FOOD FRIDAY - LENTEN FRUIT SLICE

“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” - Laura Ingalls Wilder

This being Lent, it is of special significance for those of the Orthodox faith, as dietary rules prevail during the 50 days or so of Lenten fast. Therefore it’s topical to have a Greek Lenten recipe, that is not only delicious, but adheres to the fasting rules that are prescribed (no eggs, no dairy products, no animal products). It is wickedly sweet and fruity with a spicy aroma. You needn’t eat much to satisfy your sweet tooth, and a small piece goes a long way!

ATHENIAN LENTEN FRUIT SLICE
Ingredients
For the dough:
250 g flour (half plain, half self-raising)
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoonfuls sugar
Pinch of salt
Cold water to mix
Zest of one lemon

For the filling:
1/3 cup of sultanas
1/3 cup of chopped, glace cherries
1/3 cup of chopped, dried figs
1/3 cup of chopped, dried apricots
1/3 cup of diced, mixed peel
1/3 cup of chopped, dried dates
1/3 cup of chopped walnuts
Ground cinnamon, cloves
Orange marmalade, apricot jam

Method
Mix the flour, lemon zest and sugar thoroughly, making a well in the centre.  Pour the oil in the well and knead to form a crumbly mixture.  Add enough water to form a stiff dough.  Roll out to form a rectangle 30 cm by 20 cm. Leave dough to rest while making the filling. Mix together the fruit and nuts, and spices and bind together with the jam and marmalade.

Take a 30x15 cm slice tray and grease well. Line with baking paper. Roll half the dough into a thin sheet and line the bottom and sides of the pan. Spoon the filling mixture into the pastry shell. Roll the rest of the dough into a sheet and cover the filling. Press the edges of the dough together and prick the top of the dough several times with a fork. Glaze with apricot jam and dust with cinnamon.  Bake in a hot oven (230˚C) for about half an hour until golden brown. When cool, cut into small squares.

This post is part of the Food Friday meme,
and also part of the Food Trip Friday meme.