When Christmas approaches, it’s the perfect time to fill your home with the warm scents of baking and create treats that will delight your loved ones. Enter “Baklava Me Portokali,” a delicious twist on the classic baklava that infuses the traditional flavors with the bright and zesty notes of orange. This Greek Christmas baking recipe is sure to become a new holiday favorite, bringing a touch of Mediterranean sunshine to your festive table.
### Baklava Me Portokali (Orange Baklava)
**Ingredients:**
– 1 package phyllo dough
– 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
– 1 cup almonds, finely chopped
– 1 cup pistachios, finely chopped
– 1 cup sugar
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– Zest of 2 oranges
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup honey
– Juice of 1 orange
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set it aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the walnuts, almonds, pistachios, sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest. Mix well, ensuring the nuts are evenly coated with the sugar and spices.
3. Unroll the phyllo dough carefully and cover it with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out. Place one sheet of phyllo in the bottom of the prepared pan and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process with 7 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each layer with butter.
4. Sprinkle a generous layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo layers in the pan. Continue layering phyllo sheets, brushing each one with butter, and adding nut mixture in between until all the nut mixture is used.
5. Create a top layer with the remaining phyllo sheets, ensuring to brush each one with butter.
6. Using a sharp knife, carefully score the baklava into diamond or square shapes without cutting through the bottom layer.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.
8. While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine the water, honey, and orange juice over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
9. Once the baklava is done, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the hot syrup over the hot baklava, ensuring it covers all the cuts.
10. Allow the baklava to cool completely in the pan before serving, allowing the syrup to soak in and the flavors to meld together.
Enjoy this delightful Baklava Me Portokali with a steaming cup of coffee or tea for a memorable Greek-inspired Christmas treat that will impress your guests and leave a lasting impression. This recipe captures the essence of the holiday season with a citrusy twist that adds a refreshing touch to the traditional flavors of baklava. Treat your loved ones to a taste of the Mediterranean this Christmas with this irresistible orange-infused dessert.
