The Language of Baklava

Author Essay

Recipes from The Language of BalklavaSubsistence TabboulehFor when everything is falling apart and there’s no time to cook.1 cup cracked wheat (bulgur, fine-grain)2 small bunches parsley, minced2 medium cucumbers, peeled and chopped3 medium tomatoes, chopped2 tablespoons olive oilJuice of 1 small lemonSalt and pepper to tasteWash the bulgur and let it soak in water to cover for half-hour. Drain thoroughly and add the vegetables. Add the oil, lemon, salt and pepper. Mix well. Cover, and let the tabbouleh marinate in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.Makes 6 to 8 servings.Bud’s Royal MjeddrahClean the lentils carefully, and everyone will love you.Half-cup brown lentils, cleaned, boiled and drained (conserve the boiling liquid from the lentils)1 cup cooked rice1 onion, finely chopped3 garlic cloves, mashed3 tablespoons olive oil1 beef bouillon cubeHalf-teaspoon cuminSalt and pepper to tasteIn a mixing bowl, combine the lentils and rice; set aside. In a saucepan, fry the onion and garlic in olive oil until golden brown. Add a little of the coking liquid from the lentils, then mix in the bouillon, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir the onion mixture into the lentils and rice. Serve with a nice cucumber and some mint yogurt on the side.Makes 4 to 6 servings.Poetic BaklavaFor when you need to serenade someone.Syrup2 cups sugar1 cup waterSplash of lemon juice1 teaspoon orange blossom water1 pound walnuts1 cup sugar1 teaspoon cinnamon1 box phyllo dough, defrosted1 pound butter, clarified (melted and with the top layer skimmed off)In a sauce pan, boil all the syrup ingredients until the mixture turns clear. Cover and set aside in the refrigerator to cool.In a food processor, grind together the walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon to a fine, sandy consistency. Set aside.Carefully unfold the phyllo dough, making sure not to crack or tear it. Keep it covered with a piece of waxed paper to help prevent it from drying out.Butter the bottom of a shallow baking pan. You can also use a cookie sheet that has at least an inch-high lip. Carefully unpeel the first sheet of phyllo and lay it flat and smooth in the bottom of the pan. Brush with the clarified butter. Continue layering sheets of phyllo dough and brushing each sheet with butter until you’ve finished half the dough.Spread the nuts and sugar mixture over the dough.Place another sheet of dough on the mixture and butter it. Continue layering and buttering dough until you’ve used up the rest.Using a sharp knife, carefully cut through the baklava in long, straight lines to form diamonds or squares (about two inches long).Bake for a bout 50 minutes at 300 degrees or until golden brown. Pour the cooled syrup over the hot baklava. Eat when ready.