Allia Saydjari

My mother taught me how to bake and I have spent endless hours with her in the kitchen especially during the holidays. I am particularly fond of dessert but there is one dessert my grandmother taught me to make. Baklava, those sweet squares of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.

This dish has many names (laham b’ajeen, lahmajun, lahmajoun) and forms (flat or folded pockets). But it’s easily recognized by its unique flavors: tart and savory.