Tishpishtigreekhoneycake Recipes

TISHPISHTI (GREEK HONEY CAKE)

Steps:

• Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• Put into a saucepan and bring to a boil the margarine, coffee, brandy, honey, sugar, cinnamon, allspice.
• When the mixture has boiled, remove from the heat and stir in the four mixture to form a smooth batter.
• Fold in the raisins and chopped almonds .
• Pour into a well greased 9 X 13 inch baking pan.
• Press the dough evenly into the pan and score with a sharp knife into about 3 dozen diamond shaped pieces.
• Press an almond into each piece and bake in a preheated, 350 degree F. oven, for about 40 minutes.
• Do not permit cake to dry out.
• Cool for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring the sugar, water, honey, and brandy to a quick boil; stir and remove from the heat.
• Add the lemon juice and orange blossom water.
• With a sharp knife, cut through the hot cake in the score marks.
• Spoon the syrup over the cake so that it is well covered and is absorbed between the pieces and around the edges.
• Return to the warm oven for 5 minutes; remove and let cool.
• Let stand overnight so that the flavor and texture can mellow.

GREEK HONEY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and orange rind. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Stir in the walnuts.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then cut into diamond shapes. Pour honey syrup over the cake.
• For the Honey Syrup: In a saucepan, combine honey, 1 cup sugar and water. Bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.

GREEK CITRUS HONEY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sift dry ingredients together. In medium bowl, beat olive oil, gradually adding honey. Alternately fold in dry ingredients and juices, using about a fourth each time. Pour into oiled and floured 9-inch round cake pan. Bake about 30 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool completely on rack before removing from pan. Dust with sugar. Serve with fresh fruit if desired.

AUTHENTIC GREEK TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Stir together olive oil, vinegar, and garlic in a bowl and let sit while you prepare the cucumber.
• Peel cucumber and cut in half lengthways; scrape out all the seeds. Grate cucumber with a cheese grater into a sieve set over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt. Strain out as much liquid as possible by pressing down in the sieve with the palm of your hand. Alternately you can wring cucumber out in a clean tea towel. Add cucumber and yogurt to the garlic mixture. Mix until well combined and season with salt to taste.

TISHPISHTI (SPANISH WALNUT CAKE WITH SYRUP)

Steps:

• To make the syrup, boil the sugar and the water with the lemon juice for 15 minutes. Stir in the rose water. Cool and refrigerate.
• To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Line the bottom of a cake pan with foil or greaseproof paper. Brush the foil with oil or melted butter, pour in the cake mixture and bake for 1 hour, until browned.
• Immediately turn the cake out into a deep dish. Peel off the foil or paper, cut the cake into serving pieces and put them on plates. Drizzle syrup over each piece, allowing them to absorb the syrup for 15 minutes, and serve.

HONIGKUCHEN (GERMAN HONEY CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Use a paper towel to rub the softened butter over the bottom and sides of a jelly roll pan. Sprinkle 2 tbsp of flour over the butter and tip the pan from side to side to spread evenly. Invert the pan and tap to remove any excess flour.
• In a large bowl, stir together the 5 cups of flour, baking powder, ground almonds, coco, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon peel, and almond extract. In a large saucepan, bring the honey, sugar, and water to boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Pour the hot honey mixture over the flour mixture and stir together until a smooth dough is formed.
• Spread the dough into the pan. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle with slivered almonds, pressing them gently into the surface of the cake. Let the cake rest for 4-5 minutes, then cut. You can cut it into squares, rectangles, or any sort of fancy shape! Transfer pieces to a wire rack to cool.
• I've heard this is better if you store it wrapped in foil for several days before serving, but I've never done it.