Greek Island Candy Recipes

MIJA (GREEK CANDY)

Steps:

• Cook all ingredients except chocolate bars over high heat in heavy pan.
• Stir constantly until amber or brown, DO NOT BURN.
• Pour into buttered 9 X 13 inch pan.
• While still hot place 7 Hershey bars on top, spread after melted.
• Cool and crack.

GREEK PASTELI (SESAME SEED & HONEY SNACKS)

Steps:

• In a heavy pan, bring the honey and water to "firm ball stage" (130 degrees C/250 degrees F).
• Take off the heat and stir in the sesame seeds and lemon zest.
• On a flat marble surface (or metal trays moistened with water, or a layer of parchment) spread the mixture evenly with a spatula or knife (or try a rolling pin) to 1 cm (1/4 inch) thickness.
• Before it cools, cut into squares (try a pizza cutter).
• When it is completely cool, wrap the squares in waxed paper and store in a covered container.

GREEK KOUFETA (WEDDING ALMOND "TAFFY" FROM CYCLADES ISLANDS)

Steps:

• Pour the honey, brandy, and orange blossom water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir, reduce the heat, and gently boil until the mixture is the color of burnished mahogany and spins off a spoon, 240°F on a candy thermometer, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the almonds and bring to a boil again. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool until it is no longer bubbling. Turn it out onto a large plate, allowing the almonds to spread out evenly. Cool until the mixture is thick enough to spoon up in "globs," several hours or overnight.
• To serve, offer each diner a clean spoon or knife as you pass the platter of koufeta around. Each person slides the knife or spoon into the taffy and spins the implement until a scoop of the koufeta takes hold. The koufeta is then eaten off the knife or spoon. Serves 10 to 20.
• NOTES: Koufeta will keep, covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Some villages add a little toasted sesame seed in the koufeta mixture or sprinkle it on top once the mixture is poured onto the platter.
• Adventures in Greek cooking.

PASTELI - GREEK SESAME & HONEY CANDY!

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring honey and lemon peel to a boil. Add sesame seeds stirring continuously and continue to cook while stirring to mix completely and thoroughly. When the seeds are fully mixed in and the mixture has boiled again, remove from heat. Remove and discard lemon peel.
• Place a large sheet of parchment on a flat work surface.
• Carefully pour the honey mixture onto the paper to form a square or rectangle about 1/2" thick. Lightly sprinkle the paper with rose water & cover with half of the sesame seeds.
• Dip a spatula into rose water or oil and press down the pasteli then. Cover the surface with the remaining sesame seeds and press them into the pasteli with the spatula.
• (Instead of pouring straight onto the paper you can use a lightly oiled jelly / jam roll tin, then follow the rest of the instructions.).
• Allow to cool slightly - do not leave too long or it will become impossible to cut!. Once firm, cut into squares or diamonds and allow to cool properly.
• Wrap each piece individually in small pieces of waxed paper and store in an airtight container.

GREEK ISLAND CANDY

Steps:

• 1. Brown whole pecans in 1/2 stick margarine; drain pecans. Combine all other ingredients with pecans. Bring to a boil and boil hard for three minutes. Remove from heat and beat until creamy and thick (it will lose its shine) enough to drop on wax paper by teaspoonful. ENJOY!!! (The pecans are not chopped; keep whole)