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Greek Farina Cake

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HERE COMES THE BODY, the first book in the brand new Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico (aka award-winning author Ellen Byron) combines the perfect balance of a clever mystery, zany characters, and witty humor. It captured my imagination and my attention so thoroughly, I didn’t want to put it down until I’d read the very last word. As the daughter of a mobster (who’s trying to go straight), protagonist Mia Carina has developed a very strong personality and has what it takes to meet life head-on and then move on (like being a person of interest in her cheating husband’s disappearance). The smart-alecky responses to situations Mia finds herself in, provides plenty of laugh out loud moments, while heart-felt scenes concerning her missing parakeet brings an emotional depth to the story. I greatly enjoyed that the author embraces the vibes of Queens, New York, instead of focusing on the typical pretentiousness of Manhattan. The way she weaves the comparisons into the story provides another layer of humor.

The author’s descriptive voice makes the setting come alive so I felt like I was visiting the Astoria neighborhood as she captures the flavors of the Italian and Greek residents. And oh what fun those senior neighborhood women are! Heading up the “Army” is Mia’s elderly Italian grandmother, Elisabetta. She and her friends add another dimension of humor to the story. Don’t think for a moment that since the story is filled with humor and entertaining characters, that the mystery has been overlooked. It hasn’t in the least. HERE COMES THE BODY is well-plotted with sub-plots that intertwine with the main murder mystery, and plenty of shady characters to keep the reader guessing. Ms. DiRico touches on crime themes that many cozy mysteries might shy away from. It has a bit of an edgier feel than a typical “English Village” cozy, yet she makes it work beautifully and I am eager to read future books in this new series!

Mia’s grandmother, along with the other elderly women in the neighborhood, are all great cooks. There is always an offer (or push) to eat with them and lots of yummy dishes mentioned in the book. Ms. DiRico provides a few recipes at the back of the book and I was drawn to the recipe for Farina Greek Cake. With the addition of a honey and orange zest syrup soaked into the baked cake, I was sure this cake had to be moist, flavorful and delicious… and I was right! I did have to utilize Google to find out what Farina is and much to my surprise, it’s Cream of Wheat… which makes this a pantry staple type of dessert. Easy to make, the honey syrup adds a lovely flavor and texture to this dense-style cake. It also made it possible to eat over several days without the cake getting stale. A dollop of whipped cream and a few sprinkles of pistachios for garnish, Farina Greek Cake is a sweet ending to any supper.

 

Greek Farina Cake is made from pantry and refrigerated staples and then drenched in a honey, orange zest syrup, which results in a supremely moist and flavorful dessert. Recipe shared with permission granted by Maria DiRico, author of HERE COMES THE BODY.

 

 

Amazon Synopsis

After her philandering husband’s boat went down, newly single Mia Carina went back to Astoria, the bustling Queens neighborhood of her youth. Living with her nonna and her oversized cat, Doorstop, she’s got a whole new life—including some amateur sleuthing . . .

Mia is starting work at Belle View, her father’s catering hall, a popular spot for weddings, office parties, and more—despite the planes that occasionally roar overhead on their way to LaGuardia and rattle the crystal chandelier. Soon she’s planning a bachelor party for a less-than-gentlemanly groom. But it goes awry when the gigantic cake is wheeled in and a deadly surprise is revealed . . .

Since some of her family’s associates are on the shady side, the NYPD wastes no time in casting suspicion on Mia’s father. Now, Mia’s going to have to use all her street smarts to keep him out of Rikers Island . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Maria DiRico for providing one winner with a print copy of HERE COMES THE BODY. Contest ends Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

 

 

 

 

 

Greek Farina Cake is made from pantry and refrigerated staples and then drenched in a honey, orange zest syrup, which results in a supremely moist and flavorful dessert. Recipe shared with permission granted by Maria DiRico, author of HERE COMES THE BODY.

Print
Greek Farina Cake

Serves 16

Ingredients
Ingredients for the Cake
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 6 eggs
  • 3/4 cup regular, uncooked farina
Ingredients for the Syrup
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1/4 cup honey
Optional
  • Whipped cream
  • Crushed pistachio nuts
Instructions
Instructions for the Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).

  2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

  3. Cream the butter with an electric mixer. Slowly add the sugar, then add the eggs one at a time at slow speed, making sure to beat well after adding each egg.

  4. While running the mixer on medium speed, slowly add the flour mixture, and then the farina. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

  5. Pour batter into an 8" x 8" baking pan and bake for 35 - 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted to test it comes out clean.

Instructions for the Syrup

  1. While the cake is baking, combine the water, sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and honey in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. You can simmer it for the duration of the cake's baking time. If you turn the heat off, make sure to heat up the syrup again before using to finish the cake.

Instructions for Finishing the Cake

  1. While the cake is hot, poke about a dozen holes in it. Ladle the hot syrup onto the cake, waiting for one ladle of syrup to absorb before adding another. (You can use all the syrup or half of it, saving the other half for future use.

  2. When the cake has cooled completely, cut it into sixteen squares. As an option, you can add a spoonful of whipped cream to each piece and sprinkle with pistachio nuts.

