Samali is a traditional Greek semolina dessert, flavoured with mastic and drenched in syrup. Some blanched almonds are used to decorate the cake on top.
This Lenten or vegan version of this dessert is a twist to a recipe I used to make in the restaurant called Samali or Kalon Prama in Cyprus, which we offered to our clients after their meal free of charge.
This time of the year we have a lot of mandarins in our yard so I made the syrup using mandarin juice.
If you like you can substitute it with orange juice. The mastic powder is what gives this dessert its distinct flavour.
I used some of the mastic I ground over 8 months ago and although mastic crystalizes, the method I used to store it keeps it perfect for months.
In this dessert apart from the mastic you can also sense the flavour of coconut.
Greasing the baking tin with tahini or tahini with carob syrup is optional but it adds additional flavour to the cake.
In order to make the dessert richer I decided to add some vegan whipped cream on top.
I used coconut cream and I was surprised to see how well it holds together and if you like the taste of coconut, it is superb.
If you want to skip the whipped cream, you can decorate the cake with blanched almonds before baking it, as in the traditional recipe.
The strawberry sauce is also optional but if you do add the whipped cream it goes well with the dessert.
You can find my Greek recipes in my cookbooks «More Than A Greek Salad», and«Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!» both available on all Amazon stores. Read more here.
You can find more Lenten or Vegan Recipes here.
Vegan Coconut Mandarin Samali (Semolina Cake) with Vegan Whipped Cream
Samali is a traditional Greek semolina dessert, flavoured with mastic and drenched in syrup.
Ingredients
For the syrup:
- 500 grams sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup mandarin juice
For the Semolina Cake:
- 1/2 kilo fine semolina
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup blanched and ground almonds
- 40 grams grated desiccated coconut
- 1 tsp mandarin zest
- 3 heaped tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp mastic powder with sugar
- 1/2 cup mandarin juice
- 1/2 cup sunflower oil
- 1/2 cup water
To grease the baking tin (optional):
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 1 tsp carob syrup
Vegan Whipped Cream:
- 1 can (400 ml) coconut cream
- 2 tsp icing sugar
- 1 packet vanilla sugar or 1 tsp vanilla essence
Instructions
- Put the coconut cream in the fridge the night before.
- Put all the syrup ingredients in a small pot and boil for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool .
- Mix the semolina together with the sugar, baking powder, the zest and mastic powder.
- Add all the liquid ingredients and mix well .
- Allow the mixture to sit for 2-3 hours covered .
- Mix the tahini with the carob syrup and coat a baking pan measuring 32 x 23cm (12 1/2 x 9 inches).
- Spread the cake in the pan and bake in a preheated, moderate oven to (160 ° C) until golden brown , about one hour .
- Pour the syrup on the hot cake and leave it to cool and absorb the syrup.
- Prepare the Vegan Whipped Cream.
- Decorate the cake as you like.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator up to one week.
- Serve with strawberry sauce (optional).
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 558Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 0mgSodium 216mgCarbohydrates 95gFiber 4gSugar 60gProtein 8g
Vegan Desserts
Some other vegan desserts you can try during Lent.
Vegan, Lactose Free and Gluten Free Ryzogalo (rice pudding)
This coconut rice pudding is not only vegan but also lactose free and gluten free but equally creamy and delicious as the classic one!
Daktyla (Ladies' fingers)
Daktyla, also called daktyla kyrion (meaning ladies fingers) is the most popular Cypriot dessert made with phyllo which is very crisp and very juicy, filled with almonds, cinnamon and sugar. They are fried and then drenched in syrup, scented with anthonero (orange blossom water), which make them irresistible.
Shiamishi and Assumption Day
Shiamishi, are one of the best panigyria treats in Cyprus. These are made with homemade phyllo filled with an aromatic, vegan, sweet semolina cream, which is flavoured with anthonero (orange blossom water) and mastic and then deep fried.
Vegan Carrot and Banana Cake with Coconut Frosting
A very moist, delicious and healthy Vegan Carrot Cake with Banana, Spices and topped with Coconut frosting and Bergamot fruit preserve.
Vegan Chocolate Avocado Orange Almond Cake
This vegan chocolate cake uses avocado and extra virgin olive oil instead of any other fat, it is loaded with chocolate flavor and and many other healthy ingredients.
PIN FOR LATER
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,
Anna
Wednesday 16th of April 2014
This looks wonderful! A very nice twist on the traditional Samali. I never thought of putting coconut whipped creme on it (tho I do use it for other desserts). Kalo Pascha!