Here is a recipe for a coconut cake with a raspberry filling and flaked coconut frosting. Ingredients 2 large eggs, Whole Foods 365 brand (.50 cents) 2 large egg whites, Whole Foods 365 brand (.50 cents) 1 3/4 cups flour Whole Foods All Purpose flour brand (.63 cents) 2 teasp baking powder, Rumford brand (.06 cents) 1/2 teasp salt, Morton’s brand (.02 cents) 3/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces, Whole Foods 365 brand (.63 cents) 1 1/3 cups white sugar, C&H brand (.40 cents) 1 1/2 teasp vanilla extract, McCormick brand (.69 cents) 3/4 cup full fat coconut milk, Whole Foods 365 brand (.80 cents) 3/4 cup raspberry jam, Whole Foods 365 brand ($1.00) 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut, Whole Foods 365 brand (.30 cents) For The Frosting Ingredients 2 cups powdered sugar, C&H brand (.84 cents) 2 tablesp butter, softened, Whole Foods 365 brand (.13 cents) 1/2 teasp vanilla extract, McCormick brand (.23 cents) 2-3 tablesp whole milk, Whole Foods 365 brand (.06 cents) 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut, Whole Foods 365 brand (.60 cents) Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two �" 9 inch x 1 1/2 inch (23 x 3.75 cm) cake pans, and then line the bottoms with parchment paper (or spray with non stick spray). Sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Set aside. In bowl of electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until soft (about 1-2 minutes). Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition; add the egg whites and mix well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and coconut milk, in three parts; in other words, add one third of the flour, mix gently by hand with a spatula just until it is mixed in, and then add half of the coconut milk, mixing until just combined. Add half of the remaining flour, mix by hand until just mixed in, and add the other half of the coconut milk, mixing until just combined. Add the other half of the remaining flour, mixing by hand until just mixed in. Always mix gently, and do not over mix. Divide the batter and pour into the prepared pans, smoothing the surface with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in center. Place the cakes on a wire rack to cool, in their pans, for about 10 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto a greased rack. To prevent splitting, re-invert cakes so that tops are right side up. Cool completely. Cut each cake in half. Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread with about 1/3 of the raspberry jam and sprinkle with about 1 - 2 tablespoons of coconut, or enough to lightly cover the entire surface of the cake. Continue with the next layers, stacking and filling with the jam and coconut. Set aside when done. You will be making the frosting next. For The Frosting In a mixing bowl add the powdered sugar, butter and vanilla. Turn the mixer on medium low and slowly add the whole milk until you reach the consistency desired. Increase the speed to medium and continue to beat until fluffy.

I've been reading Rosemary Barron's "Flavors of Greece" (I read cookbooks the way others read novels). In it there is sort of a Greek version of hummus that might work: Rivithosalata (Garbanzo Beans & Garlic Salata) 1 1/2 cups dried garbanzo beans, soaked overnight in water to cover 2 large cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp ground coriander or 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 5 tbls Kalamata olive oil Strained juice of 2 lemons for serving: Finely chopped flat-leaf parsley 1 tbls dried rigani (Greek oregano) crumbled 1 tsp paprika Drain the beans and place in a large saucepan with cold water to cover. Bring slowly to a boil, drain, rinse. Rinse out the saucepan, return beans to pan, and add cold water to cover by 3 inches. Bring to a boil, recuce the heat, cover, and genly simmer for 50 minutes or until so0ft. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and a few whole beans for garnish. Place the beans, garlic, coriander, salt and pepper in a food processor or blender container. With the machine running, gradually add 1/4 cup of the olive oil and most of the lemon juice. Add more salt and pepper and the remainign lemon juice if desired and process until smooth and creamy. For a thinner consistency gradually add some or all of the reserved liquid (if you plan to store the salata add all the reserved liquid---it will thicken on standing). Spread on a platter and sprinkle with the parsley, regani and reserved whole berans. Combine the parprika and remaining tbls olive oil and sprinkle over the salata. To store, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two days.

This was my mom's recipe. In those days flour was sifted before measuring and as I recall scant meant about 1 Tb. less than level with the top of the measuring cup. She was a stickler for preciseness so the 300 F. baking temp. is correct. Date Bread 1 c. boiling water 1 tsp. soda 1 c. dates butter, size of a walnut 1 c. sugar 1 egg scant 1 1/2 c. flour 1 c. chopped walnuts Preheat oven to 300 degrees; Grease 5x9 loaf pan. Combine water, soda & dates in flat bottom bowl; set aside. Mix other ingredients in order. Mash dates in water; add to dough. Bake for 1 hour.

Here is a recipe that I have been meaning to try. Amaretti Cookies 2 egg whites 1 1/4 cups blanched whole almonds 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 1/4 cup slivered almonds Let the egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 minutes in large mixing bowl. Meanwhile, line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or brown kraft paper. Set aside. In a food processor bowl or blender container process or blend whole almonds with 1/4 cup of the sugar till almonds are finely ground. Set aside. Add the cream of tartar and almond extract to the egg whites. Mix on medium speed till soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed till very stiff peaks form and sugar is almost dissolved. Fold in ground almonds. Drop meringue mixture by rounded teaspoons 1 1/2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Sprinkle a few slivered almonds over each cookie. Bake in a preheated 300 degrees oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or till cookies just begin to brown (centers will be soft). Turn off oven. Let cookies dry in oven with the door closed for 30 minutes. Peel cookies from paper. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week. Makes 38-40 cookies