 

Greek Farina Cake is made from pantry and refrigerated staples and then drenched in a honey, orange zest syrup, which results in a supremely moist and flavorful dessert. Recipe shared with permission granted by Maria DiRico, author of HERE COMES THE BODY.

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

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Greek Farina Cake is made from pantry and refrigerated staples and then drenched in a honey, orange zest syrup, which results in a supremely moist and flavorful dessert. Recipe shared with permission granted by Maria DiRico, author of HERE COMES THE BODY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

 

Greek Farina Cake is made from pantry and refrigerated staples and then drenched in a honey, orange zest syrup, which results in a supremely moist and flavorful dessert. Recipe shared with permission granted by Maria DiRico, author of HERE COMES THE BODY.

 

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57 thoughts on “Greek Farina Cake”

  1. I make lasagna every now and then. Not very often since it’s time consuming, but it is my favorite. When I go out, Gnocchi is my favorite. Congratulations to Maria on the new release!

  4. All types of pasta & chicken parm is what I make often make at home. I always order Chicken Marsala!

  5. Love lasagna, make it with lots of mushrooms, red wine sauce. But am partial to Ossobuco alla Milanese served over Risotto or polenta. There is an Italian transplant who opened a restaurant in the next township that we visit one Sunday a month when they serve this dish. As an appetizer we will have a couple of Arancini and often follow up with either a gelato or Tiramisu. But more oft than not. We do not eat dessert.

  6. I love all the cheesy Italian recipes but I can’t make them because some of my family are lactose intolerant! This sounds like a fun read and it’s lactose free!

  7. My husband is Italian so pasta and pasta are a staple in our house! ? thank you for the chance!

  12. Hi everyone! I’m enjoying all these comments – except now I’m DYING for some Italian food, lol!

    As usual, Kim did an incredible job bringing one of recipes to life. A bazillion thanks, Kim! xoxo

  15. Chicken Parmesan is a favorite to make, I like Ravioli when we go to an Italian restaurant.

  19. I pretty much love all Italian food – one favorite is eggplant parmesan, because I so rarely get to have it – thanks for the great blog and all the recipes and the giveaways.

  20. The book sounds great! And of course the recipe has me wanting to bake it now.
    Thanks for this chance to win.

  24. I love Eggplant Parmesan with spaghetti and sauce. My favorite restaurant Papa Dois makes it just right.

  27. I love Italian! I make a lot of lasagna, pizza, and spaghetti. I like chicken parmesan or ravioli too, but I only have it when I go out. For some reason I don’t seem to make it myself.

  34. OMG, I read all these comments and I am now desperate for Italian food! I need to make something tomorrow night. Thank you for all the great comments. Good luck, all!

  35. I love my spaghetti sauce better than any other I have tasted. I also use it for lasagna sometimes. I love chicken Marsala when eating out. Congratulations to Maria on her new series. Thanks for the chance. I have a comment about the Cream of Wheat being Farina. When I was younger I use to like eating Farina but then it wasn’t Cream of Wheat at that time. It was a darker grain and had a grainier taste that was on the sweet side. I’ll follow up on this. Maybe I’m having a senior moment. lol.

  37. I love to make and eat lasagna it’s so yummy. This book looks amazing. Thanks for your great generosity.

  38. The Book has a wonderful story. Sounds intriguing
    With a slice of fun–I mean really how many folks call their furchild Doorstop ( “” )( “” ) bahaahaa. fabulous
    Add an Italian Nonna.. I know what that means 🙂
    The recipe with Farina- I grew up with that it’s a favorite of mine, good old comfort food. Cream Of Wheat, very interesting in the recipe , I am thinking about this creamer or grainy?
    Hhmm
    Well fantastic review. Thanks so much
    Blessings to you and readers 🙂

  43. The book and recipe sound fabulous! I cook Italian at least once a week so it’d be hard to pick a favorite. I save the more time consuming dishes like manicotti, osso buco and bracciole for special occasions.

  46. I adore strong protagonists, especially ones that are smart alecks! And the farina cake looks divine!

  47. I make a few Italian dishes, but my 92 year old mother-in-law, who happens to be 100% Italian, lives to cook for me, and I am the recipient of homemade Italian dishes weekly. My all time favorite is polenta!

  48. Yum on the recipe and yay on the book!!! I am Italian, I love Italian food, of course my favorite is lasagna with tons of ricotta and moz cheese. Have a great day!!

  49. My favorite dish to order is Alfredo Fettuccine, but I love to make Manicotti. Thank you for the great giveaway.

  51. My favorite is gnocchi! But it has to be made right, sometimes it is too mushy and that’s like eating a glob of glue. But when it’s made perfectly (from this family owned restaurant near me) it is amazing!! Thanks for the chance. lilyanngill56(at)Gmail(dot)com

  52. I love to make my own lasagna. Thank you for the opportunity and the great recipe.
    lindalou6(at)live (dot) com

  55. Of course we have spaghetti fairly often at home. Hubby likes to use angel hair pasta and Italian sausage added to Ragu. He occasionally will make lasagna but that takes so much longer.
    When we eat Italian out, I usually go with lasagna, or possibly chicken or meal parmesan.

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