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Elioti Cake (Tahini and Olives Cake)

Elioti Cake (Tahini and Olives Cake)

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Elioti Cake, is a quite unique vegan savory cake made with black olives and tahini, which is the only fat in the recipe, herbs, spices and orange juice, which makes it very healthy.

fresh herbs from the garden image

The first time I made this cake I used throumbes* olives but I have also made it with Kalamata olives, which is equally delicious.

*Throumbes (θρούμπες) is a variety of Greek black olives, which mature on the tree.

Throumbes olives image

They are the only olives which can be eaten directly from the tree when they are ripe and they are rather wrinkled.

These olives are often cured in salt so taste the olives and if they are salty, do not add any salt.

Apart from the time needed to pit the olives, which takes about half an hour, otherwise it is very easy and quick to make.

To save time, you can buy pitted olives.

All you need is a bowl and a whisk to make the cake.

Just put all the wet ingredients in the bowl, add the dry ingredients and mix to make a batter and then mix in the herbs and spices and bake.

This Elioti Cake was inspired by the Cypriot Eliopita.  

However, I have made it so many times, with so many twists that by now the only thing they have in common are the olives and the orange juice.  

Savory olives cake image

I added more herbs and the only fat in the recipe is tahini, which makes it very healthy and adds an amazing taste to the cake.

Elioti cake cut image

We love accompanying our Greek coffee with a piece of cake and since this week mostly the majority of Orthodox are fasting for Easter, this cake is perfect for breakfast or as a snack to accompany coffee, tea or with a glass of  juice or a glass of wine during lunch or dinner.

Update 2020

This year I made the same savory cake but I used Kalamata olives. I did not have any fresh herbs, so I just added some dry mint.

It turned out perfect.

As you can see in the picture, the cake looks much brighter as throumbes olives mash much easier, making the batter dark.

elioti cake with Kalamata olives
Elioti Cake, a Vegan Orange, Tahini and Olives Bread

Elioti Cake, a Vegan Orange, Tahini and Olives Bread

Yield: 12 pieces
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Elioti Cake, is a quite unique vegan savory cake made with black olives, called throumbes, tahini, which is the only fat in the recipe, herbs, spices and orange juice, which makes it very healthy.

Ingredients

  • 300 grams throumbes* (or Kalamata) olives, pitted and finely chopped
  • 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 green onions, with part of green leaves as well, finely chopped
  • 1 sprig fresh mint, finely chopped or 1 tbsp dried mint
  • 1 sprig fresh oregano, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 spring fresh rosemary, finely chopped (optional)

Wet ingredients:

  • 90 grams tahini
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

Dry ingredients:

  • 300 grams all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Spices:

  • 1 tbsp flaxseed
  • 1 tbsp dried coriander
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Put the spices in a spice grinder and powder them.
  2. Combine all the dry ingredients with the spices and mix them with a balloon whisk.
  3. Heat half the water and dissolve the tahini. Add the remaining water and set aside to cool.
  4. Add the tahini as well as the remaining wet ingredients and mix to make a batter.
  5. Add the olives and the herbs and mix to combine.
  6. Preheat oven to 180o C.
  7. Empty the batter in a 22 cm silicone or other round cake Bundt form and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check the cake by inserting a knife in the centre of the cake, until it comes out clean.
  8. Remove to a rack to cool before unmolding.

Notes

*Throumbes (θρ°ÏÎ¼Ï€ÎµÏ‚) is a variety of Greek black olives, which mature on the tree. They are the only olives which can be eaten directly from the tree when they are ripe and they are rather wrinkled. These olives are often cured in salt.

I have also made this cake with Kalamata olives and it is equally delicious.

Taste the olives and if they are salty do not add salt. I washed and dried them before pitting them.

Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 193Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 517mgCarbohydrates 28gFiber 4gSugar 3gProtein 5g

Did you make this recipe?

Tried this recipe? Tag me @ivyliac and use the hashtag #kopiaste!

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Collage Elioti Cake image

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Mihail

Friday 7th of April 2017

Olives in a dessert? Seems odd, but on the other hand, you never published a recipe I didn't enjoy.

Ivy

Sunday 9th of April 2017

It's a savoury cake.

Andree

Thursday 16th of March 2017

This looks really yummy!

Shahbaz Khan

Thursday 16th of March 2017

Great recipe Post. We always look for new ways of incorporating herbs in my dishes and this one definitely looks good. Will make it soon. I will have to use spanish black olives as in India Greek olives are not sold

Aimee

Friday 10th of March 2017

Definitely a good recipe to try!

Ivy

Friday 10th of March 2017

Thank you Aimee!

Marie Green

Wednesday 14th of December 2016

I have never heard of a cake with olives! Olives are one of my favorite foods and the nutrition benefits are great so I am beyond excited to try this recipe. Quick question, can this also be made with green olives or are black olives better?

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