Rocket, Pear and Feta Salad
STOP THE PRESSES!!! Toronto’s experiencing some seasonal hot weather and it’s a long weekend up here, in honour of Lord Simcoe. I’ve been busy getting ready for my vacation to Greece, getting my affairs in order, making sure all my “ducks are in a row” and eating with what’s left in the fridge. When I […]
Lady Fingers (δάχτυλα-κυριών)
You’ve been asked before and you’ll be asked again…”is there anything better tasting than fried dough”? This delicious treat comes from the island of Cyprus. This predominantly Greek-speaking island lies in the easternmost corner of of the Mediterranean Sea (between Turkey and Lebanon) has a cuisine very similar to mainland Greece but it also possesses […]
Anixiatiki (Spring) Salad
Yesterday was May 1st and in Greek tradition, a Greek will greet their fellow Greeks with a “Kalo Mina” or “Good Month”. May 1st is also the European equivalent of the North American Labour Day. In Greece and much of Europe, a celebration and remembrance of the social and economic achievements are marked with parades […]
Baklava (Μπακλαβάς)
Finally…a baklava recipe and some background and opinion on this dessert, popular all around the world. The origins of Baklava can be traced to Turkey (which is fine by me) and rather than focus on the differences between Greeks and Turks, I try and focus on the similarities between the two peoples. Relations between the […]
Many Mussels, Olive Bread and a Salad
My parents come from towns in northern Greece (Macedonia) that are located in the mountains but most of my time spent in Greece is near the sea. All of my relatives in Greece are on my mom’s side of the family and the majority of them live in Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki. One of […]
Kataifi (καταϊφι)
The sister dessert to Baklava has to be Kataifi. The more common and popular dessert is baklava but don’t let that keep you from trying out this dessert that’s easy to assemble, fabulous to look at and ever a delight to eat. Much like Baklava, Kataifi exists in the dessert repertoire of Greek, Turkish, Middle […]
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,
when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. We’re upon that magical day, Christmas. I feel it today…that state of mind, the Zone. It’s not just a holiday, it’s a state of being…almost out of body – surreal. Christmas, the holidays, the end of the Year all wrapped-up in […]
Chocolate Baklava
Perhaps one of the best known and popular Greek desserts is Baklava. Greeks have made & enjoyed Baklava for ages and it’s popularity is further evidenced by versions of Baklava appearing in Turkish, Middle-Eastern and Persian cuisines. Baklava is essentially made of layers of phyllo sandwiching a nut and spice mixture in the middle. A […]
Diples (Δίπλες)
My family comes from the northernmost province of Greece, Macedonia but today’s recipe is from the opposite end of mainland Greece, Laconia. Although Diples are home to much of the Peloponese, the Byzantine town of Mani is where these Greek fried turnovers come from. One would expect a rich heritage of cuisine and recipes to […]
Greece 2008 Comes to a Close
I’m back and in a bitter-sweet way. It’s good to be back in Canada after another wonderful, memorable and fantastic time vacationing in Greece. Although I wish I could still be in Greece, all things must come to an end and I don’t want to get sick of Greece and I always leave unfinished business […]
