Israeli Baklava

Baklava is a delicacy found throughout the Middle Eastern world. This sweet pastry comes in a multitude of varieties.

Pastry

 * 1 lb phyllo pastry sheet
 * 1½ cups melted unsweetend butter
 * 2 cups walnuts, pistachio nuts or hazelnuts, roughly chopped

Syrup

 * 2 cups water
 * 2 cups sugar
 * 1 tsp lemon juice

Pastry

 * 1) Place sheets of phyllo pastry in a 13x9x2 inch pan, brushing every other sheet evenly with butter.
 * 2) When ten or twelve sheets are in place, combine pistachios and spread ⅓ of this over the sheet.
 * 3) Place another five or six buttered sheets of phyllo on top of the pistachios
 * 4) Repeat this process two more times, alternating pistachios with five or six sheets of buttered phyllo.
 * 5) Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
 * 6) With a sharp knife, cut baklava into square shaped pieces.
 * 7) Bake for 30 minutes.
 * 8) Reduce the temperature to 300°F (150°C) and continue to bake for one hour.

Syrup

 * 1) In a saucepan combine water, sugar and lemon juice.
 * 2) Heat mixture until a drop forms when placed into a cup of cold water, then simmer for an additional 20 minutes.
 * 3) When the baklava is baked, pour syrup over it.