Baklava

 Though popular across the Balkans and Mediterranean, Albanian baklava has its unique twist.

Ingredients:

• 500g phyllo dough
• 400g walnuts, finely chopped
• 200g butter, melted
• 300g sugar
• 250ml water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Layer the phyllo: Brush each layer of phyllo dough with melted butter and layer half the sheets in a baking dish. Sprinkle chopped walnuts between layers.
2. Cut and bake: After layering, cut the baklava into diamond shapes. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes until golden.
3. Prepare syrup: Boil sugar, water, honey, and lemon juice for 10 minutes, then pour over the hot baklava. Let it soak for several hours before serving.