Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup semolina flour
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3-4 cloves
- 1 lemon peel
Special equipment needed:
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Saucepan
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, semolina flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, sugar, and orange juice.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
5. Fold in the chopped walnuts.
6. Shape the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. While the finikia are baking, prepare the honey syrup. In a saucepan, combine the honey, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and lemon peel.
9. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the syrup thickens.
10. Remove the cinnamon stick, cloves, and lemon peel from the syrup.
11. Once the finikia are done baking, immediately dip them into the honey syrup, making sure they are fully coated.
12. Allow the finikia to soak in the syrup for a few minutes before serving.
Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
5. Temperature:
350°F
Serving size:
Makes approximately 24 finikia
Nutritional information:
Calories: 190
Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Protein: 2g
Sodium: 50mg
Sugar: 18g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can substitute the walnuts with almonds or pistachios.
- If you don't have semolina flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead.
Variations:
- You can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough for extra flavor.
- Instead of dipping the finikia in honey syrup, you can sprinkle them with powdered sugar.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the dough is not too dry or too wet. It should be easy to shape into balls.
- If the honey syrup is too thick, add a little more water to thin it out.
- You can store the finikia in an airtight container for up to a week.
Storage instructions:
Store the finikia in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Reheating instructions:
You can reheat the finikia in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes, or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Presentation ideas:
Arrange the finikia on a platter and drizzle them with extra honey syrup. Garnish with chopped nuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Garnishes:
Chopped nuts, powdered sugar, cinnamon.
Pairings:
Serve the finikia with a cup of coffee or tea.
Suggested side dishes:
Greek yogurt, fresh fruit.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the dough is too dry, add a little more orange juice.
- If the honey syrup is too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to thicken it.
Food safety advice:
Make sure to store the finikia in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
Food history:
Finikia is a traditional Greek dessert that is typically served during the Christmas season. It is made with honey, spices, and nuts, and is often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea.
Flavor profiles:
Sweet, nutty, spiced.
Serving suggestions:
Serve the finikia as a dessert or snack.
Related Categories
Cooking Method: N/A
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Region: Greek
Taste: Sweet, Nutty, Honeyed, Buttery, Cinnamon, Cinnamon-Spiced