Pumpkin Risotto with Bacon
For those who live in/around Toronto and you’re familiar with the local food scene, you’d have to be living under a rock if you haven’t heard of Chef Mark McEwan. He was the youngest executive Chef at the Sutton Place Hotel, his company runs a series of upscale restaurants, a gourmet supermarket, catering services and […]
Fillet Mignon with Mushroom & Metaxa Cream Sauce
In today’s recipe I take a classic; beef with a brandy and cream sauce and give it a little Greek twist, using Metaxa brandy. I add some mushrooms and simmer the beef in this rich sauce. A showstopper dish that’s easy to prepare. Metaxa can be found at most liquor stores and it adds a […]
Reverse Sear Steak
Many of you have heard about it (reverse sear) but most of you do not know what it refers to. I’ve got your backs! Steaks are usually cooked in a pan, grill or oven with browning occurring via direct contact with high heat. That golden/brown deep crust on the outside of a steak contrasted with […]
Rooster Braised in Wine with Trahana
The French have “Coq au Vin” and us Greeks have “Kokkoros Krasato”. Both dishes are are alike as a rooster gets braised in wine (among other things) but the flavour profile is different. It’s best to not confuse the two dishes. So how does a rooster end up in the kitchen pot and ultimately on […]
Grilled Soutzoukakia
One of my earliest fond food memories (1974) was noticing how Greeks (in the summer) were always eating outside. Of note were the tavernas that would come alive for the evening service: tables and chairs being arranged outside of the premise, tablecloths, plates, glassware laid out. Greeks eat dinner late (say 10ish) and menu items […]
Pork With Mushrooms and Dried Figs
We’re into September and cooler evenings are here. Summer dishes give away to Fall comfort dishes and this dish can be made on a weeknight or weekend. I usually like fattier pork cuts but this one works with pork tenderloin or the equivalent of pork loin. Fruit complements pork well and this recipe includes dried […]
Chicken Giouvetsi
Original post appeared on my blog on July 2008. Although I’ve made this dish several times since then, I was overdue to update the post (and photos). Since then, sheet pan and one pot meals have become very popular – us Greeks have been doing this for ages! Greek cooking is filled with dishes that […]
Cherry Tomato Salad With Whipped Feta
Here in Canada, we have a short window of when we can enjoy local, sweet ripe tomatoes and the time is now. In abundance now are cherry tomatoes, sweet, inexpensive and even good in the off season (hothouse variety). The star of the salad are the cherry tomatoes along with an easy whipped Feta to […]
Haniotiko Boureki
This is a recipe update, original appeared here on my site June 27th, 2014. I originally made it as appetizer offering at a Cretan-themed dinner. After the Boureki cooled, I cut them into squares and served with toothpicks for easy noshing. I’ve updated the recipe, making it easier to assemble and with all the same […]
Cretan Summertime Stifado
Have you been to Crete? I’ve been three times and each time I return with much inspiration from regional Cretan cuisine. I also follow, fellow blogger Vaggelio of Cretan Gastronomy, featuring Cretan dishes. Sometimes the ingredients aren’t available but most are adaptable using what you may have at hand. We are definitely in zucchini season, […]
