Baklava

Method

1. 1

   Syrup first

   We prepare the syrup first. Heat the water with the sugar, add the orange peels and cinnamon stick. Once it boils and the sugar is dissolved, remove from the heat and add the honey. Allow the syrup to cool.

2. 2

   The nut mixture

   Add the sugar, breadcrumbs, walnuts, cinnamon and clove powder to a bowl and stir well.

3. 3

   The base

   Butter the bottom of the baking tray. Place the first three sheets of filo over the tray one by one, spreading melted butter on each.

4. 4

   Layer six times

   Sprinkle about a sixth of the mixture on top of the filo with a spoon. Cover with the next filo sheet, spreading butter first and then some of the filling. Repeat this — filo, butter, nuts — six times.

5. 5

   Close and trim

   You should have 3 buttered sheets down, 6 layers of filo, butter and nuts, and finally 3 more sheets on top, again covered in butter. Cut the excess leaves to the dimensions of the tray.

6. 6

   Cut, bake, soak

   Cut the baklava diagonally into diamonds before it goes in the oven. Bake in a preheated fan oven at 180°C for about 45–50 minutes. Once it comes out hot, pour the syrup evenly over the top.