Galatoboureko--Custard Pie

Today is Yannis' name day; along with half of the Greeks around the world.  Traditionally, families name their first boy after the grandfather and the first girl after the grandmother. The Greeks celebrate on the saint's feast day that they are named after, and birthdays are generally not a big deal. So the Yannis (Johns) are preparing banquets for their friends and families today.  People will stop by to visit the Yannis , bringing sweets, flowers and bottles of alcohol.  My Yannis will be making souzoukakia and I am preparing his favorite  (no really, this IS his favorite!) sweet...galatoboureko. This is probably my favorite Greek sweet too.  I hope Yannis makes it for me for my name day; when the other half of the Greek population celebrates!!

Galataboureko
6 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cup sugar
 1/2 cup butter
 1 cup farina
6 eggs
2 teas. orange or lemon zest
dash of salt
1 teas. vanilla
1 pound filo pastry leaves
 melted sweet butter(about 3/4 cup)

In a large saucepan heat the milk over low fire until warm. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat the eggs till frothy, adding the sugar and then the farina slowly into the eggs.  Stir the egg mixture into the warm milk, add butter and stir until completely blended.  Remove from heat and add the orange or lemon rind, vanilla and salt. Allow custard to cool.   Prepare the syrup...

Bring to a boil:
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 teas. orange peel
Simmer for about 15 minutes, add:
1 teas. vanilla
2 jiggers peach or orange liqueur (optional)

Grease a 9x13c2 inch baking pan, and place about 10 sheets of the filo leaves in the bottom of the pan, brushing each sheet with melted butter.  Pour the cooled custard mixture into the pan and spread evenly. Cover the custard with remaining filo sheets, again brushing each sheet with melted butter.  With a sharp knife or razor blade, cut the top layer of pastry into 3 inch squares.  Bake at 350 F./180C. for one hour, remove froom oven and pour the cooled syrup over the pan, saturating the filo and custard thoroughly.  Allow to cool before serving.  Hronia Polla!!!