panpepato

I've read that this is a Roman Christmas favourite. It's filled with nuts and fruit, sweetened with honey and wine, and dark with chocolate.

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp each pepper and ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 2-1/2 cups each whole unblanched almonds and hazelnuts
• 2-1/2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1-1/2 cups golden raisins
• 1-1/4 cup candied fruit
• 2/3 cup minced orange rind
• 1 cup liquid honey
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 3 oz semisweet chocolate, melted
• icing sugar

In a small bowl, blend flour, cocoa, pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon; set aside. In separate bowl, combine almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, raisins, candied fruit and orange rind; set asid.

In large saucepan, bring honey, sugar, and wine to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate. Blend in flour mixture, then nut mixture.

Divide into 3 portions; place each on on waxed paper. With wet hands, shape into 10 x 4 inch logs, pressing to break air bubbles and pushing in any exposed nuts. (you wouldn't want yor nuts showing, afterall). Peel off paper; place on greased baking sheet.

Place in cold oven; turn to 350 F and bake for 40 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool for 10 minutes; let cool completely on racks. Wrap in plastic and foil; let stand for 24 hours

To serve, sift icing sugar over top.

So...try it yourself, or show up to tapas on Friday. I'll be serving it with the coffee at about 9 or 10.