Baklava with nuts and figs

Baklava with Nuts and Figs

Discover the authentic flavor of Turkish dessert with this baklava recipe featuring nuts and figs. This delicious dessert, with its flaky layers and rich filling, is perfect for any occasion and impressive in appearance. Moreover, it is a quick and simple dessert to make that will delight both your family and friends.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:
- 100 g walnuts
- 150 g hazelnuts
- 200 g figs (either fresh or dried)
- 5 g cinnamon
- 1 package of phyllo dough (about 400 g)
- 200 g butter (melted)
- 250 g sugar (plus 50 g for the filling)
- 200 ml water (plus 60 ml for the filling)
- juice of 1 lemon

Preparation:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by chopping the walnuts and hazelnuts. You can use a knife or a food processor to get small pieces, but not too finely ground, to maintain texture. If using dried figs, make sure to soak them in warm water for 30 minutes before chopping.

2. The filling: In a bowl, mix the chopped walnuts, hazelnuts, figs, 50 g sugar, cinnamon, and 60 ml water. This mixture will give the baklava a delicious and aromatic flavor.

3. The phyllo dough: Cut the phyllo sheets in half to achieve the desired size for your baking dish (usually a 30x20 cm dish is ideal). Grease the dish with a little melted butter to prevent sticking.

4. Assembling the baklava: Place one sheet of phyllo in the dish and brush it with butter. Continue adding 6 sheets, each brushed with butter, to create a crispy base.

5. Adding the filling: Spread half of the nut and fig filling over the phyllo sheets. Then, cover with another 6 sheets of phyllo, each brushed with butter. Add the remaining filling and cover again with another 6 sheets brushed with butter.

6. Cutting and baking: Use a sharp knife to cut the baklava into rolls or squares. This step is essential as it will allow the syrup to soak better into the dessert. After cutting, pour the melted butter over the cuts to caramelize beautifully during baking.

7. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the baklava for 45 minutes or until golden and crispy.

8. The syrup: While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine 200 g sugar, 200 ml water, and the juice of one lemon. Boil the mixture for 10 minutes until the sugar completely dissolves and the syrup thickens slightly.

9. Finishing: Once the baklava is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then, pour the warm syrup over the baklava, ensuring that each piece is well covered. Let the dessert absorb the syrup for a few hours; ideally, leave it overnight for perfect texture.

10. Serving: Serve the baklava with nuts and figs cold, as a savory dessert after a hearty meal. You can add a spoonful of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious contrast of temperatures and flavors.

Variation suggestion: Replace the figs with dried apricots or dates to experiment with different flavors. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg to the filling for an extra layer of flavor.

Baklava with nuts and figs is a dessert that will bring a touch of magic from Turkish cuisine directly to your table. By preparing it with love, you will achieve a brilliant result that will please everyone!