Recipe for Koliva – Wheat Grain for Greek Orthodox Memorial Service

Greek Boston — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:38:59 +0000

Koliva is made for funeral and memorial services and distributed to those in attendance. Koliva is made primarily of wheat, which is symbolic of life and regeneration. Like wheat, people are buried in order to grow and have a new life.

Wheat Grain for Greek Orthodox Memorial Service (Koliva) Recipe Ingredients:

4 cups wheat grain, shelled
1 1/2 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups blanched almonds, lightly toasted
3/4 cup golden raisins
2 cups finely ground Zweiback, graham crackers, or paximadia
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup sesame seeds lightly toasted
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (optional)
Almonds, powdered sugar, silver candies, walnuts or white raisins for decoration (optional)

How to Make Koliva:

Wash the wheat thoroughly to get rid of any grit or sand. Add the wheat to a large pot. Fill the pot with water, add a few pinches of salt, and bring the water to a boil.

Cook the wheat until it’s fluffy and tender – this should take about 20 minutes.

Strain the wheat and let the water drain out thoroughly.

Prepare a surface by layering some towels down. Spread the wheat thinly on the towels and allow drying overnight.

Add the wheat, walnuts, almonds, raisins, sesame seeds, pomegranate seeds and 2 tablespoons of the ground toast/crackers to a large mixing bowl and stir well with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Place the mixture in a tray or bowl that you would like to use. Press the mixture down to smooth it out and shape it (mound for tray or flat for bowl). Sprinkle the remaining toast/crackers on the top of the mixture to cover (no need to use all the crackers).

Sprinkle the powdered sugar generously on top.

Decorate the top with any of the ingredients you choose. It is traditional to adorn the top with a cross.

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Recipe for Prosphoron – Greek Orthodox Communion Bread

Greek Boston — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 13:40:22 +0000

Prosphoron is the bread used for communion. To make this you will need to have a wooden Prosphoron seal to imprint on the top of the bread. Before you make the prosphoro, it is tradition to make the sign of the cross saying: “In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever to the ages of ages. Amen.” and then reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

Greek Orthodox Prosphoro, Communion Bread Recipe Ingredients:

3 cups flour
1 cup water, warm
1 package dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt

How to Bake Prosphoro – Greek Orthodox Communion Bread:

Disolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of the warm water. Combine the salt and flour in a large bowl. Form a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast.

Mix and then knead on a floured surface until the dough is smooth. Place the dough in a bowl, cover, and let it rise until double in size. Prepare two cake pans by flouring them (just use flour, don’t use grease). Remove the dough from the bowl, punch it down and knead it for another 10 minutes. Divide it into two sections.

Place in the floured cake pans, and sprinkle a little flour on top. Dip the Prosporon seal in flour and press the seal firmly on the top. Leave the seal in place and cover the pan and let it rise again until double. Remove the seal and bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool. Makes 2 loaves

*Please Note: Recommended cook times for GreekBoston.com Greek recipes vary depending on elevation, environmental conditions, the cookware being used, and the nature of the oven or stove. Although we have given approximations, these don’t always take into account your unique environment.