Grilled Calamari and Cumin
This grilled calamari dish is something I first made last summer, just before I left for Greece. I’ve come full circle and I’m getting ready to go to Greece again. I’m looking forward to the vegetables from the garden that my family planted, the weekly visit to the farmer’s markets, meeting new friends and some […]
Backyard Birthday BBQ
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 […]
Seftalia From Cyprus (Σεφταλιά)
A couple of weekends ago I had the pleasure of visiting the Cypriot Community of Toronto’s Cultural Centre, where they held their annual Summer Festival on their grounds. After straightening out a mix-up (someone thought I was a politico and asked me to sit at a head table), I located some friends, had a seat […]
Beef Shish Kebab
Years ago, my family would attend these huge picnics where hundreds of Greek families would gather at a park somewhere north of Toronto. Anyone remember Green River? 101 International Park? Each family would pack coolers with provisions for the day: soft drinks, water, beer and wine, salads, rice, Spanakopitas, Tyropitas, bread, cheeses and lots of […]
Swordfish Souvlaki
I remember when and where I first had a swordfish souvlaki, like it was yesterday. It was the summer of 1987, my first summer in Greece without my parents. I had just completed one year of university and the trip to Greece was a gift from my parents for graduating high school and being accepted […]
Chicken Wings With a Mustard Barbecue Sauce
The second week of the World Cup has commenced and I am enjoying the upsets, surprises and surprising wins and losses by underdogs and favourites. Greece for example, gave us a disappointing 2010 World Cup debut against South Korea but then they won our hearts back with a gutsy victory over Nigeria this past Thursday. […]
Grilled Smoky Mussels
Tomorrow is Father’s Day and I would like to salute all the Fathers and Grandfathers out there who put food on the table, offer inspiration to young boys and men, the comfort and security to daughters and grand-daughters, regale us with tall tales, wisdom and humour. Chances are the man in the house will want […]
Almond Stuffed Shrimp With Crunchy Green Beans
It’s meze time! Appetizers! Backyard entertaining, offering an array of dishes through the evening with family, friends or both! With some prep, a little organization – one can serve an array of mezedes (appetizers) through the evening.I made this dish a couple of weeks ago, inspired by another shrimp dish I made with shrimp and […]
Grilled Scallops With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Once again last week, a visit to the market offered up inspiration for this dish. The markets are full of fresh bunches of scallions (green onions). Peppers are starting to appear but I have frozen roasted red peppers in the freezer (for just the occasion like today) and a walk to the fish and seafood […]
Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini Salad With Feta & Mint
Toronto had a very mild winter (the mildest I can remember) and Spring has arrived early. Snow melted by the second week of March, trees and flowers bloomed early and the lilacs brief two weeks of aromatic bloom is but a memory. I write this post in shorts, T-shirt and itching to flick-on the air […]
