Chocolate-Pistachio Phyllo Rolls...or Chocolate "Baklava" Rolls

Chocolate-Pistachio Phyllo Rolls...or Chocolate "Baklava" Rolls The other day my husband asked me to make him some apple turnovers...apple turnovers are one of his favorites. I really don't mind doing them as I feel they aren't that heavy of a dessert...and well, apples are good for you:). Anyway, I ended up having some leftover phyllo sheets and I knew I wanted to make the chocolate-pistachio rolls I had seen on MasterChef Australia some time ago. I remember thinking the rolls had to be really good. The basic ingredients were very simple...chocolate, nuts and honey. Ingredients I really like and most often have around the house. The recipe isn't the type of recipe that has to be followed exactly... amounts don't have to be really precise. You can keep a 1:1 ratio of chocolate and nuts, and then add a bit of honey. Or you can use more nuts and less chocolate...it's up to you. You can also vary the type of nuts you use... flavorings can also be added. But the overall dessert is quite elegant and lovely...crispy, chocolaty and nutty.

I chose to make individual rolls, but you can also make a larger roll that you can cut in smaller bites. Either way, they are quite simple to prepare. I love to keep the pistachios whole ...but you can coarsely chop them if you like. Also, feel free to vary the nuts...though I have to admit I loved the pistachio version. The original recipe uses pistachio nuts as well as peanuts, so feel free to add some peanuts.

Various flavorings can be added to the chocolate-nut mixture. I added some rose water, but really didn't taste it in the final product. Cinnamon is a popular addition as well as orange. If you don't care for the flavorings, you can skip it altogether and still have the rolls taste great.

You can serve the phyllo rolls warm...with a soft melted center. Or, you can serve it at room temp.... where the inside filling firms up a bit and has a truffle-like center. The phyllo rolls remind me of the popular baklava....except a chocolate version of it.

While the original recipe has you dip the phyllo rolls in a sabayon mixture... I chose to keep it rather simple. But if you really want to make a fancy dessert, you can opt to make the sabayon as well. It was just great with a cup of coffee. Hope you enjoy...

Tip: If you want to skip the honey, you a can add a bit of cream instead. Also, it is important you butter the phyllo sheets well so you get crispy rolls.

My phyllo sheets comes in a double pack measuring 13x9 inches. If yours are larger, you may need to cut the sheets.

You will need: inspired by MasterChef Australia

• makes about 8 (3 inch) phyllo rolls...or so.

100 grams chocolate, melted

100 grams pistachios, lightly roasted

1 TBS honey

8(13x9) phyllo dough sheets

Flavoring of choice, optional*

melted butter

powdered sugar, for sprinkling on top

*I used 1 TBS rosewater...though I couldn't taste it at all. But you can add a bit of cinnamon, orange zest, or even rum.

Directions:

1. Mix the melted chocolate with pistachios( you may chop them if you like)...add honey and any flavoring you like. Mix to combine thoroughly.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degs. F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Place phyllo sheets on countertop. Keep covered.(this will prevent it from drying out).

4. Brush 1 filo sheet(13x9) with melted butter, fold in half...making sure the slightly longer edge is facing you.

5. Spoon about 2 TBS of chocolate filling along edge, leaving some space at both ends. Roll the phyllo over the filling, then fold the edges in. Brush any exposed phyllo with extra butter.

6. Roll up to secure the filling. Brush the roll again with extra butter. Place onto baking tray. Repeat with the rest.

7. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden. Dust with icing sugar.