flipMelitoutta — Honey and Cheese Cakes for the Gods
Melitoutta — Honey and Cheese Cakes for the Gods
Why this dish? Inspired by the honey cakes that Greeks placed on altars, these sweets evoke offerings made to the gods — and to Heracles himself, who, as a deified hero, received his own cult and votive cakes.
Small, soft cakes of flour, fresh cheese and honey, flavored with sesame. The sweetness of the Greeks, offered to the gods before being shared by the faithful.
Do not think I knew only sweat and blood. When I am honored today on altars, it is with these little honey cakes that they regale me — I who, in my lifetime, gave so much back to the gods! You mix the flour with fresh cheese, drown it all in golden honey, sprinkle with sesame, and let it brown gently. First set them aside for the Immortals out of respect — then, believe me, do not hesitate to taste a few yourself.
- •Wheat flour — one measure (base)
- •Fresh goat or sheep cheese — equal parts (softness)
- •Honey — generously (sweetness)
- •Sesame seeds — a handful (garnish)
Melitoutta — Honey and Cheese Cakes for the Gods
Small, soft cakes of flour, fresh cheese and honey, flavored with sesame. The sweetness of the Greeks, offered to the gods before being shared by the faithful.
Why this dish? Inspired by the honey cakes that Greeks placed on altars, these sweets evoke offerings made to the gods — and to Heracles himself, who, as a deified hero, received his own cult and votive cakes.
Do not think I knew only sweat and blood. When I am honored today on altars, it is with these little honey cakes that they regale me — I who, in my lifetime, gave so much back to the gods! You mix the flour with fresh cheese, drown it all in golden honey, sprinkle with sesame, and let it brown gently. First set them aside for the Immortals out of respect — then, believe me, do not hesitate to taste a few yourself.
Ingredients (period version)
- Wheat flour — one measure (base)
- Fresh goat or sheep cheese — equal parts (softness)
- Honey — generously (sweetness)
- Sesame seeds — a handful (garnish)
Ingredients
- Wheat flour — 150 g (base)
- Fresh cheese (ricotta, fromage blanc or fresh goat cheese) — 150 g (softness)
- Honey — 4 tbsp (+ extra for drizzling) (sweetness)
- Egg — 1 (binder)
- Sesame seeds — 2 tbsp (garnish)
Method
- Mix the fresh cheese, egg and 2 tbsp honey until smooth.
- Incorporate the flour to obtain a soft dough; shape into small domes.
- Place on a baking sheet, sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake at 180°C for 18 to 20 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and drizzle with the remaining warm honey. Let cool slightly before serving.
How it was made : The Greeks offered all kinds of cakes (pemmata, plakous, melitoutta) made from flour, honey, cheese and sesame — sweeteners being limited to honey and fruit, as sugar was unknown. These offerings were often eaten afterward by the participants in the rite.
The contemporary twist : Arranged in a pyramid like an "Olympian offering," dusted with golden sesame and drizzled with wildflower honey at serving.
Sources : Athenaeus of Naucratis, The Deipnosophists (Book XIV, catalogue of Greek cakes) · Andrew Dalby & Sally Grainger, The Classical Cookbook, British Museum Press, 1996
Hercules · Charactorium