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Kok: A Small Greek Treat
Kok is a popular dessert in Greece, and is fairly easy to make. It’s also easy to find fresh ready-made kok at any zaxaroplasteio (pastry shop). A dessert fit for all occasions which is the reason for its popularity. Well that and of course the chocolate glaze. A thin layer of glaze made with melted chocolate and cream dresses its top. However, it’s the combination of vanilla pastry cream filling and chocolate topping is what gives it that defined balance of flavors. You can actually taste each component of the kok without any of it overpowering the other. An amazing experience for the tongue, wouldn’t you say?
You can also find a few other flavors of kok. Lots of pastry shops make a strawberry custard version topped with chocolate glaze which is seasonal, as well as a chocolate-filled kok rolled into coconut. The traditional flavored kok is that which no one seems to get enough of. So whatever flavor you decide to indulge in or bring as a gift to a friend it is sure to be a hit!
Enjoy!
Serves: 35 to 40 of these little treats can be made from one batch.
INGREDIENTS:
For the cookies:
2/3 cup of sugar
6 eggs, separated
1 cup of flour
6 1/4 tablespoons of cornstarch
For the filling:
1 cup + 100 ml of whole milk
2/3 cup of heavy cream
6 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon of sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/3 cup of cornstarch
For the syrup:
2/3 cup of water
3/4 cup of sugar
For the chocolate glaze:
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
5 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 ounces margarine
1 egg yolk, beaten
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 200C.
Cream 3/4 of the sugar and the egg yolks. Beat the remaining sugar and egg whites to stiff peak stage. Add half the egg white mixture to the egg yolk mixture, stir lightly and slowly add the the flour and cornstarch. When mixed, add the remaining egg white mixture.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a pastry bag, squeeze out small cookies the size and shape of vanilla wafers: circles about 4 cm in diameter and ½ cm high. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden. Cool on a rack.
Place milk and cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Combine sugar, cornflour, egg and egg yolk, and add 1/3 of the warmed milk and cream mixture before it boils. Stir well, then pour back into the saucepan and continue to stir. As soon as the cream melds and begins to bubble, remove from heat. Empty the cream into a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside to cool.
When the cream cools, stir gently with a wire whisk to soften, then place a small amount of cream (1-2 teaspoons) of cream on the flat side a cookie and place the flat side of another on top to create each pastry.
Boil the sugar and water together for 2 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then dip one side of the filled kok cookie in the syrup. Set aside, syrup side up, on wax paper.
Prepare the chocolate icing by melting the margarine and stir in all the ingredients but the egg yolk. When the mixture is smooth and well combined, stir in the egg yolk. Pour chocolate icing over the cakes. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving..
Dip the kok into the chocolate glaze on the same side as the syrup.
Refrigerate in a covered pan or dish for 1/2 hour before serving.
By Pam Kanavos
Greek May Day Customs And Traditions
Anthesteria included various processions were ancient Greeks would carry flowers to the sanctuaries and temples. The flower festival was first established in Athens and later in other ancient Greek cities. When the Romans arrived and conquered Greece, the May Day celebration continued to exist in some form but it was slightly changed, since both Romans and ancient Greeks believed that flowers represent the beauty of the gods and bring power, glory, happiness and health.
While the original meaning of May Day has evolved over the centuries, ancient Greek customs endure as cherished folk traditions. Today, May Day stands as a secular holiday celebrated across Europe, including Greece. One of the enduring customs in modern Greece involves crafting May Day wreaths from freshly picked flowers, adorning doorways until they naturally wither. This act of wreath-making serves as a reminder to reconnect with nature amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life.
In Epirus, on the eve of May Day, children venture into the gardens, banging on cooking utensils and reciting magical incantations to ward off snakes.
Another highly theatrical custom is the "Resurrection of the May Child," found in various regions. A teenager portrays the deceased Dionysus in the fields while the village girls sing a lamenting song aimed at resurrecting him and, along with him, reviving the entire nature.
Greek May Day customs and traditions offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of ancient beliefs and practices, weaving together elements of mythology, nature worship, and community celebration. As the world evolves, these timeless rituals continue to resonate, serving as a bridge between the past and the present, fostering a appreciation for the cyclical rhythms of life and the beauty of the natural world.
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To read this article in full, please visit: Greek TV
September 19 - News, Food, & More!
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Qatar Airways To Launch Flights To Mykonos, Greece May 2018
Athens Among The Greatest Cities For Eating Out
"Athens has a fine range of places to eat, ranging from down-to-earth traditional tavernas to upmarket restaurants serving fusion cuisine. The area of Plaka is undeniably pretty, though some of its restaurants are aimed at tourists and can be a little disappointing. The city centre is where you will find some excellent so-called modern tavernas, serving classic Greek dishes with a contemporary twist."
Open House Athens 2019
ACS Athens S.T.E.A.M. Team Returns To Space
ACS Athens students had to meet strict safety, size, and mass criteria in order for their experimental apparatus, containing ouzo, petimezi, electronics, and their 3D-printed container (designed and prototyped by one of the students) to be approved for a space flight, familiarizing themselves with real-world S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) investigations. Jaeho Nam, ACS Athens student and member of the spACS 2 team said: "I was fortunate to be a part of the spACS 2 team, and I personally think this experience not only provided me the opportunity to attain essential skills for a career in engineering but to learn the true meaning and value of teamwork."
The international team of ACS Athens, formed in 2018, consists of High School students, their educators - Dr. Antonios Karampelas, Dr. Ioannis Kerkines, Ms. Victoria Poulou, Mr. Spyros Arsenikos, and Dr. Liana Tsigaridi - and external collaborators (Mr. Panos Mazarakis, Mr. Ilias Botsios). As Dr. Karampelas, Principal Investigator, stated: "I am proud of my students who managed to complete such a challenging task and excited to have seen ouzo and petimezi flying into space for the first time in history."
More information on the conclusions of the experiment will follow, as they become available.
The video of the launch is available by Blue Origin
The ACS Athens team first presented the spACS experiment during the 2019 Athens Science Festival
To learn more about the experiment click here
To learn more about Blue Origin click here
"Greek Freak" Among High-Budget Movies Lined Up In Greece
The Athens Film Office was founded in March 2020 by the Municipality of Athens, under the "umbrella" of the Athens Development & Destination Management Agency (EATA) with the aim of transforming Athens into a “Film Friendly City”. During its first year of operation, it has assisted in the shooting of more than 40 international and Greek audiovisual productions in the Greek capital.
XpatAthens extends a warm thank you to This Is Athens and the City Of Athens for sharing news and inspiring stories about how Athens aspires to be a clean, friendly, and welcoming city to live in.
