FOOD OF THE MONTH JAN’2024

Pakhlava is one of the most famous and exquisite dishes of Armenian and eastern cuisine. In Armenia, there are several widespread variations of pakhlava. The main secret of Armenian pakhlava is the right number of layers of dough – for example, Gavar pakhlava has 48 layers while Yerevan pakhlava features 28.

Paklava (Armenian baklava) features flaky, buttery layers of phyllo dough, a filling of cinnamon-spiced chopped walnuts, and an utterly addictive clove-infused syrup.

This version of easy baklava recipe from Armenian Cuisine can be considered the fastest , easiest and least time consuming. Unless you decide to make the puff pastry dough from scratch. Total prepping and baking time is about an hour. The result is very good looking, glossy and of course very delicious baklava filled with spiced nuts, meringue filling, topped with a good amount of honey.

Ingredients 

3 layers of ready puff pastry dough, roll out to the size of half sheet baking pan

2 cups toasted chopped nuts

5 Large egg, separated

3/4 Cup granulated white sugar

1/3  Tsp ground cinnamon

¼ Tsp ground clove

1 1/2 Cups honey, warmed for easy pouring

1 tbs orange blossom syrup

Directions 

Preheat the oven 400 F/200 C degrees

Bake one of the layers, refer to YouTube tutorial for more info

Whisk the egg whites and sugar until meringue consistency

Add cinnamon, clove powder and mix to combine, fold in the nuts with a spatula

Divide the filling into 2 portions

Place the first pastry dough layer in 18″ x 13″″ baking pan

Add half of the meringue mixture and spread evenly

Place baked (cooled down) layer on top and add the rest of the filling , spread and place the last layer

Brush the top with 3 egg yolks, use more if needed

Using a sharp knife slice into diamond shapes

Place whole almonds or walnuts on top of each diamond to decorate (optional)

Bake at 350° F / 180° C degrees preheated oven

35-40 minutes or until golden color

Remove from the oven and pour warmed honey over baklava

Article by July S.

References:
www.heghineh.com
www.mission-food.com
www.move2armenia.am
www.vas.am
www.allinnet.info