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The origins of Baklava are not really all that well documented, but most people will agree that the dessert is considered Greek today.  Baklava’s distinctive feature is that it”s made with honey instead of refined sugar.

The pecan tree is the only major nut tree variety that grows in North America naturally, and it is also considered the most valuable. Pecan is an Algonquin word meaning, “all nuts requiring a stone to crack.

Related State Legislature: Texas State Health Nut
The pecan was designated the state nut by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001.” - From the Texas Almanac

Related State Legislature: Texas State Health Nut
“The Act no. 82-17,adopted in 1982, made the pecan the Alabama State Nut.

Baklava

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 cups chopped pecans
• 2 8-ounce cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Glaze:
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Unroll one can of dough into two long rectangles.
3. Place in ungreased 9×13 pan, press over bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides to form the crust. Firmly press perforations to seal.
4. Bake at 350 °F for 5 minutes. Remove from oven.
5. In large bowl, combine pecans, 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Mix well.
6. Spoon nut mixture evenly over partially baked crust.
7. Unroll remaining can of dough into a two long rectangles, and place over nut mixture, press out to edges of pan. With tip of sharp knife, score the dough with 5 lengthwise and 7 diagonal markings to form diamond-shaped pieces.
8. In a small saucepan, combine all glaze ingredients. Bring to a boil.
9. Spoon half of the glaze evenly over dough.
10. Bake at 350 ° F for an additional 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
11. Spoon remaining glaze evenly over hot baklava.
12. Cool 1 hour or wait until completely cooled, then refrigerate 30 minutes, or until thoroughly chilled.
13. Cut into diamond-shaped pieces and serve.

Recipe courtesy of Cindy Wise, Texas Pecan Growers Association, a non-profit organization that assists growers, and educates the public.

Tasty Baklava for You

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Pecans are the only major nut tree variety that grows in North America naturally, and it is also considered the most valuable.  Pecan is an Algonquin word meaning, “all nuts requiring a stone to crack.”

Respective Legislature:

State Health Nut: The pecan was designated the state nut by the 77th Legislature in 2001.”
From the Texas Almanac
“The Act no. 82-17,adopted in 1982, made the pecan the Alabama State Nut

Pecan Soup

Cooking and Preparation Time: 45 Minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecan halves
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 stick butter
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 2 tablespoons pureed tomato
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup water
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

1. Grind pecans with broth in blender.
2. Melt butter in large sauce pan, add onions and cook five minutes over medium heat until soft.
3. Add garlic and cook one minute.
4. Slowly add nut/broth mixture, tomato puree and cornstarch.
5. Cook for 30 minutes, uncovered, on low heat.
6. Beat egg yolk into cream and slowly whisk into soup; do not boil after this point.
7. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, and serve.

About this Recipe:

Recipe courtesy of Cindy Wise, Texas Pecan Growers Association, a non-profit organization that assists growers, and educates the public.

Delicious Pecan Treats for You

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Pecans are both the state nut of Alabama, and the state tree of Texas.  These nuts are also an important agricultural product in many US states, the top five of which are: Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, according to the College of Agriculture, New Mexico State University.

These Swedish Nuts are a wonderful holiday snack food, and they make a perfect recipe for a classroom state report project.

Swedish Nuts

Ingredients

• 1 egg white, slightly beaten
• 2 cups pecan or walnut halves
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom

Directions

1. Heat oven to 300F°.
3. Grease 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.
4. In medium bowl, mix egg white and pecan halves until pecans are coated and sticky.

In small bowl, mix sugar and cardamom; sprinkle over pecans. Stir until pecans are completely coated. Spread pecans in a single layer in pan.

Bake about 30 minutes or until toasted. Cool completely or serve slightly warm. Store tightly covered up to 3 weeks.

New twist: Ground cinnamon can be substituted for the cardamom; both spices are perfect for the holidays.

More Delicious Treats

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