There's nothing like eating food you grew up with to remind you of home. I was only really introduced to Greek desserts when I met my husband but I have grown to love the sweetness and simplicity of Greek sweets. He craves these sweet delights frequently and I have been challenged to make them just like his mother does.
Acquiring a good Greek desserts recipe book was therefore a priority during our courtship. I became familiar with Vefa Alexiadou on Greek morning television and realised that she was to Greece what Martha Stewart is to America or Delia Smith is to Britain. I have tried her recipes for over a decade now and am always pleased with the results.
Galaktoboureko is a deliciously sweet and comforting treat. It consists of a custard layer sandwiched between layers of buttered phyllo sheets and soaked in a lemony syrup after baking. My mother-in-law always makes this for us whenever we visit her in Greece. It is one of my husband's favourite desserts.
It is made in a large Pyrex rectangular glass tray and is ideal for dinner parties, although my husband is quite comfortable eating the whole trayful over a few days!
There are just a few basic ingredients needed. The custard is smooth and creamy, every mouthful a delightfully comforting experience within the syrupy phyllo pastry.
I have cut the galaktoboureko into a circular piece here for a modern presentation of a very traditional Greek dessert. My husband's only complaint about this is that his favourite piece is η γωνία (the corner piece)!
Recipe:
You will need:
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