Recipe – Fanouropita – Greek Lost and Found Cake

 

Until I watched Katerina (Not only a top chef, owner of the popular Maistrali Taverna Loutraki but also a mine of information) make this symbolic cake I had no idea about the wonderful story behind Saint Fanourios (Phanourios) and the Fanouropita (Phanouropita): the Greek lost and found cake.

 In Greece, the Fanouropita is baked on the eve of the Feast Day of Saint Fanourios, the twenty seventh of August.

As we made this cake way back in November and I didn’t take notes I badgered Katerina by phone, during her busiest month; August asking for details so I dedicate this post to Katerina!

 

 

The Fanouropita is traditionally a Lenten cake but many variations of the recipe are to be found.

 

 

Why is the Fanouropita is called The lost and found cake?

 

The Fanouropita is called the lost and found cake because it is associated with Saint Fanourios the holy martyr and miracle worker, whose name comes from the Greek word “Fanerono”, meaning; I reveal.

Fanourios is the Saint of lost things, lost souls, lost anything really, who, if you say a prayer to him  will reveal things you were careless enough to misplace!

Before the discovery of a small icon depicting Saint Fanourios was found on the Greek island of Rhodes in around 1500 AD, on the twenty seventh of August, not much was known about him at all.

 

Saint Fanourios and his mother

 

 

Saint Fanourios’ mother was allegedly a scarlet woman, a sinner, a cruel and impatient woman, with no time for the poor whom she treated in a most inhuman way.

Saint Fanourios, despite all her faults, loved his mother and tried his best to save her, to make her change her ways but all to no avail and consequently, after her death, she went straight to hell.

Even on being stoned to death for defending and spreading the Christian faith Saint Fanourios did not ask God’s help for himself but begged God to forgive his mother, to grant her salvation, save her soul and let her rest in peace.

 

 

Traditionally the lost and found cake – Fanouropita, is baked on the twenty sixth of August, the eve of the Feast Day of Saint Fanourios, in memory of the saints’ mother, in order that her soul maybe saved and she can rest in peace.

 

The sacred mysteries of the Greek Orthodox Church

 

The cake is prepared with either seven or nine ingredients, symbolizing the seven (Or sometimes nine) sacred mysteries of The Greek Orthodox Church, named the sacraments in the Western church, or, the seven days of creation.

 

 

The seven sacred mysteries are:

 

1. Baptism

2. Confirmation

3. Confession

4. Holy Communion

5. Marriage

6. Ordination (Holy Orders)

7. Unction (The anointing of the sick)

 

The other two sacred mysteries seem to vary, as anything the Church does, is classed as sacred but ithey are usually consecration of the Church and the burial of the dead.

 

Katerina’s (Maistrali Loutraki) Recipe for Fanouropita with 9 Ingredients

 

 

 

It is conventional for the cake to be made with only 7 or 9 ingredients (We’re sticking to the rules, our cake has 9 ingredients!), considered sacred numbers in ancient times and when served the cake must be cut into 40 pieces.

Simple and easy to prepare; throw all ingredients into a bowl, mix and bake!

 

Ingredients

 

500 g Self rising flour

250 ml Water

250 g Sugar

200 g Olive oil

250 g Chopped walnuts

250 g Raisins

2 tsp Baking powder

1 tsp Ground cinnamon

Zest and juice of 1 orange

 

Tips

 

No tips needed really for this recipe, it’s just so easy, what could go wrong?

Well maybe only one thing, don’t be tempted to have a peek at the cake before at least 30 minutes cooking time has passed, opening the oven door, before this, letting in cold air, could cause the cake to sink.

 

Method

 

Heat oven to 150 degrees C

Put all ingredients into a bowl and mix together well.

Pour cake batter into a round,10 inch diameter x 2  baking dish, or tin and bake for 1 hour.

Keep to tradition and cut the cake into 40 pieces!

 

Cutting and eating the Fanouropita

 

After being blessed in the Church the cake is cut into forty pieces, symbolising the forty days of the soul in purgatory and shared among neighbours, friends and family; it should be eaten by at least seven people.

In Crete, Cyprus, the island of Skiathos and in Florina, it is said that the sharing of “Fanouropita” will help unmarried girls to find a husband.

Others bake the cake to help people find their right path in life, for good luck and to help farmers find stolen animals.

 

 

 

 

Related links:

Saints and Celebrations of the Greek Orthodox Church