theveganpea

Before I became Vegan I used to really enjoy Baklava and I have always wished I could eat some again when I see other people digging into them…and so I decided to give vegan baklava a go. I know rose water is quite commonly used but I love orange and so I decided to add fresh orange juice and zest instead and it makes these yummy bites really refreshing whilst being sweet and crispy! A little tip is that I used salted pistachio nuts which really complemented the sweetness of the syrup.

Preparation time: 1 hour (including cooking time)

Ingredients (Makes 12 squares):

Syrup:

• 2 tbsp Agave
• 3 1/2 tbsp Caster Sugar
• 1 large Orange juiced
• 1 3/4 cups Water
• 1/2 tsp Lavender (optional)

Filling:

• 2 cups Walnuts
• 3/4 cup Almonds
• 1/2 cup shelled and salted Pistachios
• I/2 large Orange juiced
• 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp Cardamom

Pastry:

• 3 Filo Pastry sheets (48cm x 25 cm)
• 1/2 cup Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp Orange Zest

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius
2. In a saucepan, add all the ingredients for the syrup and allow to boil for 20 minutes or until the syrup has reduced by half its volume and then allow to fully cool
3. Place all the ingredients for the filling into a blender and blend until a fine crumble forms
4. Using your chosen baking dish (I used a  25 x 10 cm dish) cut your fill pastry into the correct size as the base area of the dish, aiming to create 8 layers (layers can be formed of scraps of filo pastry provided they are not on the top or bottom layer)
5. Grease the dish lightly with olive oil and then place four layers of fill pastry into the base with a brushing of olive oil between each one
6. Place the nut mixture into the dish on top of the filo layer and press down to make the nuts a firm compressed layer
7. Place the remaining four layers of fill pastry on top with a brushing of oil between each one
8. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into 12 pieces ensuring you cut down tot he bottom filo layer
9. Place the baklava in the oven for 30 minutes to bake
10. As soon as the baklava is baked, pour one third of the cooled syrup over the top of the baklava
11. Let the baklava cool for five minutes and then pour more syrup on tablespoon at a time depending on your sweet tooth
12. Grate orange zest onto the top of the baklava and run the knife around each piece again
13. Remove the baklava from the baking dish and eat warm
14. Enjoy my Little Peas!