BOUREKAKIA (BAKLAVA 'CIGARS')

Bourekakia (Baklava 'cigars') image

Provided by evelynathens

Categories Dessert

Time 1h25m

Yield 42 pieces

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey (preferably, Greek Thyme)
3 cinnamon sticks
3 whole cloves
3 cups ground walnuts
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 egg whites, room temperature, beaten to consistency of mayonnaise
1 lb phyllo pastry
1 cup butter, melted
icing sugar

Steps:

For syrup: Cook all ingredients in saucepan over low heat, swirling pan occasionally, until sugar dissolves, then boil 15 minutes.
Cool completely; strain.
For filling: Combine walnuts, cinnamon and cloves.
Blend in 1 cup syrup and whites (mixture should not be too stiff; add up to ¼ cup additional syrup, if necessary.).
To assemble: Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cut phyllo into 5 x 8 inch strips.
Cover with plastic wrap and a damp towel until ready to use.
Take a strip and brush it lightly with melted butter.
Spread 1 heaping teaspoon of filling along narrow edge.
Fold in sides ½ inch toward center; brush sides lightly with butter; roll up tightly.
Repeat with remaining strips.
Arrange seam side down on baking sheet.
Brush with remaining butter.
(They can be frozen at this point ï¿½ increase baking time to 30-35 minutes if baking them frozen).
Bake until golden and crisp, 20-25 minutes.
Cool completely.
Dust lightly with powdered sugar.