This past Sunday was my birthday and I invited some friends over for some good drink, delicious food and hearty laughs. The weekend forecast was for hot summer days, little humidity. The clouds rolled in just before guests arrived and there was a little bit of rainfall. The clouds left, happy to have teased us and off they went as we wiped tables and chairs of rain water and quickly set up the patio for some outdoor grilling.
I required one day of prep so that I could actually have face time with my friends. Toggling between the kitchen and grill was a still a challenge but I got the food out: it looked good, tasted fantastic and my guests said everything was delicious. Who am I to second-guess them?
I began the evening by serving a couple of dips, Melitzanosalata or, eggplant salad. This is my favourite of the Greek dips. I insist upon charring the eggplants on the grill as I adore that hint of smoke the eggplants take on.
The next dip also benefits greatly from the grill: a roasted red pepper dip. Sweet red bell peppers are charred on the grill and then placed in a bowl covered with plastic and allowed to sweat for about a 1/2 hour. After, I peel the skins off and place the roasted red peppers in a food processor with grilled scallions, sun-dried tomatoes, Feta and basil.
My peeps needed some proteins…out came the shrimp. Skewers of shrimp came out in a few waves of platters. I placed more shrimp on the grill as the previous wave vanished from the plates. When adding flavours to shrimp, no more than 1/2 hour is needed as you don’t want your shrimp to cook from any acid or get mushy. Today, I combined the flavours of lime zest and juice, ground cumin, garlic, honey, sea salt, smoked paprika and Boukovo for a touch of heat.
At this point in the evening, the side dishes came out. For the first time, I presented this Bulgur salad with cumin, allspice, garlic, ground coriander and nuts. Both tomato paste and pomegranate molasses helped the colour and rounded out this dish that was very exotic in flavour.
An old summer standard for me is potato salad…with no mayo. I also enjoy potato salads with mayo but when it’s summer and the sun is blazing on everyone – the last thing I want is my guests to leave my home holding their tummies. Red-skinned potatoes are boiled in salted water and allowed to cool until you’re able to handle them. While the spuds are still warm, they are tossed in mustard, garlic, scallions, wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh chopped tarragon. Blanched green beans and crispy radishes are added as garnish.
Another first for me was making some Chicken Gyro. I’ve made pork Gyro before but using chicken was a new cooking adventure. A stack of boneless chick thighs were flattened, marinaded and skewered on the upright rotisserie…the “Gyro”. As the outer layer of meat darkened and crisped-up, I shaved the meat off and served on a platter with some sliced red onions and Tzatziki.
More protein arrived at the table. I wanted to give my friends a taste of Greek summer. A summer in Greece is not complete without the smell and taste of char-grilled octopus. The cephalpods were were braised in their own liquid until tender and then tossed in some oil, vinegar and herbs and grilled until just crisp. Only lemon juice and dried Greek oregano need adorn this dish. Squeamish octopus-haters, begone!
That Greek olive oil combined with the juices from the octopus, lemon juice and oregano makes for a perfect excuse for dunking. Grab some homemade baguette and dive, swoop in and mop up that sauce.
I had to by myself some time so I brought out another salad: slices of juicy beefsteak tomatoes were served on a large platter, topped by ribbons of roasted peppers, pickled red onions, Greek olive oil, Kalamata olives, Greek oregano and Feta cheese.
Finally, the main protein came – grilled pork belly. When in Greece, you’ll often find these beauties offered by both tavernas and at Greek homes. Pork belly is where bacon comes from. Love bacon? You’ll love grilled pork belly.
I also had some Halloumi cheese on hand and a few guests wanted to taste some…give the people what they want!
I had also planned to offer a dessert but time was running out and Paula of Dragon’s Kitchen had brought over this gorgeous Lemon Meringue cake. Everyone asked for a wedge and this cake pays homage to the classic Lemon Meringue Pie. Follow Paula’s blog to watch this recipe (coming soon).
Same time next year?
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© 2007-2010 Peter Minakis
OH, gosh — what a perfect birthday feast. I’m always amazed with what you with Octopus on the grill… but that pork belly takes this affair over the top.
My big day is coming up in October… want to make a trip out to Wisconsin to cook for me?? :)
It was a great night, great peeps and even greater food! Thank you, Peter. And yes, same time next year. :)
Happy Birthday kai Xronia Polla Peter! Looks like quite the birthday feast, and I second that melitzanasalata is the best dip (and must be charred!). Yup, same time next year :)
Happy Belated Birthday Peter, you are like me and I am sure many other foodies, like to even cook on our birthdays……
A phenomenal spread, I must say!
Same time next year? Are we all invited? Or maybe I should ask: do you cater? Fantastic food, Peter, but no surprise there! And Happy Happy Birthday! xoxo
happy birthday! xronia polla! i’m totally hungry now! :-)
Happy belated Birthday! That is what I call a party! What splendid food!
Cheers,
Rosa
Happy Birthday Peter! Sumptuous spread – and you all look like you had a very relaxed sort of day, so well done on not being too stressed!
Fabulous feast and great photos by Paula. Best wishes again. Maybe I’ll come to Toronto for next year’s fete.
Sounds like you had a fantastric birthday with old friends Peter. Happy, happy birthday!!
What a feast! You certainly know how to celebrate
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETER!!! You were quite lucky with the weather. All your dishes look great as always. Wish I was there. When are you coming to Greece?
I’m sure everyone had a great time.. the food looks delicious. Happy Birthday!
Xronia polla kai apo dw! Ena sou lew! OI kalesmenoi itan poliiiiiiiiiiii tyxeroi me ola auta pou eftiakses!!!
Happy Belated B’day Peter! What a great day and an awesome feast! I’m def bookmarking this for next year!
I am clearly living in the wrong neck of the woods! :)
Happy Belated Peter!
What a food fest! But then I wouldn’t expect anything less from you Peter!
you clearly throw an awesome party, peter. i hope everything about your birthday was terrific!
Happy Birthday! What a great party. Your salads look fantastic. Love the added pomegranate molasses in the bulgur salad.
Oooh what a fantastic load of food! Everything looks soooo good Peter (as always). Looks like you had a great birthday x :)
I can only assume you had a really happy birthday,
because when you look at those (wonderful) pictures you can tell all the right ingredients were there.
I hope you had a great day and some quality time with your friends!
Happy belated birthday Peter! I can’t believe I missed it and wow, I love all the colorful and delicious dishes you made! Impressive! We’re having a big BBQ party tomorrow night for Tom’s birthday (which was in november) although I have to confess we did not really make much ourself this time (I am almost ashamed to confess!!)
How did I miss this post??? It was a wonderful night Peter! The food, friends and your incredible hosting abilities made it just about perfect! Only thing missing was Tony…Hopefully we can do it all again next year!
Happy Birthday Peter from another July baby! I was away when you posted this…
What a fabulous party and wonderful food…everything I love!
Happy belated birthday, Peter! I just ate dinner, but I am still looking at your post and salivating over all the food. I am in love with that bulgur salad, and want some pork belly ASAP.
What an awesome way to celebrate! Looks like you guys all had a great time – and as usual the food looks divine!