September 26,

Baklava Day

Today is a day dedicated to the sweet flaky dessert called baklava. The origins of baklava are a little hard to trace as it has been claimed by many ethnic groups. There is strong evidence that its current form was developed in the imperial kitchens of the Topkapi Palace based on a Central Asian Turkic tradition of layered breads. There is evidence of baklava type dessert in the ancient Greek culture as well. One of the oldest known recipes for a sort of proto-baklava is found in a Chinese cookbook written in 1330.  The dessert is very popular in the Balkans, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Syria, India, Greece  and my stomach! 

Cheers! or

ΥΓΕΙΑ  (Yamas) Greek

Կէնաձդ (Genstzt) Armenian

Baklava Martini

As always I perfer to drink my dessert, and this one is delicious!

Ingredients:

.5 oz Amaretto

1.5 oz. Gin

.5 oz. Creme de Cacao

.75 oz. Simple Syrup

Pinch of Cinnamon

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker

Shake till..It's all Shook up, uh huh!

Strain into a martini glass

"Gather 'round my friends and lets spin us a tale
of bourbon and whiskey, of lager and ale
of new friends and old, of acts both daring and bold
of women of class and balls made of brass
and if we should die before the night ends
at least we went out drinking with friends"