Saraliyka (Walnut Filo Spiral)

Steps

1. 1
   Make the syrup first: boil the sugar for the syrup with the water for 10 minutes, stir in the lemon juice and leave to cool completely.
2. 2
   Heat the oven to 180°C and brush a 30 cm round tin with butter.
3. 3
   Mix the walnuts with the 2 tbsp of sugar and the cinnamon.
4. 4
   Lay one filo sheet on the worktop, brush it lightly with butter, lay a second sheet on top, brush again and scatter over 2 heaped tablespoons of the walnuts.
5. 5
   Lay a thin wooden dowel or a long rolling pin about 1 cm thick along a long edge and roll the filo loosely around it.
6. 6
   Push both ends of the roll towards the middle so the pastry crinkles like an accordion to about half its length, then slide it off the rod.
7. 7
   Coil the first roll tightly in the centre of the tin and wrap the following rolls around it, end to end, until the tin is filled with one large spiral.
8. 8
   Brush the top with the remaining butter and bake for 40–45 minutes, until deep golden and crisp.
9. 9
   Pour the cold syrup slowly over the pastry as soon as it comes out of the oven and leave it to soak for at least 4 hours before cutting into wedges.