)
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
3 whole cloves (optional)
2 -4 tablespoons orange flower water (preferred) or 2 -4 tablespoons rose water (available at Middle Eastern markets)

Directions

1

["Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.", "Grind graham crackers in food processor until as fine as breadcrumbs.", "Sift out about 1/3 cup of the finest, and set them aside.", "Place remainder in a medium bowl.", "Spread walnuts and pistachios on a baking sheet, and toast at 300 degrees F for about 15-20 minutes, until quite fragrant but not smelling overcooked, stirring every 5 minutes.", "Allow nuts to cool completely, place in food processor, and pulse until most of the nuts are medium-fine, but not too fine.", "Transfer to bowl with graham cracker crumbs.", "Add cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice.", "and mix together until well combined.", "Taste, and add optional salt if desired.", "Sprinkle with orange flower or rose water, 1 Tbsp at a time, stirring between additions, until it tastes good to you.", "Return mixture to baking sheet, and place it in the oven.", "Reduce heat to 225 degrees F, and dry for about 20-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.", "Mixture should still be slightly damp.", "Remove from oven, allow to cool, and return to bowl.", "While nuts cool, start to make the syrup.", "Combine all ingredients, except orange flower or rose water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.", "Reduce the heat and let simmer for 10-20 minutes, until thickened and temperature reads 220 degrees F on a candy thermometer.", "Remove the orange peel, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves, and set aside to cool.", "When just warm, add orange flower water or rose water to taste, stir well, and refrigerate.", "Syrup must be no warmer than room temperature when poured over the baklava, or it won't soak in well.", "Brush a 13\"x9\""x2\"" baking pan with melted butter