Melópita – Honey pie from Sifnos island

 

    Sifnos, located in the south Aegean sea, is a beautiful island famous for its ceramic workshops; ceramic bowls, plates, vases and cooking pots that bake wonderful oven stews.

     Al though it can be also found in other Aegean islands, honey pie is famous as a specialty of Sifnos. It is one of those traditional desserts made with simple ingredients found in any agricultural community: homemade myzithra cheese, honey (μέλι) from their own bees and free range eggs. These ingredients were enough to make people creative and turn an old fashioned cheesecake into something we may nowadays call a gourmet dessert. The addition of more honey and some cinnamon when served makes it even more impressive. 
    Myzithra (also called anthótyro)  is a low fat soft and fresh cheese made from both goat and sheep's milk, but if you can't find it abroad it could be substituted by Italian ricotta cheese with similar results.

Melópita

Serves 6
I used a 20cm,  round baking pan

600gr soft myzithra cheese (or ricotta)
150gr honey
3 eggs
1Tbsp corn flour
½ tsp salt
vanilla or lemon zest for flavor

more honey and cinnamon to serve (optional)


Preheat the oven to 180 C.
In a bowl mix all ingredients with a whisk wire or just a fork, until completely incorporated.
Brush a baking pan with oil or butter and pour the Melópita batter in.
Bake  for 40 min or until golden.
Serve Melópita warm or at room temperature drizzled with honey and dusted with cinnamon.