Easter Recipes | Grandma’s Pesto

As always, each autonomous community has its own recipe book. There are sweets that have a common basis and have been modified in each region, and sweets that have absolutely nothing to do with it. But it’s true there are ingredients and flavors that evoke this time of year: citrus, cinnamon, anise, honey…

All combined in one subtlety: pestinos. Although it is not known exactly where they came from, the fact is that they are prepared not only in Spain, but also in other parts of Latin America. And there are writings suggesting that they were prepared in ancient Rome. However, the use of orange also suggests that the recipe has Sephardic overtones.

No matter where they come from, it is a fact that their flavors fascinate everyone. And although it is easily available in bakeries, patisseries and supermarkets these months, it is best to make them at home. Among other things, because the preparation does not have any difficulties. These are the materials and the steps to follow.

Contents

• 400 grams of flour

• 100 milliliters of olive oil (and a good splash for frying)

• 100 milliliters of white wine

• 20 grams of anise in cereal

• 20 grams sesame

• orange zest

• lemon zest

• cinnamon stick

• Powdered sugar and cinnamon (or honey) to garnish

Preparation

• The first step is to get an olive oil full of aromas. It is ideal to prepare in advance. It is obtained by putting lemon and orange peels and a cinnamon stick in a saucepan over low heat. Leave it like this for at least half an hour. Then add the anise kernels and let it sit for another fifteen minutes. Let stand until it cools to room temperature.

• Before making the dough, you should roast the sesame seeds very carefully in a pan on medium heat so that they do not burn. Reserved.

• After the oil and sesame have reached the desired temperature, the next step is to start preparing the dough. For this, it is necessary to mix the previously sweetened flour, sugar, white wine and olive oil in a bowl.

• Once it starts to integrate, add a pinch of salt, the juice of an orange and the pre-toasted sesame seeds. After everything is well mixed, rest the dough for half an hour.

• After that time, it’s time to work on it. To do this, you need to stretch it with the help of a kitchen roller until you get a not very thick dish. Then you have to cut it into squares and make the traditional shape of pestiños with them, bringing out the two opposite corners.

• The next thing is to fry them in a lot of oil and at medium-high heat until golden brown.

• Remove the excess oil from the stove and dip it in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. There is also the option of garnishing with honey.