Baklava

Happy Birthday DH! May the new year be as rich and fulfilling!

Mighty pleased, for I battled sheets that tore on me and sheets that stuck on me, yes I'm referring to the much feared, phyllo dough and I prevailed. Behold, the delicious baklava!

Some things to note:

Thawing phyllo dough in the microwave for 60 seconds instead of in the refrigerator or the kitchen, is a great idea.

Go ahead and put that plastic wrapping over the waiting dough and cover it with a damp tea towel (a few drops of rose water in the water does not hurt).

I ran out of the 8 ounces of clarified butter towards the end and resorted to oil. Next time, will have more handy!

I cut the baklava before putting it in the oven (the thought of cutting through fragile, crisp sheets was unnerving).

I see a lot of syrup still waiting to be absorbed. Next time, will try pouring it as soon as the pastry comes out of the oven.

Other flavourings i have read include, cloves and cardamom. And lemon zest and juice for the syrup.

Dried Fruit and Nut Cookies with Masala Chai

Dried Fruit and Nut Cookies with Masala Chai (Spiced Tea)

Not a fan of the Plum Cake so made its cousin, Dried Fruit and Nut Cookies. Served with mulled tea, to warm up the insides on a cold Boxing Day afternoon (yes, this post is two days too late).

My take on Dried Fruit and Nut Cookies:

1. omitted the egg and they did just fine.

2. season appropriate substitutions: dried sweetened cranberries for candied cherries (i couldn't find them) and dark rum for dry sherry.

My take on Chai.

1. up the sugar to 3 tablespoons, that's when the tea is begining to be sweet.

Merry Christmas!

Palappam with Vegetable Stew and Kadala Curry: our breakfast on this wet, cold Christmas morning.