Rose Baklava Cigars

 

Nuts about Nuts folks, this is for you.

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Baklava is basically a sugar rush, with each bite it’s like sweet ecstasy… ok maybe a little exaggeration there. But you get the point!

I originally found this recipe from Lazy Cat Kitchen, but made a few Nonna Lizzie edits:

  • Added rose syrup and maple syrup

  • Swapped out almonds for cashews due to my intolerances.

I’ve made this now 4 times, each time I get better at rolling the cigars up, so don’t get intimidated if its not perfect the first time!

Also, it is very important to find GOOD filo pastry. This is just so you can seperate each sheet properly -I’ve wasted so much pastry because I was overly frustrated and ended up throwing it away. But I now I save the filo and make a pie (post on this later!).

Anyways, this dessert is best served hot from the oven. A side of vanilla or white chocolate ice cream also works too ; )

Ingredients

Ingredients: Nuts, Syrup, Filo and Oranges.

Ingredients: Nuts, Syrup, Filo and Oranges.

  • Filo Pastry (I prefer Pampas… I’ve had many accidents with Borgs lol)

  • 1 cup Walnuts

  • 1 cup Cashews

  • 1 cup Pistachios

  • 1/4 cup Maple Syrup

  • 1/2 tablespoon of Rose Syrup

  • 2 1/2 Oranges

Condiments:

  • Butter, Salt and Olive Oil.

Method

  1. THAW (naturally defrost) the filo pastry for 3-4 hours before you cook. Or follow the instructions on the pack.

  2. BLITZ 1 cup walnuts, 1 cup cashews and 1 cup pistachios. Place in a bowl.

  3. ADD in the bowl 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/2 tablespoon of rose syrup, 1 tablespoon of water, juice of 1/2 an orange and a pinch of salt. Mix well.

  4. MELT a 1/4 block of butter and mix with oil. This will be the what you coat the filo pastry with.

  5. LAY out thawed filo pastry sheets (I used Pampas), and brush with melted butter and olive oil.

Baklava roll up set up!

Baklava roll up set up!

Bake for 15 mins before adding the orange glaze

Bake for 15 mins before adding the orange glaze

6. DIVIDE the baklava mix into 6 portions. Take one portion and make a ‘log’ around 10cm long and 3cm wide, place it on the left hand side of the pastry sheet. Fold the top and bottom of the pastry inwards to the middle, then roll 3 times. Make sure each roll you coat with the butter and oil.

7. CUT down the middle of the cigars and bake for 25-30 mins at 180 deg.

8.ORANGE GLAZE: Heat up juice from 2 oranges in a bowl with a splash of vanilla essence, simmer for 10 minutes.

9. BRUSH 1/2 of the Orange Glaze on the baklava logs after 15 mins of baking. Save the other half for when you’re serving.

Orange Glaze: Orange Squeeze & Vanilla Essence.

Orange Glaze: Orange Squeeze & Vanilla Essence.

Coat the Cigars with Orange Glaze after 15 mins, then bake for another 10 mins.

Coat the Cigars with Orange Glaze after 15 mins, then bake for another 10 mins.

Wait until the cigars are brown, that’s when you know they are ready!

Wait until the cigars are brown, that’s when you know they are ready!

10. BAKE the cigars for another 10 minutes and coat with the orange glaze immediately.

11. GARNISH with crushed pistachios and dried rose petals.

Garnish with Orange Glaze and Pistachios.

Garnish with Orange Glaze and Pistachios.

Crunchy and Sweet ‘Cigars’

Crunchy and Sweet ‘Cigars’

So delish Nacho wanted bite!

So delish Nacho wanted bite!

Tips:

  • Thaw filo pastry correctly as per packet. I can’t tell you how many times I have screwed this up and then wasted so many filo pastry sheets!

  • Optional to swap out maple syrup for honey.

  • Make sure to save some orange glaze to coat after you take them out of the oven.

  • Great with vanilla or white chocolate ice cream.

  • Best to cook and serve immediately (I tried to save some for the next day but it was soggy.)


 
Lizbeth PalComment