Arab cuisine is rich in a variety of dishes and also in delicious desserts that often include syrup and nuts such as almonds or walnuts. These are fairly elaborate preparations that result in incredible desserts with amazing flavor, texture, and aroma, where fine doughs like puff pastry or the so-called phyllo dough play a starring role. Today, we propose making Arab pastries with pistachios, a recipe that, while it involves several steps, is well worth...
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In a saucepan, combine the lemon juice and water. Heat over medium heat and let it boil for 10 minutes.
Remove the syrup from the heat and add the orange blossom water and honey, mixing everything together. Set aside.
Melt the butter in a skillet and add the saffron. Once the butter is melted, remove it from the heat.
On a large, greased baking sheet, place a layer of phyllo dough. Brush it with the melted butter and sprinkle with the chopped almonds and walnuts.
Cover with another layer of phyllo dough and brush again with the melted butter.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven, let the pastries cool slightly, and cut them into squares about 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide.
Drizzle the pastries with the syrup and sprinkle with the ground pistachios.
Ensure the phyllo dough is covered with a damp cloth while working to prevent it from drying out.
Use a sharp knife to cut the pastries into squares for clean edges.
Allow the syrup to cool slightly before drizzling it over the pastries to avoid making them soggy.
Can I use store-bought phyllo dough?
Yes, store-bought phyllo dough works perfectly for this recipe and saves time.
Can I substitute the orange blossom water?
If you don't have orange blossom water, you can use rose water as a substitute, but it will slightly alter the flavor.
How should I store the pastries?
Store the pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Unsalted butter is recommended to maintain the dessert's sweetness, but if using salted butter, reduce the salt in the recipe.
Can I make the syrup in advance?
Yes, the syrup can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Warm it slightly before using.
