Recipe

Baklava (low Fat Low Cal Version) Recipe

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Ingredients

1 Stick cinnamon
4 Whole cloves
1 lb Sweet butter; melted
1 ts Ground cloves
1 Lemon rind
2 1/2 c Water
1 1/2 lb Commercial filo sheets
2 ts Ground cinnamon
1 1/4 lb Walnuts & blanched almonds sliced medium fine
2 tb Honey
3 1/2 c Granulated sugar

Directions

Step #1 mix 3 c sugar, honey, whole lemon rind, the water, & whole spices in a saucepan & bring to boil.
Step #2 Lower the heat & let simmer for 15 mins, then remove the lemon peel & spices & cool.
Step #3 Meanwhile, remaining 1/2 c sugar, in a large bowl, mix the nuts, & ground spices & set aside.
Step #4 Lay filo sheets flat, cover with waxed paper & then a damp towel.
Step #5 Keep covered except when removing to assemble the baklava.
Step #6 Count 8 filo sheets, fold, cover & put in the fridge to reserve for the top.
Step #7 Using a large pastry brush, butter an 11 1/2-inch by 15 1/2-inch by 3-inch baking pan.
Step #8 Lay a filo sheet on the bottom of the pan, brush with warm butter, and repeat using 8 sheets.
Step #9 Scoop up a handful of the nut-spice mixture & Sprinkle top it over the top filo sheet inside the pan.
Step #10 Lay on 3 or more filo sheets, brushing each with butter, & Sprinkle top again with the nut mixture.
Step #11 Continue until all the nuts & filo are used.
Step #12 (The important things here are to butter each filo & spread the nuts evenly.
Step #13 The way to do the latter is to rotate the pan several times during the procedure.
Step #14 ) Now you can remove the reserved sheets from the refrigerator & spread over the top, brushing on each sheet.
Step #15 Using a long, very sharp knife, score the baklava from top to bottom into diamond shapes planning in advance the size desired.
Step #16 Be sure the knife touches the bottom of the pan as you cut.
Step #17 Heat the remaining butter to sizzling & pour over the top.
Step #18 Bake in a 300F degree oven for 1 1/4 hrs or until golden chestnut in color & flaky.
Step #19 Remove from the oven (in the pan) to a rack, & spoon the cooled syrup over the entire pastry.
Step #20 Cool in the pan, then serve each piece individually.
Step #21 --.
Enjoy the BAKLAVA (LOW FAT LOW CAL VERSION) recipe