I answered your “Ask me anything” questions + Dan is helping me edit the video so it will get posted this weekend! BUT I promised I would reveal the winner today, so…..
KIM G. – who asked “Are you ever going to do hair again?” You my love are the winner! Email me at thethomehome[at]gmail[dot]com with your address and your Starbucks card will be on its way!
Remember when I mentioned in my blog goals for 2015 post the point of challenging myself? There are recipes on my radar that make me sweat just thinking about them. While delicious, I am convinced without even trying that attempting the recipe will leave me for dead. Suck me into a river of chocolate like Augustus Gloop – straight through the tubes and the oompa loompas will start parading around my kitchen, laughing at my attempt to try anything but the basics.
Well, it is week two into the New Year and I am so very proud to announce I am sticking to my goals. I challenged myself to bake something that always scared my pants off. One I always wanted to make, yet knew if I blew it would be a waste of money and well, this girl would rather pick up something on clearance at Target then to throw a desert into the garbage. I forged on, put my big girl baking pants on and made BAKLAVA.
Boom-shaka-baklava.
Layers upon layers of buttered filo pastry, drenched in butter, sprinkled with spiced pecan pieces, baked and then smothered in a sweet honey syrup. Are you licking your lips yet?
Thankfully, the amazing one and only Pioneer Woman created a recipe that not only was SO delicious, it was not intimidating at all. The only real challenge with this recipe is moving swiftly. My little fingers never grabbed filo pastry and brushed butter so fast I was literally creating a sweat stache. I may have had moments of sheer joy, shouting “OPA” and wanting to smash some plates in my kitchen when I pulled this mother load out of the oven but I contained myself.
Dan was kind of annoyed with me. We had family over that day for some kind of big game (HA – I can’t even remember what it was) and I just was so damn proud of myself. I felt like I did not need to do anything else that day, or week, or month. I did it. I conquered baklava – and we all enjoyed every last drop that day.
Chomp Chomp Chomp.
Recipe BARELY adapted from: Pioneer Woman
Only changed I made was using our favorite butter, Earth Balance Butter.
We were the lucky ones to try this delicious dessert, and yes it was DELICIOUS !! Baklava is one of my most favorite desserts. The sweetness was perfect and had you wanting more…you can make this again for this Nana anytime… 🙂
Oh it will defnitely be made again, that I am sure of! These cold days have us stuck inside the house snacking away!
I’ve made this recipe before. I love Baklava!!!!!!! Its easier then it looks. I always felt the same way, very intimidating! Looks amazing!!!
Yes! after I made it I couldn’t believe how afraid of it I was!
This is my favorite!!!! I want to try some 🙂
I’ll make baby gavin his own special batch! 🙂
Looks incredible. Could you pass on the recipe. One day soon I may conquer my fear of baking this.
Yes! Click on the link at the bottom of the post, it is pioneer woman’s recipe. It really was easy, just have to move fast with the filo!
Xoxo abby