Sesame Baklava (Baklavas Sousamenios)

By: Hallee
On: 30 Mar 2010

The following is based on this recipe. Serving this delightful and easy version of baklava – a layered sweet made with thin phyllo sheets – is an old custom on Christmas Eve in Thrace, and other areas of Greece. Made with olive oil, the pastry meets Greek Orthodox Lenten-type fasting guidelines, and it’s a delicious alternative to other versions of baklava, especially for those who avoid nuts.

12 sheets of phyllo dough
1 ⅔ to 2 ½ cups sesame seeds
¾ cup of extra virgin olive oil
ground cinnamon (optional)
———-
FOR THE SYRUP
2 cups of water
2 cups of sugar
3 slices of lemon peel (about 1 inch x ¼ inch)

This recipe works best in a non-stick or oiled deep baking or roasting pan measuring approximately 14.5 x 10.5 inches (about the size of a medium lasagna pan).
Pastry brush
measuring cups/spoons
sharp knife
skillet in which to toast sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 350° degrees F (about 178° degrees C).

Place sesame seeds in pan over medium high heat. Stirring or shaking constantly, lightly toast the seeds.

Place 3 sheets of phyllo in the bottom of the pan. Trim or fold in to fit. Brush the top sheet with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil, paying attention to edges.

Sprinkle evenly with ⅓ – ½ cup of toasted sesame seeds. Sprinkle with a very little cinnamon (small pinch) if desired.

Place 2 sheets of phyllo on top, brush the top sheet with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil, and sprinkle with ⅓ – ½ cup of sesame seeds (and optional cinnamon). Repeat until 3 sheets of phyllo remain for the top.

Place 3 remaining phyllo sheets on top, brush with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil, and sprinkle with ⅓ – ½ cup of sesame seeds. Score the top without cutting all the way through to the bottom into 8 pieces (down the middle and into 4 parts down the length of the pan).

Bake on the rack just below the middle of the oven at 350° degrees F (about 178° degrees C) for about 40 minutes, until top is nicely golden.

When the pastry is almost finished, make the syrup. Combine water, sugar, and lemon peel in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to make sure the sugar dissolves completely. Boil for 6-7 minutes, remove from heat, and set aside.

As soon as the baklava comes out of the oven, remove lemon peel from syrup and pour evenly over the pastry, making sure to get the edges.

Caution: The pan will be hot and the syrup may spatter and boil. Take necessary care.

32 small pieces

	~*~
Very low in sugar High in calcium High in vitamin A
	~*~

In Greek: μπακλαβάς σουσαμένιος, pronounced bahk-lah-VAHS soo-sah-MEN-yohs

When pouring the syrup over the baklava, the sesame seeds on top may get displaced. As soon as the syrup is in the pan, gently redistribute them evenly, taking care not to disturb the phyllo. When the syrup has been absorbed and cools, the seeds will remain in place.

With a sharp knife, cut the pastry all the way through to the bottom of pan, and set aside to give the syrup time to absorb and for the baklava to come to room temperature – 3-4 hours. When cooled, cut each of the 8 large pieces into 4 small pieces, either in strips or squares, to make 32 pieces.

I would love to hear any feedback about this recipe. Did you make it? Did you enjoy it? Did you make any adjustments to it?

Hallee

I’m so grateful for your visit, today.
You would bless me if you added me to your feed reader or subscribed via email.
You can also become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. I would love to see more of you!