NUT CAKE

The ancient recipe: Nut Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup shelled almonds
• 1 cup hazelnuts
• 1 tbsp bitter almonds
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• ½ cup sesame seeds
• 7 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
• Olive Oil

Preheat the oven at 350 F. Mix all the nuts except the sesame seeds and bake them for a few minutes in the oven. Do the same for the sesame seeds and then let them cool down. In a small pot let 3 tablespoons of honey simmer for about 7 minutes, add the sesame seeds, mix well. Let it cool enough so that you can handle it, pour it on an oily surface and knead into a ball. Separate it into 2 pieces,  roll 1 piece out with a rolling pin into a thin sheet that will fit in a shallow pan. Place the sheet on the bottom of the pan. Put all the nuts with the pepper in a blender or mixer and mix well for about 1 to 2 minutes. Boil the rest of the honey for 7 minutes and then add all the nuts and mix well. While it is still hot pour the nut and honey mixture in the pan on top of the sesame layer. Spread evenly. Roll the other piece of sesame seed dough into a sheet and cover the nut mixture. Let it cool off for 1 hour and then cut it small pieces.
Similar to today’s: Pasteli, a honey- sesame bar, a great sweet and healthy at the same time.