Ingredients:

• 1 package (16 ounces) of phyllo dough
• 1 ½ cups of unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups of finely chopped nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, or a combination)
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• Optional: additional chopped nuts for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, mix together the chopped nuts and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Unroll the phyllo dough and place it on a clean surface. Cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
4. Take one sheet of phyllo dough and brush it with melted butter. Place it into the baking dish, allowing the excess dough to hang over the edges. Repeat this step with about 6-8 sheets of phyllo, brushing each layer with butter.
5. Sprinkle a generous amount of the nut mixture (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup) evenly over the phyllo dough in the baking dish.
6. Add another layer of phyllo dough on top of the nut mixture and brush it with butter. Repeat this layering process (phyllo, butter, nuts) until you’ve used up all the nut mixture. Make sure to reserve a few sheets of phyllo for the top layers.
7. For the final layers, use the reserved sheets of phyllo dough. Brush each sheet with melted butter as you layer them on top.
8. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes. Make sure to cut all the way through the layers.
9. Place the baklava in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
10. While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, honey, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until the syrup slightly thickens.
11. Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the hot syrup evenly over the cut lines. Allow the baklava to cool completely and soak up the syrup, usually for a few hours or overnight.
12. If desired, garnish the baklava with additional chopped nuts.

Baklava is best stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Enjoy this delightful sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee!

The post Baklava Recipe – Turkish Sweet appeared first on Recipe Ideas 101.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons rosewater (adjust to taste)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
• Chopped pistachios or other nuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water until it forms a smooth paste.
4. Gradually pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sugar syrup while stirring continuously.
5. Add the lemon juice to the mixture and continue stirring over low heat for about 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens and turns translucent.
6. Stir in the rosewater and add a few drops of food coloring if desired. Mix well to incorporate the flavor and color evenly.
7. Prepare a square or rectangular baking dish by greasing it lightly with oil or lining it with parchment paper.
8. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly. If desired, sprinkle chopped pistachios or other nuts over the top.
9. Set the dish aside at room temperature to cool and set for several hours or overnight.
10. Once the Turkish Delight has set, remove it from the dish and place it on a cutting board dusted with confectioners’ sugar.
11. Cut the Turkish Delight into small squares or rectangles using a sharp knife. Dust each piece with additional confectioners’ sugar to prevent sticking.
12. Store the Turkish Delight in an airtight container, separating the layers with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Turkish Delight is a delightful treat enjoyed by many. You can experiment with different flavours such as orange or lemon instead of rosewater, and add variations like pistachios or other nuts for added texture and flavour.

The post Turkish Delight – Lokum Recipe appeared first on Recipe Ideas 101.