Marzipans: what is it?

Your friend already buzzed all ears about the fact that she cooked delicious marzipans? "What is it, and what does it eat?" Is your first reaction to her words? Then let's figure it out. Let's start, as it should, from the very beginning, namely, from the history of the appearance of a wonderful recipe.

The history of marzipan is very fascinating. The recipe appeared around the seventeenth or eighteenth century. Four countries claim to inventing dishes - Italy, Germany, France and Estonia. There is an opinion that the recipe appeared simultaneously in all countries, but slightly differed in the set of ingredients. Marzipans did not come from the boredom of cooks and the desire to invent something new. At that time, there was a severe famine in the countries, and the only grain for bread was almonds. Also, some argue that the marzipans were given to people as a cure for mental disorders, because nuts well affect the nervous system. From now on, you know how the marzipans arose , what it is and what they were created for. By the way, by tradition, in Germany these delicacies are prepared for Christmas.

Now that you've learned the history of marzipan, it's time to start cooking. The standard marzipan is a dish of crushed sweet and bitter almonds and sugar. In our time there are many different recipes for sweets. Also you can find different cakes from marzipan, photos of which are impressive. There are even museums of this magic delicacy.

I managed to find a recipe "from the chest of a noble lady", which was published in the far 1608. Here it is: "How to make a home marzipan - a refined and masterfully decorated candy. First, take 800 grams of almonds, mash it to the state of flour and mix it with 400 grams of powdered sugar, add a tablespoon or two syrups. Then mix until a uniform mixture is formed. Now take the resulting mass, put it in a thin layer and bake it. Decorate with ice, syrup and powdered sugar. "

Unfortunately, this ancient recipe does not specify exactly how to prepare marzipans. "What it is? How so? "- you ask. There is no baking time, no temperature, no baking, no time for cooling. So I had to change it a little, so that the dish turned out really tasty.

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of whole almonds;
• 375 grams of powdered sugar;
• syrup;
• water.

Instruction:

1. Grind the almonds to a powdery state. This can be done manually. At first it may seem that it is very simple and fast. But if you get bored, use a coffee grinder or any other device that will make almond flour. The main thing - check that there are no large lumps or even whole pieces of almonds.
   
2. Mix almond flour with 250 grams of powdered sugar. Next, add a tablespoon of syrup. If the dough does not seem sweet enough to you, add a little more syrup (about a teaspoonful). The main thing is not to overdo it. Then add water until the mass becomes like a dough.
3. Now roll the dough and put it in the mold. Roll thinly enough; If there are problems (the dough will be sticky), sprinkle the surface on which you work, powdered sugar. Lubricate the form with vegetable oil. When you spread the dough into a mold, form the edges (such as when baking a pie). Bake for about 20 minutes at 180 ^o C.
   
4. Prepare the icing. To do this, mix the remaining powdered sugar with the syrup. Pour ready home marzipan frosting and let cool.

So our wonderful dish is ready. I think now you will not have a question: "Marzipans - what is it?". Bon Appetit!