Baked Cauliflower & Broccoli With Cheddar
It’s Cheesfare Week in Greece and for all other Orthodox Christians in the world. Although Great Lent doesn’t begin until next Monday, this week is filled with many cheese-filled sides, snacks and entrees. Greeks will be having dishes with lots of cheese like pasta dishes, pizzas and what could be better than fried cheese? One […]
Makaronia Sto Gazaki
The Carnival period of Greek Lent is over. That is to say…all though partying and parades continue through the week until this upcoming Sunday, that eating meat is done. We are now into cheesefare week or Tyrini and all week Greeks will be enjoying cheese-based dishes. Great Lent with commence next Monday with Clean Monday […]
Banana Cream Custard Phyllo Bundles
Made this dessert for my cousin a couple of years ago with some leftover phyllo and once again this week after having some leftover phyllo from making last week’s Lemon Meringue Phyllo Tarts. Sometimes there are recipes that call for a partial package of phyllo and with a little creativity you an use up the […]
Pork Tenderloin Seared With a Mushroom Crust
I’m convinced that the prices of meat cuts have more to do with popularity rather than its true value. Chicken wings used to be given for almost nothing yet now cost almost $10 for a lb. of wings at the bar. How about flank steak? That used to be the cheap “every man’s steak” but […]
Nacho Macaroni & Cheese
A couple of weeks ago I did a cooking demo at Toronto’s Harbourfront. No stranger to crowds, cooking in front of strangers didn’t present a problem and besides..I was doing what I love – sharing good, comforting food. When I was asked to conduct some cooking demos the prerequisite was that I showcase comforting dishes […]
The Other Giouvarlakia
Greek cuisine has always been about simplicity, the dishes are not complex but rely on seasonal, fresh and seasonal ingredients. Many of Greece’s most popular dishes were born out of need and necessity – peasant dishes. More than ever, a return to more traditional ingredients is the mindshift in Greece – be it out of […]
Purslane Tzatziki
One person’s weed is another person’ dinner. Purslane grows amok in Greece and the other nations that surround the Mediterranean. This succulent can be found growing in gardens, roadside and yes, even at the farmer’s markets. In Greece, purslane is often made into a salad (or a salad component), stewed or simply added as a […]
Greek Mess (Ελληνικό μπάχαλο)
This dessert was inspired by Eton Mess, an easy concoction that’s usually made by whipping cream, incorporating crumbled Meringues and ripe strawberries (which are the usual fruit). The Eton Mess was traditionally served at Eton College’s annually cricket game against Winchester College. Now this is where the dessert deviates. I’ve never been impressed with baked […]
Spinach & Feta “Gratin”
My visit to Greece this past May consisted of two parts: the first part was spent attending the Sani Gourmet Festival and the second was with family and friends in Thessaloniki. I stayed at my uncle’s house in Elaiones, a suburb that sits overlooking Thessaloniki on one side and nearby Panorama – still lording high […]
Aspro/Mavro (White & Black)
This recipe comes courtesy of a neighbor of ours in Halkidiki, where my family’s summer home is located in Greece. Halkidiki is located in northern Greece, consists of three peninsulas that are situated just east of Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki. One day I went to a neighbor’s home that had some new-born puppies that another […]