Best Greek Baklava Dessert Recipe

This is the best baklava recipe that I have tried. Of course, it has been passed down to me by my mother, but it is one I want to share.

Ingredients for pastry:
1 pound phyllo pastry sheets
2 cups unsalted butter, melted (1 lb.)
1 pound blanched almonds, finely chopped
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
8x14x2 baking pan, and pastry brush

Ingredients for Syrup (see below):
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup honey
2 cups water
Juice of 1/2 lemon plus the rind

To make the pastry, combine almonds, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Place 8 sheets of phyllo pastry sheets, one at a time, in the bottom of 8x14x2 pan, brushing each sheet with melted butter before putting in pan. Sprinkle top sheet generously with some of the nut mixture and add 2 more buttered phyllo sheets on top. Sprinkle again with some of nut mixture. Continue adding buttered phyllo sheets, sprinkling every second sheet with nut mixture until all nut mixture is gone. Place remaining phyllo sheets on top, buttering each sheet. With a sharp knife, cut baklava into small diamond shaped pieces. Place a pan of water on the lowest shelf in a preheated 300 degree oven.
Bake baklava on middle shelf of oven for 3 hours, making sure that the water pan is always full. Remove from oven and pour cool syrup over pastry. This should make about 30-36 servings.

Syrup:
In a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup honey, 2 cups water, juice of 1/2 lemon, and the squeezed lemon rind. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 20 minutes. Remove lemon rind and cool. Remember, you will need to pour cool syrup over hot pastry.

This takes a little time and effort, but this is the most famous greek pastry, and you will want to know how to make it for special occasions. In Greece, such pastries are not really considered desserts. Fruit usually is served at the end of the meal, but coffee with a sweet pastry such as baklava is served to increase the appetite.

Best Creamy Banana Pudding

I got this recipe from Paula Deen, and it is definately the creamiest, most luscious banana pudding recipe I have ever tasted.

Ingredients:
2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
6 to 8 bananas, sliced
2 cups milk
1 (5-ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12-ounce) container frozen Cool Whip (lite)

Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass dish with 1 bag of cookies. Cut the bananas into round slices and spread across the top of the cookies.
In a separate bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend for about 2 minutes with a wire whisk. In another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk and mix using a handheld electric mixer until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

This recipe is best after 1-2 days when cookies soften a bit. So it is the perfect make-ahead dessert for a party.

Cheesy Brocolli Casserole

If you are looking for a quick way to serve a healthy vegetable side dish, try this cheesy brocolli bake. I make this all the time and we never get tired of it.

Ingredients:
1 head of brocolli
6 slices American Cheese
1 stick butter
1 roll of Ritz Crackers

Wash and boil the broccoli. While it is boiling add the roll of Ritz crackers to a plastic bag and crush into crumbs with a rolling pin. This is a fast and easy way to make the crumbs. Take 1/2 of the cooked broccoli and place in a 2 quart casserole dish that is safe for the oven. Cover with 3 slices of American cheese. Add the remaining broccoli and another layer of cheese. Combine the butter and cracker crumbs in a separate bowl and sprinkle on top of the casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the top is bubbling.

Pat's Cheesy Artichoke Dip

This is a great appetizer to serve your guests at your next party. Add Ritz Party Crackers for dipping and this one will definately make the rounds.

Ingredients
2 Cans Artichoke hearts – Drain and Mash
2 Cups Hellman’s Mayonaise
2 Cups Parmesan cheese
1 Teaspoon lemon juice (fresh)


Preparation:
Drain and mash Artichoke hearts. Add Mayonaise, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice.
Pour into baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees 30 minutes till starting to brown on top.

So easy and so delicious!