BAKLAVA

MAKES 16 PREP 25 MINS COOK 30 MINS

Preheat oven to moderate, 180°C. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups walnuts, ½ cup pistachios and ½ cup almonds (all finely chopped) with 1 tbsp caster sugar and 1 tsp each ground cinnamon and mixed spice. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 125g butter. Layer 4 sheets filo pastry on a board, brush each with butter. Trim to fit 18 x 28cm slice pan. Arrange in pan. Spread over 1/ of 3 filling. Repeat, finishing with a pastry layer. Trim pastry. Brush with butter. Score pastry into triangles with sharp knife. Bake 25-30 mins until crisp.

SYRUP In a medium saucepan, stir 1 ¼ cups water, ½ cup caster sugar, ½ cup honey, 2 strips lemon zest and 5 whole cloves on low until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil, simmer on low 10 mins until slightly thickened. Remove zest and cloves. Cool slightly. Pour syrup over hot slice. Cool. Cut into diamonds to serve.