Turkish Pistachio Baklava Recipe

Turkish Pistachio Baklava Recipe

For the Baklava:

• 1 package of phyllo dough (16 oz), thawed
• 2 cups of unsalted pistachios, finely chopped
• 1 cup of unsalted butter, melted

For the Sugar Syrup:

• 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 1 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon of rose or orange blossom water (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the Sugar Syrup:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice. Stir well.

2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until it thickens slightly.

3. Remove the syrup from heat and add rose or orange blossom water if desired. Let it cool completely. The syrup should be at room temperature when you pour it over the baklava.

Prepare the Pistachio Filling:

1. In a bowl, combine the finely chopped pistachios. Set aside.

Assemble the Baklava:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.

2. Unroll the thawed phyllo dough on a clean, dry surface. Cover it with a damp kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out.

3. Place one sheet of phyllo dough into the prepared baking dish. Brush it generously with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering and buttering each sheet until you’ve used about half of the phyllo sheets.

4. Sprinkle a generous layer of the chopped pistachios evenly over the buttered phyllo layers.

5. Continue layering and buttering the remaining phyllo sheets until you run out. Make sure to butter the top sheet generously.

6. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes. Be sure to cut all the way through the layers.

7. Bake the baklava in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and crispy.

8. Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the cooled sugar syrup evenly over the hot baklava. Make sure to cover all the pieces.

9. Allow the baklava to cool completely at room temperature. This will take a few hours.

10. Once cooled and the syrup is absorbed, your Turkish Pistachio Baklava is ready to be enjoyed!

Baklava is a delightful and sweet treat, and this recipe will bring the delicious flavors of Turkish baklava right to your table. Enjoy!