Baklava Butter
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 4:40PM in Breakfast, Brunch, Christmas, Dips, holidays, recipes, snack, vegetarian I adore Baklava. I’ve never met one I didn’t like! But as far as making it, I’m not sure I have the patience, with all the layering that needs to be done. And then, after making it, I’d want to eat all of it! It’s so sweet and nutty--completely addicting. How could I turn it away, with all of those nuts, the sweet honey, and the crunchy, paper thin layers of phyllo dough?
I’ve found a way to get all of my favorite things from Baklava, without all of the work. How does it taste? Nutty, crunchy, sweet--but not too sweet, and there’s the telltale signature spice, cinnamon. I don’t see how I can go any amount of time without this in my kitchen.
The other day, while out shopping with Billy, I stopped to check out the cooking mags. I have an addiction, ok? I know, you do, too! The rack was filled with comfort food related issues for slow cookers (of which I don’t have) and casseroles (Billy strongly dislikes casseroles of almost any kind). I saw an issue of Cuisine at Home, which I’ve only ever picked up once or twice. But skimming through it, I saw quite a few promising recipes.
I didn’t even pick the magazine up to read it until a few days later when we got some free time. This recipe for Baklava Butter nearly jumped off the page while screaming my name. It’s true! I went out almost right away and got the nuts to make it.
Speaking of nuts, I know they can be expensive. Trader Joe’s has very reasonable prices on nuts if you’re near one. Whole Foods allows you to buy just the amount you need in the bulk foods aisle. If these aren’t options for you, try your nearest natural foods store. They’ll likely have a bulk food section. If none of these options are going to happen for you, then pick up the nuts you can. I’m sure this spread would be just as fantastic if you can only get one or two types of the nuts.
Don’t even get me started on the health benefits of nuts! By now, you should already know how fabulous they are for you, but if you don’t, check out this site. Every single nut in this recipe is so good for you! And it’s sweetened only with honey. Best part? You don’t have to mess around with blanching and skinning the nuts. Plus, it’s a no bake, quickie snack. So make some!
Baklava Butter
Makes just over 2 cups.
Adapted from Cuisine at Home.
1 cup almonds
2/3 cup walnuts
2/3 cup cashews
2/3 cup shelled pistachios
1/2 cup honey (Use organic! Cheap honey is full of nasty hidden chemicals and HFCS.)
1/2 cup water
Couple pinches kosher salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pulse all of the ingredients in a food processor about 20-30 times. you still want to have some of the nutty texture, so don't overdo it.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Note: All of the nuts I used were roasted, not raw. You can certainly use raw if you'd like, and combined with honey, can be a raw spread for you to enjoy! If any of the nuts are salted, taste for seasoning before you add some salt.
So simple!
- Serve this with your favorite bread, bagel, roll, etc.
- Billy chose to swirl some into some Greek yogurt and said it was amazing. A must try!
Elle | Print Article | Share Article | Email Article | 21 Comments tagged Baklava, almonds, butter, cashews, cinnamon, honey, new england, no bake, nuts, pistachios, recipe, walnuts
Reader Comments (21)
YUM
I have all the ingredients! I am so making this! I've just started making my own nut butters recently but I think I'm addicted. :)
My jaw just dropped seeing this in my google reader.
Oh my, this looks deliciously addictive!
elle what a fabulous idea!
Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod!
Fun idea! This would be great over baked plums, apples or peaches too.
This sounds like da bombe! I'm going to spread it on apple and pear slices to avoid any guilty feelings that may surface!
Thanks for sharing your find. I love baklava so I'm sure this is wonderful!
OMG.....can't wait to try this. My Lebanese grandmother would be spinning in her grave at the thought of something so simple (and mixing the nuts together, lol) I have an urge to try this on pancakes!
Or inside crepes!
Felling particularly computer illiterate today; is there a way to Pin this on my Pinterest page? Don't use big words, please. Been sniffing cleaning chemicals all day :-)
Can't wait to try this, Elle. It looks phenomenal. I also tire of the phyllo layering - I'm a terrible greek. :)
What an interesting take on baklava. It certainly saves a lot of work!
This sounds delicious, but my question is about the bread in the first picture! Did you make that? And if so what's your recipe?
i can't even put into words how enticing this is! baklava ranks among my favorite desserts, and this idea is ingenious!
You've outdone yourself! I will absolutely be trying this...once I've been to the bulk section of the supermarket for cheaper nuts. Sounds absolutely glorious.
::::Drool:::: I love baklava but am too lazy to make it. This sounds like the perfect treat to satisfy my cravings! Plus...I already have a bazillion nuts...I order them from nutsonline.com!
Baklavas are my favourate It looks phenomenal. I also tire of the phyllo layering...
Oh my! I've never heard of such a thing. I love all the ideas that spring to mind as far as uses and applications. I'm a HUGE lover of all things nuts so this is right up my alley. Thanks Elle!
I made the Cuisine at Home version (looks like it's nearly the same, but heavier on the almonds). I was a little underwhelmed by the lack of complex flavor, but then I spread it on bread, topped it with brie and apples, and toasted it. Wow, amazing!
I love baklava, it's actually not too bad to make....you can cheat and only butter some of the dough layers :P but this sounds like a great idea! Delicious in fact.