I was first introduced to baklava when I was very little. In my hometown, Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia, we had just one pastry shop back then. This shop was owned by a Macedonian man. He came to my hometown after the second world war ended and my home town became his hometown, too. He was a very respected hardworking man. In his shop you could buy the best ice-cream ever! My favorite flavor was lemon. And in the winter he would make the winter ice-cream (marshmallow cream) topped with thin coating of chocolate swirled into an ice-cream cone. Unforgettable! There was a wide variety of pastries in his shop and among them baklava. Though the best piece of baklava I ever ate was in Istanbul, Turkey! As for the sweets made with both kinds of fillo dough, in my book, Syria wins the first place! And here it is, my nostalgic baklava!
When I cook I usually don't measure. So now that my babies are all grown up, I started to cook all their favorite foods with measuring cups, spoons, pencil, and a notebook by my side, recording every step for future references. Dinner table is that special place where all the family gathers to exchange events of the day, to share special moments, and to make important announcement. And if good home cooked food is served on that table, these gatherings become even more precious and memorable.