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This year we have a Greek classic for you. We celebrate Valentine’s Day with a recipe most of us Greeks know and love. We call it mosaiko, its name linking to marble floor patterns. Much loved in many other countries, it often evokes childhood memories of running around and playing games at children’s’ parties when it would often be served, and of course, parental love. So this Valentine’s Day, as we think of all the different kinds of love that exist out there, we decided to go back to this old classic.
In this recipe by the Greek pastry chef Stelios Parliaros, we used petit beurre biscuits, but any kind of buttery biscuit would work. In Greece it is made with Metaxa, the favourite amber spirit which gives mosaiko its unique flavour and aroma. It is also very easy to make as no baking is needed. So, no matter how you are spending this Valentine’s Day, you can’t go wrong with a chocolatey, delicious dessert.
Makes 1 cake tin
350g biscuits
250g butter
190g powdered sugar
50g cocoa
2 eggs
60g Metaxa
In a large bowl crush the biscuits into very small pieces.
Place the butter in a medium-sized pot and melt over very low heat. Be careful as you need the butter melted but not brown. Remove from the heat, pour it in a large bowl and let it cool down a bit.
Sieve the powdered sugar and cocoa together.
Add to your bowl with the melted butter and whisk until incorporated. Add the eggs and Metaxa and whisk again until you have a smooth mixture.
Pour the mixture on your crushed biscuits and mix well using your hands for 3-4 minutes.
Place the mixture in a grease proof paper and roll it in a cylinder. Alternatively, you can place the greaseproof paper in a cake tin and place the mixture inside, pushing it down.
Place in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. Before serving cut into small pieces.
If you are making it for Valentine’s, you can put it in a heat-shaped tin and decorate it with sprinkles.
