Baking

Baked Fish Cakes

Mar 10th, 2010 | By Peter Minakis
Baked Fish Cakes

The first time I tried fish cakes were long ago when I used to work at one of Canada’s banks. Canada is a multicultural nation with peoples from all corners of the world. The fish cake I had back then was brought from a Portuguese lady and co-worker who proudly watched her cod fish cakes [...]



Eggplant Parmesan

Mar 2nd, 2010 | By Peter Minakis
Eggplant Parmesan

What if I told you that there’s a dish that you can make at home (affordably), be transported into an Italian home and taste authentically Italian? You with me? What if that dish was also vegetarian but was as filling as a meat dish? Look no further than Eggplant Parmesan. This recipe comes to you [...]



Scallops Saganaki (Xτένια Σαγανάκι)

Mar 1st, 2010 | By Peter Minakis
Scallops Saganaki (Xτένια Σαγανάκι)

I get my inspiration from many sources: my mother and other family members and friends who I consider culinary wizards, frequent visits to Greece, chatting about food with other Greek food enthusiasts, other bloggers who I respect and consider friends and of course, the well known food and cooking celebrities who enter our homes via [...]



Nistisima Paximadia (Νηστίσιμα Παξιμαδάκια)

Feb 17th, 2010 | By Peter Minakis
Nistisima Paximadia (Νηστίσιμα Παξιμαδάκια)

Here I am, mid-week into the first week of Lent. The first day is the hardest and then each day it becomes easier and easier. [...]



Lagana (λαγάνα)

Feb 15th, 2010 | By Peter Minakis
Lagana (λαγάνα)

Lagana is very reminiscent of foccacia, another flat bread. The Lagana is a bread that’s tradionally baked for consumption on the first day of Greek Lent, Clean Monday.The Lagana is very easy to make and if you mix a batch of dough this evening or start tomorrow evening, you can have home-baked Langana for Kathera [...]



Portokalopita (Πορτοκαλόπιτα)

Feb 2nd, 2010 | By Peter Minakis
Portokalopita (Πορτοκαλόπιτα)

From the photo, can you guess what a Portokalopita is?
Portokalopita is an Greek compound word translated into “orange pie”. The first time I ever saw this dish was recently at my friend Maria’s blog, “Kali Orexi”. I have never before heard of this dessert, I have never ever eaten a Portokalopita. I was awestruck by [...]



Pumpkin Fritters

Jan 24th, 2010 | By Peter Minakis
Pumpkin Fritters

A friend of the family’s gave us the big, honkin’ pumpkin last year and the first thing to go were the pumpkin seeds. Salted and [...]



Sea Bass Baked in Coarse Sea Salt

Jan 6th, 2010 | By Peter Minakis
Sea Bass Baked in Coarse Sea Salt

Recipe update from Feb,01, 2008
This dish isn’t unique to just Greek cuisine. I’ve seen fish baked in coarse sea salt in many countries that hug the Mediterranean basin. Everyone’s in on baking whole fish in a salt crust: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece.  If I haven’t noted your country, do you folks also bake [...]



Margarites (Μαργαρίτες) or Baklava Daisies

Dec 24th, 2009 | By Peter Minakis
Margarites (Μαργαρίτες) or Baklava Daisies

Aren’t mom’s the best? Just when I thought my mom showed me all the tricks in her book (brain) of kitchen techniques, she smacks-down this little ditty on the kitchen counter!
I’ve seen these in assortment trays from Greek bakeries. I’ve eaten these at Greek festivals. I seen these offered by other cuisines (Middle-Eastern, Lebanese & [...]



Baklava Cigars (Πουράκια)

Dec 23rd, 2009 | By Peter Minakis
Baklava Cigars (Πουράκια)

Continuing with my series in the realm of Baklava, I present Pourakia or Baklava cigars. Again, all the flavour of Baklava can be had with these easy to make roll-ups. You can make them as big or as small a you wish.