Baklava

Crispy. Sweet. Nutty. Moreish (and moorish lol). A delicious dessert/sweet snack :)

For about 18 squares you need
1 pack filo pastry
100g butter, melted
350g mixed nuts (use pistachios for authenticity but if that's too expensive then a mix of almonds and pistachios also works well)
300ml water
500g caster sugar
juice half lemon and 4 thick shavings of lemon rind
2 tbsp rose water
2 tbsp orange flower water
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Begin by making the syrup by placing the sugar, lemon juice, lemon rind and water in a pan and heating gently. Once the sugar has dissolved boil rapidly for 5 mins. Remove from the heat and add the rose and orange flower water. Leave to cool.

Meanwhile roughly chop the nuts and mix in the cinnamon. Brush the filo sheets with butter. Lay 3 in the bottom of a baking tin (I use a small swiss roll tin) then cover with the chopped nuts and cinnamon. Top with the remaining 3 sheets of pastry and fold over the excess. Score into bite sized pieces. Bake at 160 degrees for about 30 mins. Once out of the oven strain and pour over the syrup and leave to soak in. Delicious with a strong coffee. Or greek yogurt. Or on its own...