that's right life, keep on getting worse (but it comes with recipes)

[cornerofmadness]

Ling came up with me on the couch after Kanda went out into the rain (I had to get something off the porch and he bolted...idiot). He was cleaning himself so I reached out and petted him. I felt something so I checked him close, since he had two ticks yesterday.

EIther he got this from the dog or mating rights fights but he has a puncture wound draining an abcess. He didn't like it much but I forced it to drain as much as I could. Sigh. I had no idea it was there. He wasn't limping. He wasn't bloody. Hell he was playing just moments before.

Guess who'll be going to the vet tomorrow. If he was human I could have fixed him but...so yeah, drained it and just wait and see. Provided I haven't floated away by then.

Tomorrow's the end of the semester party and since I had left over phyllo from something else I made (and you need to use it quick) I opted to get some nuts and make baklava. Hazelnuts were on sale!!. Sadly I overground them and the texture made things messy (really messy) but it's so good.

So... the family recipe (from the Greek side that married in) Typed by my dad.




READ ENTIRE RECEIPE BEFORE STARTING.

INGREDIENCE:
DRY
1 LB OF BUTTER
1 CP OF SUGAR
1TBLS FLOUR
1 LB OF GROUND WALNUTS
SHAKE OF CINNAMON
I PACKAGE PHILLO DOUGH

syrup
1 CP SUGAR
1 CP water
1/2 CP clover honey
juice of one lemon

HOW TO:

MELT BUTTER SLOWLY DO NOT BURN. WHEN IT BEGINS TO COOL SKIM THE WHITE FOAM FROM THE TOP. YES YOU MUST DO THIS.

MIX TOGETHER NUTS, FLOUR, SUGAR AND CINNAMON. SET ASIDE

JELLY ROLL PAN – SPREAD MELTED WARM BUTTER ON BOTTOM OF PAN LIGHTLY.

PHILLO - THAW IN FRIDGE. MUST BE KEPT COOL AND MOIST. KEEP COVERED WITH MOIST KITCHEN TOWEL WHEN NOT IN THE FRIDGE. WHEN BUTTER IS COOL ENOUGH, UNROLL PHILLO ONE SHEET AT A TIME. PLACE ON TOP OF BUTTER IN PAN. BRUSH TOP OF THIS PHILLO WITH BUTTER, PUT ANOTHER SHEET OF PHILLO ON TOP OF THIS BUTTERED ONE. CONTINUE UNTIL YOU HAVE 9 LAYERS OF PHILLO.

ADD NUT MIXTURE AND SPREAD EVENLY OVER THE PHILLO DOUGH. DRIZZLE WITH BUTTER AND TOP WITH PHILLO SHEET. CONTINUE AS ABOVE BUTTERING AND LAYERING FOR 9 MORE LAYERS.

CUT CRISSCROSS DIAGONALLY THROUGH ALL 18 LAYERS OF PHILLO DOUGH MAKING DIAMOND PATTERN. MAKE 1” WIDE OR LARGER .

BAKE 1 HOUR IN A PRE HEATED 350 DEG. OVEN

MAKE SYRUP ABOUT ½ HOUR AFTER YOU PLACE IN OVEN.

AFTER BAKING IS DONE, IMMEDIATELY POUR SYRUP OVER THE BAKLAVA. COOL BEFORE REMOVING FROM PAN.

GET A STURDY CARBOARD BOX AND MAIL TO DAD.



helpful notes. It doesn't have to be walnuts. they're traditional b ut you can use about any BUT they must be ground. This is better if there are two people so one can stay dry and hand over the phyllo dough (which was invented by sadists). If you're like me and alone then get the two hands working separate. Peel dough with one and butter with the other (I prefer to use my hands to do the buttering, they're a better tool). Be prepared to cuss a little making this one.





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Comments

[robertlyon.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming Ling is a cat, right? If so that's weird, my finance's cousin has a cat named Ling.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Ling is a cat. WHo knew it was a popular name...

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Your dad cracks me up sometimes.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

oh he thinks he's a wit

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Don't they all?

[robertlyon.livejournal.com]

I know!

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Yum! I like the little note from your dad at the end of the recipe. I'm so jealous of all the cool family recipes you've got from different cuisines. All I have is my nanna's Christmas pudding and Christmas cake recipes. That said, I'm very grateful to have those. Her Christmas pudding rocks. No funny comments.

[winters-queen.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm....baklava. There is a greek restaurant that is near work that makes divine baklava.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

the one granny that's still alive was a professional (though industrial) cook. we transcribed her best recipes onto a cd last year? year before? as christmas gifts.

i'd give christmas pudding a try though I'm not too sure about some of those traditional ingredients

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

the stuff is addictive

[raceulfson.livejournal.com]

I love that the instructions include "mail to Dad". My father would include that, as well.

My cats always seem much happier after the wound starts draining. One time we took the cat in for an abscess and spent $40 and got little yellow pills. Next day took the spouse in for an abscess and spent $180 and she got the same yellow pills. I told her, next time, I take you to the vet.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Dad is ever hopeful.

snort. Well when you put it like that. Ling won't be much happier however. I signed off on neutering him today

[raceulfson.livejournal.com]

Ed thinks that's a good idea. Greed has never been so glad he regenerates.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i suspect Ran Fan might be a touch disappointed too