Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Greek Traditional New Year's Cake for Good Luck!

Vassilopita with Chios mastic, orange blossom water and pistachios

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Every New Year's Eve we prepare the cake ("Vassilopita", St. Basil's New Year's cake), decorate it with the number of the New Year and we hide a coin (gold, silver or brass) inside, which is believed to bring good luck to whoever wins.

The unique flavor of Mastic will give a special aroma in your "Vassilopita" that will be memorable to the family and your guests !


Ingredients:

3/4 cup olive oil
1½ cups sugar
4 eggs
3 1/2 cups (400gr.) self -rising flour
1 cup warm fresh milk
3 tablespoons orange blossom water
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon crushed mastic
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 lemon ( zest )
1 cup pistachios ground

Directions:
Beat the oil with sugar . Pour the egg yolks one at a time , and continue beating . Add the lemon zest , mastic , orange blossom water , lemon juice , milk and flour sifted with baking powder . Finally add the pistachios and egg whites , after we beat them on meringue . Gently incorporate the meringue in the dough and mix with a spoon until the mixture becomes homogenous .
Grease and lay parchment paper on a baking tray 30 cm . Pour the mixture into the baking tray .
Bake for 45-50 at 180 °C/350F, up to inflate the cake and turns lightly brown evenly. Let it cool for a while, sprinkle some sugar powder on the top and garnish with pomegranate seeds.


TIP:
Mastic when not used sparingly bitter . So, do not put more than 3/4 teaspoon !
If we use mastic crystals we must crush them very well in a mortar until they become a fine powder. The mastic should be frozen . Add always a little sugar in the mortar.

For more recipes by Katerina, visit here.

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