Honey-Sesame Cakes to Appease the Sea (popana)
Small round honey-sesame cakes, golden and sticky, like those placed on altars to honor the gods. Inspired by Greek offerings, without reproducing a sacred rite.
Small round honey-sesame cakes, golden and sticky, like those placed on altars to honor the gods. Inspired by Greek offerings, without reproducing a sacred rite.
When the sea roars and the waves rise against our shores, we people of Cepheus do not stand empty-handed before the gods. We knead fine wheat flour with honey and toasted sesame seeds, shape small round cakes, and set them down to appease Poseidon, lord of the waves. Alas, the monster demanded far more than a honey cake — but know that sweetness offered with a good heart has often touched the hearts of the Immortals.
- •Wheat flour — two handfuls (base)
- •Honey — generously (sweet binder)
- •Sesame seeds — a handful (flavor and crunch)
- •Olive oil — a little (softness)
Honey-Sesame Cakes to Appease the Sea (popana)
Small round honey-sesame cakes, golden and sticky, like those placed on altars to honor the gods. Inspired by Greek offerings, without reproducing a sacred rite.
Why this dish? Before Andromeda was chained to the rock, her people sought to appease the wrath of the sea and Poseidon. Greeks presented small honey cakes to the sea gods — sweets offered to sway the powers of the waves.
When the sea roars and the waves rise against our shores, we people of Cepheus do not stand empty-handed before the gods. We knead fine wheat flour with honey and toasted sesame seeds, shape small round cakes, and set them down to appease Poseidon, lord of the waves. Alas, the monster demanded far more than a honey cake — but know that sweetness offered with a good heart has often touched the hearts of the Immortals.
Ingredients (period version)
- Wheat flour — two handfuls (base)
- Honey — generously (sweet binder)
- Sesame seeds — a handful (flavor and crunch)
- Olive oil — a little (softness)
Ingredients
- Wheat flour — 150 g (base)
- Honey — 100 g (+ a little for drizzling) (binder and sweetener)
- Sesame seeds — 50 g (flavor and crunch)
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp (softness)
- Water — a little if needed (binder)
Method
- Toast the sesame seeds dry until golden and fragrant.
- Mix flour, olive oil, honey, and half the sesame seeds; add a little water if needed for a pliable dough.
- Shape small flattened balls and roll them in the remaining sesame seeds.
- Bake at 170 °C for about 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.
- When out of the oven, drizzle with warm honey and let cool until sticky.
How it was made : Greeks offered cakes called popana or pelanos to the gods, made from flour, honey, and sometimes sesame or oil. Sesame and honey were associated with celebrations and blessing rites, symbols of abundance and sweetness.
The contemporary twist : Served stacked in a pyramid with a veil of fleur de sel, 'Altar Sweets' style, as a festive dessert.
Sources : Athenaeus of Naucratis, The Deipnosophists (on cakes and offerings) · Andrew Dalby, Siren Feasts (1996)
Andromeda · Charactorium
