The region of the eastern Mediterranean is famous for its tasty cuisine. Whether it's the dolmades of Greece, the kebabs of Turkey, the falafel of Lebanon or the hummus of Israel, the local specialties evoke images of sunshine. Some dishes are found in most Mediterranean countries but vary slightly from one country or even one town to another. Baklava is one of these dishes.
The Mediterranean's most famous dessert is deliciously and decadently syrupy and sweet. It consists of layers of rich pastry and crunchy nuts. A fragrant syrup adds moisture and sugary sweetness.
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.
The pastry used as base for the dessert is filo pastry. Melted butter is painted in between layers of pastry. Some people use oil as a more economical alternative. There are other regional variations too, such as the egg yolks that are added to the dough if you're in Albania. The Greeks famously prefer to have 33 layers of pastry. This number represents the number of years that Christ lived on earth.
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.
The dish is quite rich and therefore it's usually served as a special treat. Christians often enjoy it at Easter or for Christmas while Muslims serve it during Ramadan or at Eid. It's a very popular dessert at weddings too. It's most commonly served at room temperature and you can enjoy it as is or with some cream or ice cream on the side.
Recipes abound and you'll find them in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cookbooks or online. However, you don't need to make the delicious dessert from scratch. Simply visit a deli or restaurant specializing in the cuisines of Mediterranean or Central Asian countries and buy a few slices of sheer heaven which you can enjoy right there and then.
The Mediterranean's most famous dessert is deliciously and decadently syrupy and sweet. It consists of layers of rich pastry and crunchy nuts. A fragrant syrup adds moisture and sugary sweetness.
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.
The pastry used as base for the dessert is filo pastry. Melted butter is painted in between layers of pastry. Some people use oil as a more economical alternative. There are other regional variations too, such as the egg yolks that are added to the dough if you're in Albania. The Greeks famously prefer to have 33 layers of pastry. This number represents the number of years that Christ lived on earth.
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.
The dish is quite rich and therefore it's usually served as a special treat. Christians often enjoy it at Easter or for Christmas while Muslims serve it during Ramadan or at Eid. It's a very popular dessert at weddings too. It's most commonly served at room temperature and you can enjoy it as is or with some cream or ice cream on the side.
Recipes abound and you'll find them in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cookbooks or online. However, you don't need to make the delicious dessert from scratch. Simply visit a deli or restaurant specializing in the cuisines of Mediterranean or Central Asian countries and buy a few slices of sheer heaven which you can enjoy right there and then.
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