The eastern part of the Mediterranean is synonymous with sunshine and great food. Some dishes are common in quite a few countries. For instance, hummus and falafel are not only popular in Israel but also in neighboring Lebanon, even if Lebanon is culturally and politically a world away. Another dish that is found in different guises from Greece to Iran is baklava.
The most famous sweet Mediterranean treat is a delectably sweet and syrupy dish. It's basically a concoction of buttery pastry layered with chopped nuts. This is cut into shapes and baked before it's drenched in syrup.
Most people think of the dessert as a Greek dish. While there are different theories about its origins, however, it seems to have been perfected in the kitchens of the Topkapi Palace during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Today it's enjoyed in Turkey and many of the countries that used to be part of the empire, including the Balkan states. It's even enjoyed in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Afghanistan and Iran.
The pastry used as base for the dessert is filo pastry. Melted butter is painted in between layers of pastry. Some people use oil as a more economical alternative. There are other regional variations too, such as the egg yolks that are added to the dough if you're in Albania. The Greeks famously prefer to have 33 layers of pastry. This number represents the number of years that Christ lived on earth.
The next ingredient you'll need is chopped nuts. These can be walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts or even almonds. Mix them with a bit of sugar and, if you want, some spices like cloves or cinnamon. Sprinkle them in between the layers of pastry. Some people only use one layer of nuts with pastry beneath and on top while others use alternating layers.
There are even regional variations in terms of the shapes in which the dough is cut before baking. Most common are rectangular or lozenge shapes but some people cut the pastry in triangles. When the pan comes out of the oven, the syrup is poured over and allowed to sink in through all the layers. This syrup is often flavored with rose water, orange flower water or honey.
Because the sweet treat is so rich, it's usually made only for special occasions. It's a popular wedding dessert but is often served to end the evening meal during the month of Ramadan or for Eid to mark the end of the fasting period too. Christians often serve it at Christmas or Easter. You can enjoy it hot or cold but it's most commonly served at room temperature. If you want, include a bit of ice cream or cream. A cup of strong coffee goes perfectly with the syrupy sweetness.
You'll find many different recipes online or in cookbooks specializing in Mediterranean or Central Asian cuisine. While the process of making the dessert from scratch isn't too complicated, it is quite time consuming. An easier option is to find a restaurant or deli that sells cuisine from Greece, Turkey, other countries along the eastern Mediterranean or Central Asia and buy ready-made slices for instant gratification.
The most famous sweet Mediterranean treat is a delectably sweet and syrupy dish. It's basically a concoction of buttery pastry layered with chopped nuts. This is cut into shapes and baked before it's drenched in syrup.
Most people think of the dessert as a Greek dish. While there are different theories about its origins, however, it seems to have been perfected in the kitchens of the Topkapi Palace during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Today it's enjoyed in Turkey and many of the countries that used to be part of the empire, including the Balkan states. It's even enjoyed in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Afghanistan and Iran.
The pastry used as base for the dessert is filo pastry. Melted butter is painted in between layers of pastry. Some people use oil as a more economical alternative. There are other regional variations too, such as the egg yolks that are added to the dough if you're in Albania. The Greeks famously prefer to have 33 layers of pastry. This number represents the number of years that Christ lived on earth.
The next ingredient you'll need is chopped nuts. These can be walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts or even almonds. Mix them with a bit of sugar and, if you want, some spices like cloves or cinnamon. Sprinkle them in between the layers of pastry. Some people only use one layer of nuts with pastry beneath and on top while others use alternating layers.
There are even regional variations in terms of the shapes in which the dough is cut before baking. Most common are rectangular or lozenge shapes but some people cut the pastry in triangles. When the pan comes out of the oven, the syrup is poured over and allowed to sink in through all the layers. This syrup is often flavored with rose water, orange flower water or honey.
Because the sweet treat is so rich, it's usually made only for special occasions. It's a popular wedding dessert but is often served to end the evening meal during the month of Ramadan or for Eid to mark the end of the fasting period too. Christians often serve it at Christmas or Easter. You can enjoy it hot or cold but it's most commonly served at room temperature. If you want, include a bit of ice cream or cream. A cup of strong coffee goes perfectly with the syrupy sweetness.
You'll find many different recipes online or in cookbooks specializing in Mediterranean or Central Asian cuisine. While the process of making the dessert from scratch isn't too complicated, it is quite time consuming. An easier option is to find a restaurant or deli that sells cuisine from Greece, Turkey, other countries along the eastern Mediterranean or Central Asia and buy ready-made slices for instant gratification.
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