Almond cake from Kefalonia

This is simply a affluent almond barroom made with 12 eggs – light, airy and afloat of flavor. Don’t beryllium surprised by the fig of eggs. Since almonds are a dense ingredient, they are needed to adhd aerial and springiness the barroom its airy texture. And, of course, galore eggs went unused during the Lenten accelerated and were acceptable speech for dyeing and for making festive sweets similar this one.

According to the Kefalonian chef, this look is besides packed with symbolism. The fig 12, which recurs successful the measurements, refers to the 12 Gospel readings recited during the Holy Thursday service. It is much than a look detail; it is simply a transportation with spiritual custom.

Chef: George Antonellos

Prep: 45’

Baking: 30-40’

Ingredients

(for 14 portions)

• 12 tbsp blanched almonds, finely crushed

• 12 tbsp sugar

• 12 eggs, separated into yolks and whites

• 8 crispbreads (fryganies), finely ground

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 90 ml sweet white wine, such arsenic Muscat of Kefalonia

• zest of 1 citrus and 1 orange

• 1/3 tsp crushed cinnamon

• 1/3 tsp crushed cloves

• 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

• a small oil, for greasing the pan

For the syrup

• 250 g sugar

• 250 ml water

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 50 ml sweet white wine, such arsenic Muscat of Kefalonia

Method

In a ample bowl, bushed the ovum yolks with the sugar utilizing a whisk oregon manus mixer until light, fluffy, and airy successful color. Use the stand mixer oregon a manus mixer to bushed the ovum whites into a meringue successful a 2nd bowl. In a third bowl, harvester the crushed almonds, crushed crispbread crumbs, citrus zests and spices.
Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Gradually adhd the adust ingredients to the vessel with the beaten yolks, mixing with a flexible silicone spatula. Then mildly fold successful the meringue, a small astatine a time, utilizing soft circular motions so the substance doesn’t suffer its volume.

Dissolve the baking soda successful the wine successful a glass, then determination it into the mixture. Stir mildly until the batter is smooth and uniform.

Lightly lipid a circular baking cookware astir 32 cm successful diameter and determination successful the batter.

Bake successful the preheated oven until golden, astir 30-40 minutes. Remove and fto the almond barroom chill completely.

For the syrup: Combine each the ingredients successful a small saucepan and bring to a boil, cooking until the sugar dissolves (about 3 minutes). Once the almond barroom has cooled, determination the blistery syrup implicit it gradually with a ladle. Let the dessert chill wholly earlier serving.

This story archetypal appeared successful Kathimerini’s nutrient supplement, Gastronomos.