Pistachio Baklava with Orange-Cardamom Syrup and Dried Lavender Recipe
Read more at: http://www.somanyrecipes.com/2010/03/pistachio-baklava-with-orange-cardamom.html
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups plus 8 tablespoons sugar, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 2 cups shelled pistachios, toasted
- 1 cup whole almonds, toasted
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 30 14x9-inch sheets fresh phyllo pastry or frozen, thawed (from one 16-ounce package)
- Dried Lavender Flowers (optional)
Directions
- Simmer 1 3/4 cups sugar and orange zest and orange juice in saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil over medium heat until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 8 minutes. (This really foamed up on me and might have gone over had I not been watching so be careful). Add cardamom. Cool syrup.
- Place nuts and 2 tablespoons sugar in processor. Using on/off turns, process until most of nuts are finely ground (the largest pieces should be the size of small peas). Mix nuts, 6 tablespoons sugar, and cinnamon in medium bowl.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish with some of melted butter. Place 1 phyllo sheet on bottom of dish. Brush lightly with melted butter. Repeat 9 more times with phyllo and melted butter. Sprinkle half of pistachio mixture (about 1 1/2 cups) evenly over phyllo. Place 1 phyllo sheet over nuts; brush lightly with butter. Repeat 9 more times with phyllo sheets and melted butter. Sprinkle remaining pistachio mixture evenly over. Place 1 phyllo sheet atop nuts; brush with butter. Repeat 9 more times with phyllo sheets and melted butter.
- Using sharp knife, cut diagonally through top phyllo layer from top left corner to bottom right corner. Cut top layer of phyllo into 1-inch-wide rows parallel to both sides of first cut. Turn pan and cut rows about 2 1/4 inches wide, forming diamond pattern.
- Bake baklava until golden brown and crisp, 50 to 55 minutes. Drizzle syrup evenly over hot baklava. Cool in pan on rack. Recut baklava along lines all the way through layers. DO AHEAD Baklava can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
- Garnish with dried lavender flowers, if desired.
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Nutrition Facts
| Amount Per Serving | %DV |
|---|---|
| Serving Size 38g | |
| Recipe makes 30 servings | |
| Calories 147 | |
| Calories from Fat 78 | 53% |
| Total Fat 9.04g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat 4.2g | 17% |
| Trans Fat 0.0g | |
| Cholesterol 16mg | 5% |
| Sodium 1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 83mg | 2% |
| Total Carbs 16.5g | 4% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.8g | 3% |
| Sugars 14.85g | 10% |
| Protein 1.46g | 2% |
