Lamb Exohiko
How would you feel if I presented you with a dish that presented you some of the favoured ingredients in Greek cuisine? All wrapped-up in one dish? You get spinach (check), you get tomato (check), you get green pepper (check), you get tender pieces of lamb (check), Greek cheese in Cretan Graviera (check) and it’s […]
We’re Going to a Party
It’s New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2009. The end of one decade and the beginning of a new one. I’ve been thinking of all the ways I’ve spent New Year’s Eve. My earliest recollection was attending the Annual New Year’s dance of the Amynteon Association of Toronto. My parents are from this town in northern […]
Margarites or Baklava Daisies
Aren’t mom’s the best? Just when I thought my mom showed me all the tricks in her book (brain) of kitchen techniques, she smacks-down this little ditty on the kitchen counter! I’ve seen these in assortment trays from Greek bakeries. I’ve eaten these at Greek festivals. I seen these offered by other cuisines (Middle-Eastern, Lebanese […]
Saragli (Σαραγλί)
There are many riffs on Baklava that one can make and Saragli are just one of them. The classic Baklava is made with stacks of buttered phyllo spiked with a mixture of nuts, cinnamon, sugar and cloves. For Christmas this year, we decided to make an array of Baklava/Syropiasta sweets. In the coming days, I […]
Pitakia Kaisarias (Πιτάκια-Καισαρείας)
Earlier this year I introduced you all to the pre-cursor of Pastrami – Pastourma. It’s an air-dried beef that’s flavoured by spices and lots of garlic and paprika. Fenugreek is the pronounced in the mix. Pastourma is enjoyed by Greeks, Turks, many Arab nations and probably the best stuff is made by Armenians. Pastourma is […]
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 […]
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 […]
Leek and Cheese Pie – Prassopita (Πρασόπιτα)
Another year is behind us and I would be lying if I told you it was a great year for most. With these trying economic times, we’re seeing the flipside of globalization. Local events can and are being affected by economic factors halfway around the world from where one lives. We all seem to be […]
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 […]
