St. Fanourios Cake / Chec grecesc de post

Directions

1. Preheat oven to low or very low. Grease a small cake pan.

2. Rinse the plums and pull out the pits. Cut them in half if preferred.

3. In a cup or glass, dissolve baking soda in the brandy or cognac.

4. In a large mixing bowl, blend oil, orange juice, zest from ½ lemon and sugar.

5. Add flour, baking powder and spices all together, then mix all the ingredients.

6. When the mixture has an un-varying smooth texture, without lumps, gently stir in the plums, and pour in to the pan.

4. Bake for approximately 1 hour. A knife will come out of the center clean when the cake is done.

 

Notes: This recipe comes from Greece and is a traditional Christian Orthodox cake. You ask the saint to reveal something lost to you and, as thanks, bake this cake. After serving, but before eating, one must say "May God forgive St.Fanourius’ mother."  This cake is made without any animal products and is therefore vegan and suitable for post.

 

Variations: The plums add a lot of moisture to the cake but it can be made without them if you don’t like plums. You can also use fresh plums instead of compote. Or try a different type of compote like apricot or cherry.

 

Substitutions: Plum compote/Fresh plums. Brandy or Cognac/Rum flavoring or milk.