Ladopita (semolina pie)

This is a traditional greek pie,we usually make it on New Years Day in place of the traditional Vasilopita (New Years cake) and place a coin in it, so that whoever finds it will have good luck for the rest of the year. But they also serve it on special occasions, engagement parties, weddings, birthdays and name days.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 3  cups olive oil
• 3  cups water
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
•  sesame
•  cinnamon
•  almonds, peeled and whole
• 1 1⁄2 kg flour, approximately
• 1⁄2 cup semolina

Directions

1. Boil the water with the sugar for 10 minutes and keep it warm.
2. Place the oil (but first save approximately 2 fingers from the third glass) in a pot and heat it.
3. Slowly put the flour in the oil and constantly stir with a wooden scoop on a medium temperature until it becomes thick, creamy and gets a golden brown colour.
4. We then slowly add the warm syrup we saved and continue to stir until all the liquids have evaporated.
5. It then becomes a tender halva.
6. Place it in a baking pan and sprinkle on top the sesame, then carve the pie in rhombus shapes and put an almond in each rhomb.
7. Bake in a medium temperature in the oven for approximately an hour.
8. Test with a knife to see if the pie is ready when the dough comes off the sides easily.
9. Sprinkle with cinnamon and some sugar, and serve when it has cooled.