Selling & shipping baklava! =)

[Mandrik]

I started selling & shipping baklava online back in September after some testing through my online gaming group.  It's been a great success through their site, eBay, and Etsy.  I thought I'd post something here in off topics in case anyone was interested.  I set up a basic website at http://www.mandrik.com that has slightly better deals than what I have on eBay & Etsy (since I avoid their fees this way).  My inspiration to start doing this came from FTL.  For years I wanted to make & sell baklava online, but I was always worried about different government regulations regarding these types of things.  I started listening to FTL late this past summer and absolutely loved the show.  I became an AMPlifier and decided that I would go with my idea of selling baklava online as a form of civil disobedience.  It's a small, but important, step for me in the direction of liberty.


I turn 30 in April and have been baking baklava since I was 13.  My parents came over on a boat from Greece back in the 60's.  I took my grandmother's recipe and modified it over the years to create what I've dubbed as Mandrik's Melt-In-Your-Mouth Baklava.  I'm obsessed with making the best baklava, so I always buy the best ingredients.  I don't use clover honey, but rather buckwheat honey, which gives my baklava amazing flavor.  I've sold about 20 pans worth of orders since September so I think it's safe to say people really like it.    I seal orders in wax paper, put that in a plastic container, bubble wrap & box it, and then ship via USPS Priority Mail.

Baklava ingredients: Fillo dough, walnuts, butter, sugar, buckwheat honey, water, cinnamon, clove, lime juice

Thanks!

Mandrik's Baklava

[blackie]

Nice. You can move around with that job. There was a Greek pizza joint with a couple video games at the end of my street when I was growing up, and they sold pretty good baklava.

[BonerJoe]

Ooo, finally someone spamming something that I want.

[AL the Inconspicuous]

I don't eat anything sweet, sorry.

[Mandrik]

Ooo, finally someone spamming something that I want.

I'm assuming you just placed the order that came to my inbox.  Thanks!  Due to the holiday weekend I won't be shipping any orders out until Monday.  I like to make sure the baklava spends as little time as possible being shipped so I hope this is cool with you.    Be sure to let me know what you think  once you receive it!

[Bill Brasky]

Good for you, man.  Looks tasty. 

[BonerJoe]

Ooo, finally someone spamming something that I want.

I'm assuming you just placed the order that came to my inbox.  Thanks!  Due to the holiday weekend I won't be shipping any orders out until Monday.  I like to make sure the baklava spends as little time as possible being shipped so I hope this is cool with you.    Be sure to let me know what you think  once you receive it!

I'm a sucker for baklava.

[Mandrik]

My baklava is definitely my own style of making it.  I've taken the advice from a lot of foodie friends, one of which is a food critic, and slowly turned my family's recipe into something quite different.  I didn't want my baklava to be the typical kind where you bit down, taste the fillo & syrup, and then get overwhelmed by the walnuts.  I grind my walnuts fine and have over 50 layers of fillo.  My syrup has the unique flavor from the buckwheat honey.  The clove & cinnamon stand out, too.  I used to use normal, store brand cinnamon until I ordered the extra fancy Vietnamese from Penzeys (my favorite spice store).  Plain 'ol cinnamon is not allowed in my house any more, and you'll know what I mean when you taste my baklava.  I have to actually use a lot less than normal because it's so strong.  My goal was to have a consistent flavor in every bite, and I think I've created that.  This is what gives it the melt-in-your-mouth experience.

[BonerJoe]

It did look like it had a lot of layers. I will definitely let you know.

[Bill Brasky]

IT IS NUMBER ONE BAKLAVA IN ALL OF BAKLAVASTAN

[Lindsey]

Is this for real?  And baklava...ebay?  Wat.   

[AOD_Horseman]

Egad, man, sold!

This stuff looks (and sounds, from the description) amazing. Now to check my bank account...

[TimeLady Victorious]

Ooo, finally someone spamming something that I want.

Wish I had money

[AL the Inconspicuous]

Wish I had money

Get a job.  Or have sex with nasty old men - problem solved.   

[Mandrik]

Is this for real?  And baklava...ebay?  Wat.   

I took a couple last-minute local orders for pans of baklava, and I'm about to head out to deliver them.  I assure you, this is very legit.  I know I'm new to these boards (which I have mostly been lurking), but I promise only the finest in baked heaven.