## Karithopita: A Journey into Greek Culinary Delights
Karithopita, a traditional Greek pie renowned for its rich flavors and cultural significance, embodies the essence of Greek cuisine. This delectable dish, whose name derives from the Greek word "karithi," meaning walnut, takes center stage in Greek households and bakeries, tempting taste buds with its crunchy phyllo pastry, sweet syrup, and nutty filling. Discover the secrets behind this culinary treasure as we delve into the two variations of Karithopita presented in this article: the classic version brimming with walnuts and a delightful twist featuring a filling of almonds and orange zest. Embark on a culinary adventure as we uncover the history, symbolism, and irresistible appeal of Karithopita, a testament to the enduring legacy of Greek gastronomy.
KARITHOPITA (GREEK WALNUT CAKE)
This is my mom's specialty and she makes it for all holidays. It is a rich, dark, spicy cake that has been soaked in a syrup and is best served with a dollop of whipped cream.
Provided by evelynathens
Categories Dessert
Time 1h25m
Yield 12-15 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F; butter and flour a 13 x 9 baking pan.
- In a bowl combine the walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, breadcrumbs, flour, and baking powder.
- In a small glass, dilute the soda with the cognac.
- Beat the egg whites in a bowl until stiff peaks form.
- In a large bowl mixing bowl, cream the butter with the sugar and then add the eggs yolks; mix in the soda with the cognac, and add the milk and the walnut mixture, beating until well combined; fold in 1/4 of the beaten egg whites to lighten batter, then carefully fold in the rest; it is ok if a few white streaks show in the batter; spread into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the cake tests done. Cool cake completely (it is very important that the cake is cooled before pouring on hot syrup because otherwise it will turn mushy).
- For the syrup: Mix all the ingredients together in a medium saucepan; bring it to a boil and boil for 5-7 minutes; remove cinnamon stick and pour hot syrup over cooled cake; let the cake cool completely (from the addition of the hot syrup) before serving.
KARITHOPITA
A honey lemon syrup is poured over the lightly spiced walnut cake to create a moist and delicious treat with a minimum of fuss.
Provided by JEDICYNSTER
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 55m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch square baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Cut in the shortening until it is in very small pieces, then mix in the milk and egg using an electric mixer on low speed. Mix for about 1 minute, scraping the bottom of the bowl at least once to avoid lumps. Stir in walnuts by hand. Pour into the prepared pan, and spread evenly.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool cake in the pan for about 30 minutes while you prepare the honey syrup.
- In a saucepan, stir together 1/4 cup of sugar and the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir in the honey and lemon juice, and remove from heat.
- Make slashes in the top of the cake in a diamond pattern using a knife. Pour the hot syrup over the top of the cake.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 197.7 calories, Carbohydrate 26.1 g, Cholesterol 12.5 mg, Fat 9.8 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 2.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 104.9 mg, Sugar 17.6 g
KARITHOPITA - OLYMPIC WALNUT CAKE
Karithopita (Kefalonian Walnut Cake) is made at Artopolis bakery in New York City with a recipe from co-owner Nick Pantelatos' mother, who comes from the Greek island of Kefalonia. As printed in our local newspaper. Cooling time not included in cooking time.
Provided by Molly53
Categories Dessert
Time 50m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325°F Grease an 8- or 9-inch round pan.
- Beat egg yolks with sugar until pale yellow.
- Stir in orange juice, brandy and vanilla.
- Combine semolina and baking powder and fold into egg yolks.
- In separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff.
- Fold in walnuts, nutmeg and orange zest.
- Fold 1/2 of whites into yolk mixture, then fold in remaining whites.
- Spread in pan and bake for 30 minutes.
- Cool on rack.
- While cake is baking, combine water, sugar, lemon rind and cinnamon in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then lower heat and cook until sugar is melted.
- Set aside to cool slightly.
- Pour hot syrup on cake, place 8 walnut halves around the top outside edge and 1 in the center and serve.
Tips:
- For a crispy phyllo pastry, use clarified butter or a mixture of butter and olive oil.
- To prevent the filling from leaking, make sure to seal the edges of the pastry well.
- Bake the karithopita in a preheated oven to ensure even cooking.
- Allow the karithopita to cool slightly before serving to prevent the filling from spilling out.
- Garnish with chopped walnuts or pistachios for extra flavor and texture.
Conclusion:
Karithopita is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this traditional Greek recipe is a great option for home cooks of all skill levels. Whether you're looking for a hearty vegetarian main course or a sweet and savory treat, karithopita is sure to satisfy your taste buds. So why not give it a try today?
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