Honey biscuits (Melomakarona)
Melomakarona, like kourambiethes, are traditional Christmas sweets. 2 cups Sitia Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1/2 cup caster sugar 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 cups fresh orange and mandarin juice 1 teaspoon orange zest 1 tablespoon cinnamon and clove powder 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely ground (optional) 1 cup fine semolina 2 1/2 lbs all purpose flour Syrup: 1 cup honey 1 cup sugar 2 cups water 1 cup roasted and ground sesame seeds or walnuts 1 teaspoon ground cinnamonIn a large bowl, beat the olive oil with sugar and honey. Add the orange zest, cinnamon and clove, baking soda and baking powder diluted in the juice, walnuts and semolina, beating the mixture along the way. Slowly add flour until the dough is soft and malleable. Cover and let the dough stand for 30 minutes.
Take pieces of dough the size of a small egg and form rounded oblong biscuits. Place on a baking sheet and bake in moderate heat (350° F) for about 20 minutes or until they are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool.
While the melomakarona are cooling, prepare the syrup by combining the sugar, honey and water in a pot and boil them for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat, dip the melomakarona in the syrup and allow them to soak for 1 minute. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place on a serving tray. While they are still wet, sprinkle them with ground sesame seeds or walnuts and ground cinnamon.