SC - Panforte - OOP but perioid

[Decker, Terry D.]

Attending Wiesenfeuer Yule Revel in Oklahoma City this past weekend, I
produced a couple of items for the potluck feast.  The first was a four
pound braided loaf with raisins stuffed in the braids.  The second was
panforte.  

On the basis of limited documentation which may be apocryphal, panforte
seems to be traceable to a tithe paid by the tenants of the Monastery of
Montecellesi in Siena to the monastery which called for a number of
panpepati e meilati or pepper and honey breads.  The tithe was paid February
7, 1205.

This recipe, while not provable Medieval, is similar to period gingerbreads.
The result is very rich and should be served in small pieces.

Bear

Panforte

2 cups blanched, toasted almonds, coarsely chopped or slivered
1 cup raisins, Zante raisins (currants), or golden raisins
1 cup chopped dates
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons butter


Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, set aside.
Grease a 9 to 11 inch springform or tart pan with a removable bottom.  Line
it with baker's parchment and grease the parchment.
Combine the sugar, honey and butter in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil
over medium heat.  When the syrup is between the soft and firm ball stages
(about 245 degrees F), thoroughly mix the syrup into the dry ingredients to
make a stiff batter.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.  Spread and smooth it.
Bake in a pre-heated 300 degree F oven for about 40 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool about 15 minutes.  Separate the walls from
the base.
Allow the panforte to cool on the base.
Remove from base.  Peel off parchment and serve.


	

============================================================================

To be removed from the SCA-Cooks mailing list, please send a message to
Majordomo at Ansteorra.ORG with the message body of "unsubscribe SCA-Cooks".

============================================================================