Friday, December 16, 2011

Melomakarona (Christmas desert with honey)


 
Homechefs in Greece make melomakarona only the period before Christmas. I think this is the reason why almost everybody loves them! Today I' ll give you my recipe, which is not unique, and has been formed by combining the recipes from my gradmothers and my own experiments.
   
Ingredients
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/3 cup brandy or liqueur
zest of 1 orange
1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated clove
little grated nutmeg
1/2 cup fine semolina
 
2.5 cups flour

syrup
2 cups water
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup honey
1 orange cut in half

coverings
walnut chopped
cinnamon and cloves

 
How to Make 
Place the first five ingredients into a bowl and beat then with the mixer for 5 minutes until fully homogenized (I should prepare you that this stage is pretty splashy). In the meantime, turn on the oven at 175 degrees Celsius.
Then add the liquid mix the five next ingredients and stir constantly with a fork. After that, add the 2 cups of flour and continue stirring with the fork. From now on you should put your hands in! Pour slowly and remaining half cup of flour until the pastry has a homogeneous and relatively soft texture. If you find it very sticky pour some more flour, but be carefull it should not be stiff. 
Put wax paper on a baking pan. Then prepare small balls of pastry (the size of a whole walnut). Try to make the balls really smooth externally, without cracks. Place them in the pan, pressing lightly to be somewhat flat and leave a small gap between them. You will need 3 to 4 pans.
Bake in preheated oven at 175 for 20-25 minutes, until starting to get slightly red. Then place all of them in a pan or a bowl tightly with each one another and turned upside down and let them cool completely.
Once they cool, prepare the syrup. Put all ingredients in a saucepan and boil for 5-7 minutes. With a ladle pour the syrup over the Melomakarona and let them stand several hours (7-8) or overnight.
Then mix the chopped walnut with cinnamon and cloves and sprinkle melomakarona as you turn them to a platter.

 Find it in Greek here.

44 comments:

  1. Hello Elpiniki, i wish all the best for your new blog in English! I'll be here!

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  2. Congrats on the new blog Elpiniki!
    Your melomakarona look amazing.

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  3. @ My little expat kitchen, thank you so much!

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  4. These would be a big hit in my house!

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  5. @ Pam, then you just have to try them!

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  6. My Greek neighbor has shared these with me and they are delicious.

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  7. Hi Elpiniki,
    Love this recipe, looks so yummy! I don't think I would be able to stop at eating just a few,I would need the whole plate!
    Thanks for stopping by at my blog and for the lovely compliments. Will be following you.

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  8. I have never had one of these but I love all the flavors yum.

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  9. These look great! I love anything with honey!!

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  10. Wonderful blog and nice recipes. I like it.

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  11. These look absolutely delicious! My kind of sweet treats!
    Ciao
    Alessandra

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  12. PS
    I am now following you, please come and visit too if you like, I am here:
    http://alessandrazecchini.blogspot.com/

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  13. These really look wonderful. Your blog is off to a very good start. I'll be back often. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  14. @ backroadjournal, so you have personal opinion! It s nice that you liked them!

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  15. @ Asmita, thank you so much! I make them small so that I can eat more!

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  16. @ Candy, then I m sure you d love them too!

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  17. @ Alessandra, thank you so much! Love your blogs!

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  18. I lve these! I have had something like these at a local restaurant here ( a beautiful authentic Greek place)!
    Thank you for visiting basilmomma,too!

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  19. Congrats on your first recipe post! :-) It's nice to meet you and you shared such a delicious recipe. I thought it's deep fried from the photo, but it's baked. I am not familiar with greek food besides what's commonly known, so I look forward to your posts!

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  20. oh these are delicious! I think we had these at our recent Xmas party!

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  21. @ basilmomma, thank u so much! I m glad that you ve tasted them!

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  22. @ Nami, I hope you ll find out interesting things about our food!

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  23. Your first recipe looks amazing! Love this unique, delicious looking treat!

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  24. @ The Cafe Sucre Farine, thank you so much!

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  25. @ Dellene, thank u! Hope to see you often!

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  26. They look amazing! Really decadent dessert, I love the syrup on baked goodies!

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  27. These look great for anytime of year! Very nice recipes here.

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  28. @ Otehlia, thank you! I d eat them anytime, but its tradition to make them only at Christmas!

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  29. Very delicious looking dessert. I don't mind eating it any time of the year :) Now, a happy follower of your blog. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  30. @ easyfoodsmith, thank you for visiting too! Hope to see you around again soon!

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  31. Thanks for finding me! You're doing great on here. Everything so far looks so yummy. I can't wait to see more.

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  32. Thanks for finding me. I'm glad you did. I love Greek cuisine and these look yummy can't wait to try and drink it with a cup of tea. I'm a follower now. Looking forward to see what you will be cooking. : )

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting back! Hope to see u around again!

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