Traditional Baklava Recipe From Helen Zachario

Ingredients

• For the filling
• 8 cups (2 pounds) walnuts
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoons ground cloves
• For the pastry
• 1 pound (4 sticks) butter, melted
• 1 pound fresh or frozen (and thawed) phyllo dough
• 2 cups water
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ¼ cup honey

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse the walnuts with the sugar, cinnamon and cloves until finely chopped. Set aside.
2. Cut the phyllo so it fits into 12 x 16-inch baking pan, reserving 10 of the cut sheets for later. Brush the bottom of the baking pan with melted butter and cover with a sheet of phyllo; cover with another sheet and brush with butter. Continue until there are eight layers.
3. Sprinkle the top layer of phy%o with 1½ cups of the nut filling. Cover with one sheet of phyllo, brush with butter and cover with a second sheet of phyllo. Sprinkle 1½ cups filling over the top. Repeat until all of the filling is used up. 4.Cover with the remaining phyllo, one sheet at time, buttering each as you go. With a sharp knife, cut the baklava into 1½-inch strips lengthwise, then diagonally about 1½ inches apart. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until golden-brown.
4. Meanwhile, in a sauce pan, bring the water, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon stick to to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, remove #om heat and stir in the honey. Let cool.
5. While the baklava is still hot, carefully drizzle the cooled syrup over the top. Let the baklava sit, covered, at room temperature for at least one day before serving. The baklava can be refrigerated for up to three days.