Masala Chai Baklava
Classical baklava holds the geometry: layered filo, nut filling, sugar syrup. This version trades the usual rose or orange-blossom syrup for one infused with three breakfast tea bags, a knob of fresh ginger, and a generous pinch of cardamom seeds - the spice profile of masala chai distilled into a sugar bath. The nuts shift too: a mix of toasted almond and cashew (not pistachio) carries the chai notes better. The pastry rolls into tight little cylinders rather than the conventional layered sheets, packed onto a tray, and bakes hot until deeply golden. The cooled syrup goes over in two pours - half first, rest after 5 minutes - so the soak penetrates to the core.
Desserts