Ladopita (Semolina Pie) Recipe 🥧
Overview:
Ladopita, a traditional Greek delight, is a cherished dessert often prepared on special occasions like New Year’s Day, engagement parties, weddings, birthdays, and name days. It serves as a delightful alternative to the customary Vasilopita (New Year’s cake), containing a hidden coin that promises good luck to the finder throughout the year. This recipe promises a tantalizing blend of flavors, marrying the sweetness of sugar with the earthy richness of semolina, all encased in a golden crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Servings: Varies
Ingredients:
- 3 cups olive oil
- 3 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups semolina
- Cinnamon, for sprinkling
- Sesame seeds, for topping
- Almonds, for garnish
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Keep the syrup warm while preparing the rest of the recipe.
-
Prepare the Semolina Mixture:
- Reserve about 2 fingers’ width of olive oil and heat the remaining oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Gradually add the semolina to the heated oil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
- Continue stirring until the mixture thickens, becomes creamy, and turns a golden brown color.
-
Incorporate the Syrup:
- Slowly pour the warm syrup into the semolina mixture, stirring continuously until all the liquid has evaporated.
- The mixture should resemble a tender halva consistency.
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Assemble the Pie:
- Preheat the oven to a medium temperature.
- Transfer the semolina mixture into a greased baking pan, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top of the mixture.
- Using a knife, carve the pie into rhombus shapes.
- Place an almond in the center of each rhombus.
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Bake the Pie:
- Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the pie is golden brown and set.
- To check for doneness, insert a knife into the pie; if it comes out clean and the dough pulls away easily from the sides, the pie is ready.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Once baked, remove the ladopita from the oven and allow it to cool.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and additional sugar, if desired.
- Slice and serve the ladopita as a delightful dessert for any special occasion or celebration.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 2108.3
- Fat: 110.6g
- Saturated Fat: 15.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 9.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 250.9g
- Fiber: 7.3g
- Sugar: 50.6g
- Protein: 27.6g
Indulge in the rich flavors and cultural heritage of Greece with this exquisite ladopita recipe. Whether it’s New Year’s Day or a joyous celebration, this semolina pie is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving for more!