Melomakarona Andonias
Recipe
- Title:
- Melomakarona Andonias
- Categories:
- Cookies, Greek
- Yield:
- 48 servings
Directions
- Karen Mintzias 1/2 c Cognac 7 c All-purpose unbleached flour
OR
mavrothaphne wine Extra flour for kneading OR
ruby port 1 1/2 ts Baking soda 3 Oranges; zested and juiced 1/4 ts Salt 4 ts Freshly ground cinnamon 1 3/4 c Mild olive oil 1 1/2 ts Freshly ground clove 1 1/4 c Sugar 3/4 ts Freshly grated nutmeg
Ingredients
SYRUP
- 1 lb Honey; (1 lb = about 2 cups)
- 1
- Clove
- 1 c Sugar
- 1
- Lemon; zested and juiced
- 1
- 1-inch piece of cinnamon
- 1 c Water
Ingredients
TOPPING
- 1/2 c Shelled almonds
- 1 ts Freshly ground cinnamon
- 1 tb Sugar
Directions
- Author's note: These cakes are traditionally served at Christmas.
- This recipe comes from my neighbor, Andonia.
- I have a distinct memory of her beating the oil and sugar into the flour until it dissolved using her middle finger and forefinger as a beater - though a spoon will do.
Directions
- Start by making the syrup.
- Put the honey, sugar, cinnamon, clove, and lemon zest in a saucepan and add the water.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Add the lemon juice, then chill.
Directions
- To blanch the almonds, plunge them into boiling water for 1-2 minutes, until you see signs of their skins loosening.
- Then drain and slip or pop them from their skins onto a baking sheet.
- Toast them in an oven preheated to 350 F for about 10 minutes - just until they begin to color.
- Cool, then chop them very, very finely - if you do this in a food processor, make sure that the pulses are short, or the nuts could turn oily.
- Mix the ground almonds with the sugar and cinnamon and reserve.
Directions
- Sift the flour, baking soda and salt together.
- Put the olive oil and sugar in a large bowl and beat together - with your fingers like Andonia - or with a wooden spoon.
- Beat in the Cognac, the orange zest, spices, and juice from 2 oranges (about 1/2 cup).
Directions
- Then beat in the flour, a few spoonfuls at a time, until you have a malleable dough, adding more flour if it is too soft, and more orange juice if it is too stiff.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until very smooth.
Directions
- Pinch off pieces of dough of about 2 tablespons and form into flattened oval or lozenge shapes.
- Place them on an oiled or non-stick baking sheet.
- Bake in an oven preheated to 400-425 F for about 20 minutes, until brown.
Directions
- When they are cool enough to handle, dip them in the bowl of syrup for about 1 minute.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a tray to cool.
- Sprinkle with the chopped almond mixture.
Directions
- Source: Recipes from a Greek Island, by Susie Jacobs
Directions
- Typed for you by Karen Mintzias
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