Celebrating National Dessert Day

National Dessert Day is a beloved holiday for anyone with a sweet tooth. This delectable day, celebrated on October 14th each year, allows us to indulge in the world of sweet treats and savor the wide variety of desserts that tantalize our taste buds. From classic favorites like apple pie to trendy creations like gourmet cupcakes, National Dessert Day is a perfect opportunity to explore and celebrate the rich history and diverse flavors of desserts.

The Origins of National Dessert Day

National Dessert Day has a fascinating history. While the origins of this delectable holiday are somewhat shrouded in mystery, it is clear that dessert itself has a long and storied past.

The term "dessert" finds its roots in the French word "desservir," which means "to clear the table." Traditionally, dessert is served after the main course as a delightful way to end a meal. However, the concept of enjoying something sweet after a meal dates back even further.

Ancient Civilizations and Early Sweets

Sweetness in food has been a part of human culture for centuries. In ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, offerings of dried fruits and honey were made as acts of worship to their gods. This early form of dessert was both a culinary delight and a symbol of reverence.

The Ancient Greeks, in particular, made significant contributions to the world of desserts. They created a sweet bread known as "plakous," a cake-like dish made with nuts and honey. It's also believed that they may have been the inventors of pie, as mentioned in the plays of Aristophanes, where he refers to sweetmeats and pastries filled with fruit.

Lets celebrate National Dessert day with on of our Favourites.

Greek Halva Recipe

The traditional semolina based Greek halva recipe is often referred as “1:2:3:4″, as it calls for one unit oil, two semolina, three sugar and four water. So simple! If you haven’t tried semolina Greek halva before, you will be surprised by the delicious taste of those 4 humble ingredients, when combined.. When preparing a Greek halva recipe, the semolina is firstly toasted in oil, bringing an irresistible smell and then soaked in hot syrup, with the aromas and blends of cinnamon and clove. Simply delicious! So if you are looking for a delicious no-dairy, no-butter and egg-free dessert, that’s the one!

Ingredients

• 8 cups of sugar
• 8 cinnamon sticks
• 8 cloves
• Cup of honey
• 1 cup of olive oil
• 2 cups of semolina
• A cup of walnuts

Method

• STEP 1In a pot, add the 4 cups of water, 8 cups sugar, 8 cinnamon stick, 8 cloves, and bring to boil for 5 minutes, turn off the heat and add the honey.
• STEP 2In a deep pot, on medium to high heat add the extra virgin olive oil and 2 cups of semolina. Constantly stir with a wooden spatula until the color changes from a golden blonde to a golden brown.
• STEP 3Once the color changes add the 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Stir.
• STEP 4Very carefully, slowly add small amounts of the simple syrup to the semolina (the hot syrup will steam and splatter so be careful).
• STEP 5On a medium-low heat, continually stir until the mixture thickens. Add the almonds and stir.
• STEP 6Transfer to a cake pan and let it cool. Turn over onto a cake platter and dust with cinnamon.