Baklava

(from Mom)

1 lb walnuts, coarsely ground

1 lb almonds, coarsely ground

1 c sugar

2 TB cinnamon

1/2 tsp allspice

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground mace

1 lb butter, melted

1 lb filo pastry

whole cloves

honey syrup

Mix nuts with sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and mace. Brush 10 1/2 x 14 1/2 inch pan with butter. Place 6 sheets of filo in pan. Sprinkle thin layer of nut mix on top. Continue alternating 6 sheets of filo dough, butter and nut mix until the nuts are gone. Add 6-8 filo sheets on the top and top with butter.

Cut into vertical 1 inch strips, then cut diagonally to form diamond shapes. Put a whole clove in the center of each piece. Bake at 300 for 1 hour and 10 minutes. During the last 45 minutes, prepare the honey syrup.

Honey syrup:

3 c sugar

3 c water

1 tsp lemon juice

1 stick cinnamon

6 whole cloves

peel of 1 orange

1 1/2 c honey

1 tsp vanilla

Combine everything but vanilla. Boil 20-25 minutes. Add vanilla at the last minute. Remove from heat. Discard cinnamon stick, cloves and orange peel.

Remove baklava from the oven. Immediately pour all but 3/4 c of the syrup over baklava. Boil the 3/4 c for 5 minutes. Bake baklava 3 minutes longer. Pour remaining syrup on top. Cool at least 6 hours.