European Recipes: Greek Recipes: Apple Baklava

Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.03

       Title: APPLE BAKLAVA
Categories: Greek, Candies
       Yield: 12 servings

       6    Golden Delicious apples
       6    Granny Smith apples
       2 tb Unsalted butter
       6 tb Sugar
     1/2 ts Cinnamon
            Nut Mixture:
   2 1/2 c Walnuts, chopped
     1/2 c Sugar
     1/2 ts Grated lemon peel
     1/2 ts Cinnamon
      24    Sheets phyllo dough
     1/2 c Unsalted butter, melted
       2 tb Plain dry bread crumbs
       2 tb Honey

   Prep time: 1 hour plus cooling    Baking time: 35 to
   40 minutes Apples give a distinctive twist to this
   traditional Greek dessert. Sauteing them first to let
   the water evaporate ensures a crisp crust. APPLE
   LAYER: Peel and slice apples. Melt butter in Dutch
   oven over high heat. Add apples, sugar and cinnamon;
   cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender
   and juices are evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool. NUT
   MIXTURE: Combine all ingredients in small bowl.
   Preheat oven to 400^F. Trim phyllo sheets to 13x9-inch
   rectangles; cover with plastic wrap. Brush 13x9-inch
   metal baking pan with butter. Place 1 phyllo sheet in
   pan and brush with some of the melted butter (keep
   remaining phyllo covered). Layer 5 more phyllo sheets
   on top, brushing each with butter. Spread 2 cups nut
   mixture on top and repeat layering with 6 more phyllo
   sheets and butter. Spread apple mixture on top; repeat
   layering with 6 more phyllo sheets and butter.
   Sprinkle remaining nut mixture on top; sprinkle with
   bread crumbs and layer with the 6 remaining phyllo
   sheets and butter. With sharp knife, cut lengthwise
   through pastry and filling into 1 1/2 inch-wide
   strips, then cut diagonally at 2-inch intervals to
   make diamonds. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden.
   Drizzle honey on top and bake 5 minutes more. Cool in
   pan on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature
   with whipped or ice cream. Makes 12 servings.