SDC recently sponsored an event which included preparation of recipes from old and sometimes medieval manuscripts in convents around the world. Participants requested the recipes be made available, so thanks to Alla Barabtarlo for the recipes as well as the presentation.
Lenten Fruit Cake
1 cup oil (any cooking oil)
1 cup sugar
3 cups flour
1 cup orange juice
1 cup nuts (walnuts better)
3 tsp baking powder
1 large tin of Fruit cocktail
0.5 teaspoon vanilla essence
Put all ingredients into a large bowl & mix together
Bake approximately 45 min at 350 F.
Lenten Nut Cake
Mix together in a bowl:
2.5 cups finely chopped nuts
1.5 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1.5 cups oil
1.5 cups white wine
1.5 tsp baking soda (she adds a fraction more)
1.5 tsp vanilla
Grease jelly roll pan or 13 x 9 cake pan. Bake at 350F anywhere from 25 to 35 minutes. Test with toothpick when cool, cut into desired shape and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Note: do not decrease sugar in this recipe. It will not bake right!
Olive Bread
Mix together:
4.5 cups of flour (1 cup wheat, rest—any plain)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
Add:
2 tsp yeast (dry?)
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cups water
Beat together all the above ingredients
Let it rise about 30 min
Add:
2 cups of olives (halved or whole)
1 large onion chopped (green and head)
0.25 cup coriander
Fresh or dry mint, small cup
Oil the baking pan (parchment paper), spread the dough evenly, cover
Let it rise second time. Coat with orange juice, by hand.
Bake 45 min of until brown, app. At 350 F. (170C)
“Prianiki”
8 large eggs
2 cups of honey
2 cups sugar
2 tsp ground cloves
4 tsp ground cinnamon
4 tsp baking soda
As much flour as it takes to make the dough pretty tough. (nothing more precise said)
Leave the dough overnight. It should become pretty tough. Add more flour.
Roll the dough flat, (about 1 inch) use cookie cutter to make cookies.
Bake at 375F. These cookies have no fat so they stay fresh pretty long without spoiling.
“Kovrizhka”
2/3 cup honey
½ cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 cup water
½ cup oil
½ cup walnuts, chopped
3 cups flour
2 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
Combine honey and sugar. Add water with baking soda, blend together.
Add oil, nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and flour.
Mix well.
Pour in greased and floured pan. Let stand at room temperature for an hour.
Bake for 35 min at about 300F. Check with a toothpick.