Food Item: Baklava
Baklava is a delicious dessert of cultural significance in many communities, including my own. It is a sweet pastry made with layers of filo dough, nuts, and syrup. Here are the instructions to prepare and share Baklava in the class:
Ingredients:
- 1 package of filo dough
- 2 cups of finely chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pistachios)
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Thaw the filo dough according to the package instructions. Handle it carefully as it is delicate and can dry out quickly.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped nuts with sugar and set it aside. This will be the nut filling for the Baklava.
4. Brush the bottom of a baking dish with melted butter to prevent sticking.
5. Take a sheet of filo dough and place it in the baking dish. Brush the sheet with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering the filo dough sheets and brushing each layer with butter until you have used half of the sheets.
6. Spread the nut filling evenly over the layered filo dough.
7. Continue layering the remaining filo dough sheets on top of the nut filling, brushing each layer with melted butter as before.
8. Once all the filo dough sheets are used, carefully cut the Baklava into diamond or square-shaped pieces using a sharp knife.
9. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the Baklava turns golden brown.
10. While the Baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the syrup thickens slightly.
11. When the Baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
12. Pour the warm syrup over the cooled Baklava, allowing it to soak into the layers.
13. Let the Baklava sit for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld and the syrup to fully absorb.
14. Once the Baklava has cooled completely and the syrup is absorbed, it is ready to be shared in the class!
Enjoy the delicious Baklava, appreciating its cultural significance and the effort put into making this traditional dessert. Share the Baklava with your classmates, and you can discuss its taste, texture, and the experience of preparing it.