Festive Baklava

HomeClinics & ProgramsELLICSR KitchenFestive Baklava

Skill Level	Easy

Preparation Time	20 minutes	Total Time	35 minutes
Servings	20	Cost Per Serving	$0.55

1 package	Phyllo Pastry
3 tbsp	Butter or Olive Oil
1	Pear or Apple, grated
1/4 cup	Dried Cranberries
1/4 cup	Pistachios, crushed
1/2 cup	Cooked Chestnuts, finely chopped
2 tbsp	Honey
1 tsp	Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp	Ground Nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Brush 1 sheet of phyllo with melted butter or olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Continue to brush and layer another 5 sheets of phyllo.
In a medium sauté pan over medium heat add the chopped chestnuts, pistachios and ground spices. Warm them up, but stir them every once and a while.
Drizzle in the honey and cranberries and continue to mix. Remove from the heat and stir into a bowl with the grated pear.
Carefully spread ricotta mixture over top of the phyllo.
Prepare another 6 layers of phyllo, layering each sheet with melted butter or oil and place over top of the filling.
Brush top layer with remaining butter or olive oil.
Slice into even squares using a sharp knife.
Place in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Top with the remaining crushed pistachio and another drizzle of honey.

PDF link to nutrition facts table for festive baklava

Substituting ricotta cheese for the thickened cream used in the traditional recipe reduces the saturated fat and increases the protein in this dessert.
Substituting olive oil for butter replaces the saturated fat with heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Using a brush to apply the oil to the phyllo pastry also helps to control the amount of oil that is used.
Compared to other nuts, pistachios have the fewest calories per ounce. They are also rich in antioxidants such as lutein, beta-carotene, and vitamin E. Several studies have shown that pistachios may help lower LDL (“lousy”) cholesterol.