Be a real Barako with Baklava

A popular Baklava dish from Turkey I just made is something really inviting. You will man up like a real barako (Filipino slang for 100% man) because of this nutty sweet feat that can give you a biteful uplifting feeling.

Where to buy ingredients:

*Phyllo/filo sheets: In US, you can find in any Walmart branches. In Philippines, Santis branches has it.

*Rosewater: Any Indian/Middle Eastern/Halal stores. In Philippines, Assad Mini Mart in Makati and Manila. 

Have yourself yummmmy layers of Baklava

The preparation of Baklava requires you the prevention of drying up the phyllo sheets. To do this, you must put a moist towel covering the pastry while you prepare for baking.

Ingredients:
1 pack phyllo/filo pastry
300ml rosewater
3pcs egg
600g chopped nuts (equal parts of walnuts, candied pili nuts, cashew, peanuts)
400g brown sugar
1cup honey
3T lemon juice
2 pcs cinnamon sticks
1T cinnamon powder

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 160C degrees. Brush phyllo sheet with egg wash (beaten eggs). Put a sheet on top of the brushed to make pastry thicker. Repeat the method to the rest of the sheets, set aside. Mix nuts, 1/2T  of cinnamon powder, and 100g brown sugar. Moisten the mixture with rosewater. Make a syrup by glazing lemon juice, honey, cinnamon stick, cinnamon powder, rosewater, water and the remaining brown sugar. Get  and rub one of the brushed pastry with a made glazing. Lay enough amount of nut mixture over the brushed sheet. Lay another brushed pastry on top. Rub again with glazing. Do this procedure until the stacks is 1.5-inch thick. Bake for 15-18mins. Remove from oven. Let it cool and cut the baklava into a diamond shape. Serve.

Mango-Coconut Crepe a.k.a. Darar in 2012

Among the desserts I made, this crepe with fillings of caramelized young coconut and fresh ripe mango is my personal favorite because of its simplicity and tropical taste. The dish is also called Darar of Halal food that is mainly created for our Islam brothers and sisters.

Cherish your own delectable wrap with each bite

To give a little aromatic flick, I added cinnamon. If you don't have young coconut, you can also use old meat grated, provided, it is sweetened and still has the moisture factor. Additionally, it is important to use all-purpose flour for a smoother texture of the wrap.

Darar

Ingredients:

Crepe:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1cup cornstarch
60ml vegetable oil
2pcs eggs
6 cups water

Filling:
1 pc young coconut, grated
1 cup brown sugar
2 pcs ripe mango, thinly sliced
1 pinch cinnamon powder

Optional:
food color of choice
honey

Methods:
In a bowl, put flour, oil, cornstarch, and egg. Slowly add in water and whisk mixture until runny consistency is achieved. Mix in food color. Strain the mixture. Create a crepe in a flat pan over low heat. In another pan, sweeten coconut with sugar and cinnamon. Using the crepe, roll in the caramelized coconut and sliced mango. Serve with honey.