Baklava and flowers

The flowers in the pictures were done at a craft workshop by my daughter during the holidays. It is made with clay, play dough homemade. Make the dough into a ball while it is pliable then press silk flowers and decorate with colourful ribbons and thread.

Baklava

1 pound nuts finely chopped

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 pound phyllo

1 pound butter melted and warm

syrup

3 cup sugar

2 cup water

1 stick cinnamon

1/2 tsp lemon juice

2 to 3 tbsp honey

Combine all ingredients except honey and boil for 20 minutes till it is a pourable syrup consistency, remove from heat and add honey.

Combine nuts, sugar and spices. Place 6 phyllo sheets in a buttered 13 x 9 inch baking pan, brush each sheet with butter. Sprinkle a thin layer of nut mixture over the phyllo. Cover with 4 buttered phyllo sheets. Continue altering phyllo, butter and nut mixture until all nuts are used. Top with 8 buttered phyllo sheets. Cut into diamonds or squares.

Bake at 325F for 30 minutes, lower oven to 300F and bake 30 minutes until golden brown. Pour warm syrup over hot baklava. Let stand for several hours or overnight. Store in air-tight container in a cool place, it will keep for several weeks.

I like using cashews because it is our favourite nut, can use any type of nuts in this recipe. The syrup can be adjusted I usually use only half the syrup recipe, cook till the sugar dissolves.

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