OK, so perhaps I'll be tried for treason due to having breached the Official Secrets Act, but due to a veritable trickle of demand, I've decided to share with the world the recipe for the wonderful Greek Olive Oil Cake which my wife makes. It's so easy that even I could probably do it. Don't think I'll test that theory out though. After all, she does it so well and there's always a supply on hand.
It ought to look something like this...
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| The dark bits are dried dates which can be added to taste. You could always add sultanas or raisins if you like. |
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| The top should be everso slightly crispy - yum! |
So, what do you do? Here goes...
500g self-raising flour. Or, as my wife prefers, plain flour along with 4 teaspoons of baking powder, which the Greeks rather amusingly call "mbaikin powdair".
1 cup of olive oil
1 cup of sugar (though my wife uses only three-quarters of a cupful, or more often honey these days)
1 cup of milk
(if you elect to use soya milk, then it's a vegan recipe)
(if you elect to use soya milk, then it's a vegan recipe)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
Plus a little dash (!!!) of white wine or orange juice. I keep recommending perhaps Malibu, Metaxa or something, but she won't listen!!
Mix it up well, shove it into a loaf tin and bung it in the oven at 160ºC for 45 minutes.
Next, boil the kettle and brew a nice pot of Earl Grey. Pour into bone china cups (Oh, all right then, we use a couple of thick mugs - they hold more!!)
Slice cake and place on small plate. Serve beside the tea (if you're really feeling sinful, smear Nutella on the slice of cake before serving!!)
Now, possibly owing to the fact that my better half uses a reduced amount of sugar, ours is often quite crumbly. Who cares, it tastes fabulous!!
I shall expect some feedback from you folks out there!!!
Definitely going to try this, it sounds delicious. I would even add Metaxa, as you have suggested, if only we hadn't finished our last bottle within a week of returning from our last visit! Will give feedback asap.
ReplyDeleteVicki
Sorry, haven't tried it yet .......been so busy, but will do so before long. In fact, if it rains this afternoon I might do it, but if the sun shines, unlikely I know, then I'll be in the garden (sorry, jungle!)
ReplyDeleteVicki
John how much sugar
ReplyDeleteAs we didnt have much nutella we used home made marmalade. delious.
ReplyDeleteCake all gone now
Wonderful! Glad it was a success. Thanks for the feedback.
DeleteHi, John
ReplyDeleteThe cake is great. My husband and I just had some with Greek coffee. I did add Metaxa, and we liked it. I was going to add dates but forgot--might have had something to do with the Metaxa I poured for myself while I was making it.
Thanks to Yvonne Marie for letting you share the recipe!
Tried it twice now,first time with self-raising flour sank in middle, second time with plain flour and baking powder a success and really tasty
ReplyDeleteExcellent Dave. The wife (as mentioned) much prefers the baking powder approach.
ReplyDelete