for the dough: (you will have extra dough at the end)
2 cups flour (1 cup bread flour, 1 cup all purpose flour)
pinch of salt
2 tbs vegetable shortening
1 beaten egg
about 1/3 cup of warm water (you may need less or more)
for the filling: (you will need to make extra filling if you want to use it as garnish)
1 & 1/4 cups ground almonds
3 tbsp sugar
3/4 tsp cinnamon
for the syrup:
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 peels of orange rind
1/2 a cinnamon stick
5-6 cloves
3 tbs honey (after it boils you add honey)
1. Put your flour in a large bowl and add the salt. Add in the shortening, rubbing it between your fingers with the flour to combine it together. Make a well in the middle of your flour, and add your beaten egg. Begin to add your warm water in order to make a stiff dough. Knead the dough well for 10 minutes. Let the dough rest in a warm place for 1 hour.
2. While the dough is resting, make your filling. Combine the coarsely chopped almonds, cinnamon and sugar.
3. While the dough is resting, prepare the syrup. Slowly heat and stir the sugar, water, orange rind, cinnamon stick and cloves. Once it reaches a low boil, turn of the heat and let slightly cool. Then add the honey and stir the syrup. Then let the syrup cool before using.
4. Once the dough has rested, roll the dough out so that it is very thin. Place 1/2 tsp of filling in a little rectangle piece of dough about 5cm by 8cm. Fold over the dough lengthways to cover the filling. Secure the edges using your fork, as in the picture above. Make all of the ladies fingers this way.
5. On the stove, heat vegetable oil for frying. Once hot, add the ladies fingers a few at a time. They will fry very quickly, and sort of “bubble”. Once they turn golden brown, remove with a slotted spoon, and then quickly dip into the cool syrup. Then transfer into a serving tray and allow to cool. Once cool, sprinkle some of the filling mixture on top of the ladies fingers as garnish and serve.
To say I am envious of your food photography adventures would be an understatement! I would love to attend a food photography workshop one day… first I need to learn how to properly use my DSLR. I only bought my first one a year ago and I’m still trying to figure things out.
You sound so excited and inspired by your experiences with Aran and Luisa, which is wonderful. Good luck with updating your site Christina!
xoxo
Thanks Magda! I was actually hoping that one day we could maybe plan to host a Greek/Cypriot/Mediterranean Cooking/Photography Workshop together?!! PS Are you serious!?!? Your shots are fantastic, can’t believe you only bought your DSLR a year ago – it totally looks like you are on top of all the technical stuff! xxxxx
This is very inspiring, I would add cinnamon to “everything”! I’m struggling to find more time for cooking . . . but I must try this recipe! Already nose the fragrance!
Thanks Alexsandra! I know what you mean about smells! I imagine that too when I look at pictures – hahaha! xx