Are you looking for a delectable and easy dessert to bake? Look no further than Portokalopita, a traditional Greek orange pie that's bursting with aromatic flavors. I discovered this delightful recipe during my visit to the picturesque island of Tinos.
To ensure your Portokalopita turns out perfectly, here are some valuable tips:
- Prepare the Phyllo Dough: Start by drying the phyllo dough sheets before use. Lay them out on a large surface to air-dry or speed up the process by using the oven.
- Mastering the Syrup: When crafting the syrup, refrain from stirring once it begins to boil. Let the sugar melt completely, allowing it to boil for 5-10 minutes until it slightly thickens. Ensure the syrup is cold when pouring it over the warm Portokalopita.
- Pouring Perfection: Use a tablespoon to slowly and evenly pour the syrup over the orange pie. This ensures that the pie absorbs the syrup evenly.
- Patience is a Virtue: Allow the pie to cool down before cutting it into pieces. Ideally, refrigerate the Portokalopita for about an hour before serving.
- And here's a bonus tip: Portokalopita pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
This Greek orange cake, classified as a "syropiasta," requires just 20 minutes of preparation, approximately 30 minutes of baking time, and an hour of waiting time. Enjoy this sweet, citrusy delight that captures the essence of Greek cuisine.
Portokalopita – Ingredients
- 1 pack of phyllo dough
- 200 gr of Greek yogurt with 2% fat
- 4 eggs
- 1 glass of corn oil
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1-2 vanilla extracts
- 20 g of baking powder
- The zest of one orange
For the Syrup
- 3 glasses of water
- 2 cups of sugar
- One cinnamon stick
- The peel of an orange
Portokalopita - Instructions
- Start this authentic Greek portokalopita recipe by taking a bowl and adding Greek yogurt, eggs, sugar, vanilla extracts, baking powder, and orange zest.
- Stir well the ingredients until you get a homogeneous and unified mixture.
- Cut the phyllo dough into small pieces and add them to the portokalopita mixture. Stir well.
- Preheat the oven to 180 - 200 degrees Celsius.
- Take a baking pan and grease it well.
- Add the mixture and bake for about 30 minutes.
- Take a saucepan and add the syrup materials. Boil the materials for around 5-10 minutes without stirring until it slightly thickens.
- Remove the Greek orange cake and with the help of a knife cut it into pieces without removing it from the baking pan.
- When the syrup is cooled, with the help of a tablespoon slowly pour it over the portokapolita.
- Ready to serve.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I got this authentic portokalopita recipe from my last trip to Tinos. This trip was an unexpected surprise to me. I knew Tinos from the famous Sacred Shrine of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Church (Church of Evangelistria). This is one of the most popular and visited pilgrimage destinations of Greek Orthodox.
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| Church of Evangelistria |
What I did not know was that Tinos is full of beautiful villages, each being unique and different from the other. I could not visit all of them on my last trip, but here are some that I managed to go to! If you enjoy the view, you should visit Isternia and Dyo Horia as the view from both of these villages is breathtaking.
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| The view from Isternia |
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| The view from Dyo Horia |
Volax (Βώλαξ) on the other hand is a village surrounded by hills. Its uniqueness lies in the huge rocks that surround the village, making it look like a lunar landscape.
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| The lunar landscape of Volax |
Pyrgos, which is the birth village of the infamous Yannoulis Chalepas, is the most beautiful of all! In case you do not know, Yannoulis Chalepas was a Greek sculptor and a significant figure of Modern Greek art. Everyhing in the village is made from marble, as most of its residents in the past were marble hewers, making it look like a living museum. You can spend literally hundreds of hours just observing the houses and the roads.
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| Pyrgos |
Whether you're savoring a slice of Portokalopita as a sweet ending to a Mediterranean meal or treating yourself to a delightful snack, this Greek orange pie will never disappoint. With its zesty orange flavor, syrupy goodness, and a hint of tradition from Tinos, every bite is a taste of Greece's culinary heritage. So, why wait? Whip up your own Portokalopita, and let your taste buds embark on a journey to the sunny shores of Greece, one delicious slice at a time. If you liked it, you should try this revani recipe. Enjoy!