Apple Baklava Roseswith Honey Saffron Syrup
The holy month of Ramadan is upon us here in sunny Dubai, and I’m sharing with you a special recipe that was submitted for a food competition last year, held by FoodeMag for the creative use of European bi-coloured apples. I decided on making something different that tasted between Baklava and a Strudel, and so these Apple Baklava Roses were born!
Now homemade Baklava making is quite common in this region, and bakeries everywhere make this sticky-sweet and flaky dessert. You’ll find all sorts of shapes, forms and fillings, with different regions boasting that theirs are the best. From Turkish, Syrian, Greek, Bosnian, Persian, Iraqi… you name it, someone has their beloved version of it. But they all share common ingredients of nuts and spices, wrapped in buttery phyllo, and drenched in a flavourful hot simple syrup.
But I love a good challenge, and opted for something different. So, apples and phyllo pastry transformed into lovely rose-shaped deliciousness with exotic flavours of cardamom, mixed nuts, apricot paste, and saffron simple syrup. It has a nice balance of sweet and tart by using both green and red apples, plus it really makes for a beautiful presentation.
Humbled to say that the recipe won 1st place with the magazine, and I was gifted with a wonderful stay at Taj Dubai. The experience included an awesome private cooking class and lunch by executive Chef Jitin Joshi at Bombay Brasserie. I learned so much that day and will be sharing that with you in another post!
I hope you try making this and enjoy a piece with a cup of your favourite black tea or turkish coffee for your Ramadan nights.
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