a tipical Italian Christmas cake from Siena: il Panforte

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Panforte is a very tipical Sienese cake that we eat during the Christmas time. The legend of panforte come from the catholic tradition and tells us that a very poor child went to Infant Jesus with only a piece of bread and some almonds. Saint Joseph blessed that present and it became a very delicious cake that we tell today panforte.
I’ll try to give you this easy recipe.Ingredients:
150 gr     dark chocolate
150 gr     powdered sugar
400 gr     peeled sweet almonds
40 gr        peeled bitter almonds
a handful of pine kernel
300 gr   honey
350 gr     mixed candied fruit
200 gr     flour
a pinch of pepper
2 tea spoons of powdered cinnamon
nutmeg
powdered sugar

Pound bitter and half quantity of sweet almonds. Turn on the oven to 180 degrees. Warm honey to the point that it becomes transparent, then put into all ingredients and mix them very well. Pay attention! you have to put the flour very slowly. Now, put the mixture into a thin and large backing pan. Bake about 30 min. to the point that the cake becomes solid and golden brown. Allow to cool and wait at table and Buon Appetito e BUONE FESTE!!!

Panforte can be go with a Vin Santo del Chianti Classico wine.