Baklava

This is a mash up of Uncle Jed's baklava recipe and one I found online.

Ingredients:

Nut filling:

• 1 lb walnuts or pistachios or a combination
• 2/3 c sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Assembly:

• 1 package phyllo
• 3/4 to 1 cup butter

Syrup:

• 1 c water
• 1 c sugar
• 1/4 c honey (could do more)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 Tb orange blossom water (could do more)

Grind the nuts and sugar until the nuts are mostly 1-2 mm or less.

Assemble the nuts and phyllo in a 9x13 pan.  Brush each sheet of phyllo with butter before adding the next one.

• 8 sheets phyllo
• 1 c nut mixture
• 4 sheets phyllo
• 1 c nut mixture
• 4 sheets phyllo
• 1 c nut mixture
• 4 sheets phyllo
• 1 c nut mixture
• 8 sheets phyllo

That's a total of 28 sheets of phyllo so maybe use more in the in between layers since they tend to disappear.  Or save the leftovers for something yummy.

Score into diamond shapes but do not cut all the way through the bottom.

Bake at 350 for 30-40 min or until golden brown on top.

While it's baking, combine the water, sugar, and honey and simmer until reduced and slightly thickened, then stir in the lemon juice and orange blossom water.  When the baklava comes out of the oven, pour the syrup over the top, making sure each crevice has some.  Cool fully overnight, then finish slicing and arrange them or eat them or whatever you're going to do.