CHOCOLATE BAKLAVA

Steps:

• In a small skillet, melt butter over low heat.
• Let stand a few minutes.
• Skim off and discard white foam from top and do not use any milky residue that sinks to bottom.
• The clear yellow liquid is clarified butter.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a medium bowl, combine pecans, cinnamon, 1/4 cup sugar, and chocolate chips.
• Mix well.
• Open and stack phyllo sheets on a damp towel.
• Cover with a damp towel to prevent drying out.
• Brush a 12x18-inch sheet cake pan with clarified butter.
• Layer half of phyllo sheets (about 10 x 12) in pan, brushing each sheet with butter.
• Spread half of nut mixture evenly over layered phyllo sheets.
• Brush next phyllo sheet on both sides with butter, then place on top of nuts.
• Add 5 or 6 more phyllo sheets, brushing each sheet with butter.
• Top with the remaining nut mixture.
• Butter next phyllo sheet on both sides and place on top of the nuts.
• Top with remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter.
• Using a sharp knife, cut pastry into 50 diamond-shaped pieces.
• Do not remove pastry from pan.
• Brush top with remaining clarified butter.
• Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until golden.
• About 30 minutes before baklava is finished baking, in a small saucepan, combine remaining 1/2 cup sugar and orange juice.
• Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring often.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes.
• Stir in vanilla.
• Pour hot orange syrup over hot baklava as soon as it is removed from oven.
• Let stand until cool, 4 hours or overnight.
• When baklava is cool, drizzle Thin Chocolate Glaze on top.
• Allow glaze to set up before serving.
• Baklava may be kept, covered, 4 to 5 days at room temperature.
• Freeze for longer storage.
• To make the Thin Chocolate Glaze------------------.
• In a small glass bowl, combine chocolate, butter, and 1 tablespoon water.
• Heat in the microwave on High 30 to 45 seconds, or until melted and smooth when stirred.