Honeyed Phyllo Stacks with Pistachios, spiced Fruit & Yogurt

Direction

To prepare the phyllo squares:

Heat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment or Silpat.

Stack the phyllo sheets on the countertop and cover loosely with a barely damp towel. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Put the oil in another small bowl. Remove a sheet of phyllo and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the phyllo dough with the olive oil and sprinkle lightly with the cinnamon sugar. Top with another sheet of phyllo, oil, and cinnamon sugar. Repeat with all of the sheets, but when you get to the top layer, brush it lightly with oil. Use kitchen shears to snip the layered dough into 12 squares or rectangles of equal size.

Bake the phyllo dough for 7 to 8 minutes or until it is golden-brown and crispy. Let it cool completely. The prepared phyllo squares can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

To make the pistachio and fruit mix:

In a small saucepan, heat the orange zest and orange juice, sugar, and syrup until the juice boils and the syrup is dissolves. Stir in the golden raisins and set the pan aside.

Mix the pistachios with the dates. Stir in the cardamom. Stir the spiced pistachios and dates into the pan with the syrup and raisins. Set aside the pistachio and fruit mix to marinate for at least 30 minutes. This mixture can be made up to 5 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.

To make the yogurt:

Thoroughly mix the yogurt with the confectioners’ sugar and lemon zest. The yogurt mixture can be refrigerated for up to 5 days, well covered.

To assemble the dessert:

Smear about 1 tablespoon of yogurt on a phyllo pastry square. Place on an individual dessert plate. Top with a generous spoonful of the fruit mixture, then another a phyllo square. Repeat, and top with a final pastry square and a small dollop of yogurt. Sprinkle the stack and the dish around it with pomegranate arils and pistachios, then drizzle lightly with warmed honey. Repeat, creating 4 phyllo square stacks, and serve immediately. Garnish if desired with seasonal fruit such as raspberries or strawberries.