World Flavors Cookbook

Maza (Barley Cake)

Name: Maza (Barley Cake)
Cook time: 20 min
Cuisine: Ancient World
Ingredients: roasted barley flour (alphita), water, olive oil, salt, optional: honey or dried figs

Roasted barley flour kneaded with water, olive oil, and salt into dense cakes — the most fundamental food of ancient Greece, eaten by athletes, soldiers, and philosophers alike.

Cuisine: Ancient World

Ingredients

roasted barley flour (alphita), water, olive oil, salt, optional: honey or dried figs

Instructions

Roast barley flour in a dry pan until nutty and fragrant. Mix with enough water and olive oil to form a stiff dough. Season with salt. Shape into flat cakes. Cook on a hot stone or dry griddle until charred spots appear (8-10 minutes per side). Eat with olives, cheese, or dipped in wine.