Baklava Inspired Sundaes Food

BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Remove the thawed phyllo from the fridge 1 hour before using. When working with the phyllo dough, only remove the sheets you immediately need, keeping the other sheets covered in plastic wrap, then a damp cloth.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) of the butter in a small saucepan.
• Toss together the chopped pecans and cinnamon in a bowl. Set aside.
• Thoroughly butter a rectangular baking pan with the melted butter. Make sure the sheets of phyllo will generally fit in the pan. (If they're a little bigger, that's okay; if they're much bigger, just trim them with a sharp knife.)
• Butter the top sheet of phyllo with melted butter, then grab it and the unbuttered sheet below it. Flip the sheets over and set them in the pan buttered-side down. Press them lightly into the pan. Repeat this twice more, so that you have 6 sheets of phyllo in the pan, 3 of the sheets buttered.
• Sprinkle on enough pecans to make a single layer. Butter 2 sheets of phyllo and place them on top of the pecans buttered-sides down. Add more pecans, then 2 more buttered phyllo sheets. Repeat this a couple more times, or until you're out of pecans. Top with 4 more buttered phyllo sheets, buttered-sides down. Butter the top of the final sheet.
• Cut a diagonal diamond pattern in the baklava using a very sharp knife. Bake until very golden brown, about 45 minutes.
• While the baklava is baking, combine the honey, sugar, vanilla, 1/2 cup water and the remaining 1 stick butter in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
• When you remove the baklava from the oven, drizzle half of the honey mixture evenly all over the top. Allow it to sit and absorb for a minute, then drizzle on a little more until you think it's thoroughly moistened. You'll likely have some of the honey mixture leftover, which you can drink with a straw. Just kidding.
• Allow the baklava to cool, uncovered, for several hours. Once cool and sticky and divine, carefully remove from the pan and serve with coffee (or give as gifts!).

HALLE'S MINI SUNDAES

Steps:

• For the chocolate cups: Add the milk chocolate chips to a heatproof bowl. Add the white chocolate chips to a second heatproof bowl. Divide the coconut oil between the two bowls and microwave separately in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until completely smooth, about 1 minute total. Set aside and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Using a pastry brush, paint the entire inside of three cupcake liners with the melted white chocolate; don't be shy-really slather it on. Transfer to a plate. Do the same with the melted milk chocolate and three more cupcake liners. Place on the plate, next to the white chocolate cups, and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 10 minutes. Remove the cups and repeat for a second layer. Return the plate to the refrigerator until the chocolate is completely set, at least 30 minutes.
• Remove the cups from the refrigerator and carefully peel the cupcake liners away from the chocolate. Use immediately or return to the fridge until ready to use.
• For the strawberry shortcake sundaes: Scoop 3 tablespoon-size scoops strawberry ice cream into each white chocolate cup. Top each with the shortcake, strawberry sauce, whipped cream and red sprinkles.
• For the toffee coffee sundaes: Scoop 3 tablespoon-size scoops coffee ice cream into each milk chocolate cup. Top each with the toffee bits, pecans, caramel sauce, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

BAKLAVA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and cloves; set aside. Brush a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with some of the butter. Unroll 1 package phyllo dough; cut stack into a 10-1/2x9-in. rectangle. Repeat with remaining phyllo. Discard scraps., Line bottom of prepared pan with 2 sheets of phyllo dough (sheets will overlap slightly). Brush with butter. Repeat layers 14 times. (Keep dough covered with a damp towel until ready to use to prevent it from drying out.) , Spread with 2 cups walnut mixture. Top with 5 layers of phyllo dough, brushing with butter between each sheet. Spread with remaining walnut mixture. Top with 1 layer of phyllo dough; brush with butter. Repeat 14 times. Cut into 2-1/2-in. squares; cut each square in half diagonally. Brush remaining butter over top. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown., In a large saucepan, bring syrup ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and discard zest; cool to lukewarm. Pour syrup over warm baklava.

SPICY GINGER SUNDAES WITH FIVE-SPICE CRISPS

Steps:

• Divide the ice cream between two bowls or sundae glasses. Top with the ginger caramel and coconut chips. Add the crisps to the edge of each bowl or glass and finish each with a dollop of whipped cream. Dive in.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and sambal and cook for a minute to release the flavor. Add the coconut sugar, cream and salt. Cook while whisking gently until thick and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Use warm or cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix the sugar and five-spice powder together in a small bowl.
• Add the tortillas to a sheet pan and brush the tops with half of the melted butter. Sprinkle the tortillas with half of the sugar mixture. Flip and repeat with the remaining butter and sugar mixture.
• Bake until very crisp and golden, 15 to 17 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Break apart and eat as a snack or with your favorite ice cream.

BAKLAVA CUPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Arrange the pistachios, walnuts, and almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Let nuts cool slightly and add to a food processor along with the lemon zest, 3 tablespoons of sugar, butter, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla and pulse to combine.
• Place mini fillo shells in wells of 2 mini cupcake pans. Add 1 teaspoon of the nut mixture into each shell. Bake until filling is hot, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat add the water, 1/4 cup sugar and honey and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until reduced and slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour 1 teaspoon syrup into each cup and allow it to soak in, then repeat with another teaspoon. Refrigerate at least 5 hours, or overnight.

BAKLAVA SUNDAE WITH GRILLED PEACHES

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium temperature (about 350°F).
• Halve and pit the peaches.
• When the grill is heated, place peaches cut side down on the grate and grill until they have grill marks and are slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
• Rotate peaches 90 degrees and continue grilling until the skin shrivels a bit and the flesh becomes tender, about 3 minutes more.
• Remove from the grill.
• To assemble the sundaes, place one grilled peach half in each serving dish and top with a large scoop of ice cream.
• Crumble one piece of Baklava over the top and, if desired, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the ouzo.
• Serve immediately.