Baklava

Today I made one of the irresistible dessert Baklava for my family. This is second time I made this dessert at home. I am so happy to see that my parents loved this dessert.

Next time when you have get togethers serve this dessert to your friends and I am sure they will ask you the address of the store. I can guarantee that they will be surprised when you disclose the secret that you made this at home.

Baklava (Ottoman Turkish: باقلوا) is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It is characteristic of the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire and much of central and southwest Asia.
Source - wikipedia



Here is the recipe. Adapted from one of the cook books in my book shelf and web.

Ingredients:

1 cup roasted walnuts
1 cup blanched almonds
1/2 cup roasted pistachos
1/2 cup pecans (I used pecans because my daughter loves.)
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp clove powder
1 tsp rose water mixed in 3 tbsp of water -Rose water mix
Phyllo dough pastry sheets (30 sheets)
8 ounces of clarified butter/ghee (You can even use melted butter)

Syrup:

1 1/4 cup honey
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
orange/lemon rind (optional)
1 tsp rose water


Procedure:
Thaw phyllo as per the instructions in the box.
Preheat oven at 350 degrees F
In a food processor pulse all the nuts along with sugar and spices until finely chopped. Do not make it like powder.
Divide the nut mixture evenly in two bowls so it will be easy to distribute the mixture in pans.
Trim the phyllo to fit the bottom of the 8*8 metal pan. Brush the pan with clarified butter and lay one sheet of phyllo and brush butter. Repeat this step 9 more times for a total of 10 sheets. Top with the 1/3 of nut mixture(1 bowl) spray rose water mix using spray bottle or brush. Layer 6 more sheets of phyllo brushing each layer with butter. Top with 1/3 of the nut mixture and spray rose water mix. Layer 6 more sheets of phyllo brushing each layer with butter. now the final layer with 8 more sheets of phyllo.
(Note: same steps should be repeated for both the pans)




Brush each layer with butter generously. Carefully cut into 20 square pieces and bake for 30 - 35 mts untill golden brown.


Syrup:

Combine water, honey, sugar, cinnamon and orange rind in a sauce pan on medium heat. Stirring occasionally boil for 10 to 12 mts.

Once baklava is at room temperature pour hot syrup evenly over the top of baklava and keep it aside for 4 to 5 hours.



Mouth watering baklava is ready to be served.

Eggless carrot cake with Cream cheese frosting

I have been making lot of cakes recently. But my mom couldn't eat any of the cakes because all cakes are made with eggs. To please my mom I made eggless carrot cake this weekend. Here is the recipe for the same.




Source : web

Ingredients:

5/3 cup ( 1 2/3) of all purpose flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup raisins
1tbsp flax seed powder ( soak in 4 tbsp warm water)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup yogurt
2 cups of grated carrot
1tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp of salt
2/3 cup of oil

Cream cheese frosting:

8 oz cream cheese(I used fat free)
5 tbsp butter at room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups of confectioner sugar




Procedure:

Preheat oven at 370F.

Mix flax seed powder in warm water and mix well. Keep it aside for 10 mts. (Alternate to Eggs)

Sift all dry ingredients(Flour, baking powder,baking soda, spices and salt). Add sugar, nuts and carrot and mix well.

Now in another bowl using electric mixer whisk all wet ingredients ( oil, yogurt, orange juice, vanilla extract and flax seed powder mixture) till well combined. ( I mixed for 2 mts)

Now pour the liquids into the dry mixture and fold the mixture gently till well combined.

Pour the batter into greased 8" cake pan and bake for 30 to 40 mts or till the tooth pick comes back clean.

Remove it from oven and cool it completely on a rack.

Tip: always use parchment paper on the bottom of the pan for the cake to come out clean. And do not remove the cake immediately from the pan . Let the cake cool for 10 mts in the pan and remove it from pan and cool on rack completely

Frosting:

Using electric mixer beat cream cheese, butter,vanilla extract until combined. Gradually add sugar and whisk till it reaches consistency and sweetness. ( I used 2 cups of confectioner sugar. make sure you sift sugar after measuring.)


Now decorate the cooled cake with cream cheese frosting. Yummy moist carrot cake is ready to be served. My parents loved the cake.

Fire Roasted Avocado and Mango salsa

Summer means sports and this summer is more fun watching soccer World cup. Today's final we had get together with our friends. I made salsa and dessert and my mom made entree for our get together. Here is the recipe for the two types of Salsa which I made.




Ingredients:

4 Roma Tomatoes
Green Chilies (As per spice level)
1 big onion
5 garlic cloves
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
fresh lime juice
red chili powder (if you want too spicy)
2 tsp of olive oil
1 Avocado
1/2 mango
salt as per taste
1 bell pepper
3 jalapenos

Procedure:

In a non stick pan place 3 cut tomatoes, chilies, bell pepper, garlic and diced onions. Drizzle olive oil and broil in oven for 8 to 10 mts unitl tomatoes charred. Remove and cool it on room temperature.



Meanwhile chop avocado and mix with lemon juice before oxidization starts and keep it one bowl. chop remaining tomato and mango and keep it aside.

Once the roasted vegetables are at room temperature pulse it(except bell pepper) in a blender until well combined and slightly chunky. Make two half of this mixture and keep it in two bowls.
Finely chop roasted bell pepper. (note: I roasted bell pepper separately due to the space constraints of my pan)
In one bowl add chopped avocado,half chopped bell pepper and half of the chopped tomato. In another half add chopped mango, remaining chopped bell pepper and remaining half of the chopped tomato. Mix well and adjust spices as per your taste and garnish with chopped cilantro.
Tasty salsa ready to be served. I am sure all your friends will love this like my friends.