Melomakarona

(recipe from Argiro Barbarigou "Everyday Greek")

Makes 80

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
• 7 water glasses of soft (plain) flour (appr.1kg), sieve
• 2 water glasses of groundnut oil
• 3/4 water glass of sugar
• 3/4 water glass of orange juice
• grated zest of 2 organic oranges
• 1/2 water glass of brandy METAXA
• 1 tbsp bicarbonat of soda
• 1 tbsp cinnamon powder and cloves
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 200 gr walnuts to garnish, coarsely chopped

For the syrup

• 2 water glasses of greek honey
• 2 water glasses of water
• 2 water glasses of sugar
• juice of 1/2 lemon

Step One

 Place the oil , sugar , cinnamon, and cloves in a bowl and stir with a wisker until the sugar melts. Place the juice in a small bowl and dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in(hold the bowl over the oil-sugar mix because the soda will overflow). Add it in, along with the brandy and grated zest.

Step Two

 Sieve the flour and the baking powder together and add in to the mixture, a little at a time, stirring with a whisker. Once the dough holds together, work it gently with your hands. You need to end up with a smooth, light and oily dough, so do not work it to much because it will become firm. Then take a small piece of the dough and mould it into a ball. Pat it with your palms to flatten and place the melomakarono on a baking tray.

Step Three

 When all the melomakarona are arrayed on a baking tray, take a fork and poke them lightly on the top. Place the tray on the centre shelf of a preheated oven and bake at 170℃, in a hot air fan, for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Let them cool completely and then fit them snugly in a large baking pan. Prepare the syrup. Put all the ingredients in a large casserole, bring to the boil and simmer for 6-7 minutes onwards. Spoon the froth from the syrup. Pour the hot syrup over the melomakarona for 4-5 minutes and turn them over. Place them on a serving plate and sprinkle with walnuts.

Poftă Bună!!!