Fried Whiting aka Bakalarakia
I love fried fish and of my faves are whiting. Whiting belong to the cod family of fish and in Greece they are know as Bakalarakia. They are also called Hake and Italians called them Merluzzo. Here in Toronto, we get our fish from the Canadian Atlantic, so the fish is fresh, wild caught and […]
Pavlova With Lemon Curd and Fruit
Named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, this New Zealand-created dessert is easy and the combinations are endless! On your plate, a pavlova consists of a meringue nest (the base of the dessert) followed by a pastry cream, lemon curd and topped with fruit. This dish takes little time and you’ll impress your guests this summer […]
Kourkoubinia
I know it’s cliched but the simple things in life are often the most satisfying. In this instance, Kourkoubinia hit the spot. Kourkoubinia are little logs of rolled phyllo that get fried until golden then dunked in syrup. They are crunchy, they are sweet and my oh my…addictive! Think of these as sweet phyllo bites. […]
King Crab Pasta With Tomato and Ouzo Sauce
I love fish and seafood and it the summer months, I crave lighter dishes – foods that aren’t meat. Crab and lobster are rivals when it comes to gaining the attention of seafood lovers but if we’re talking about King Crab, they win “claws down”! This dish makes use of frozen crab legs, which is […]
Frigania From Zakynthos
Three years ago, I visited the island of Zakynthos, located among the Ionian Islands, off the coast of Patras. My hotel was located in the island’s main town and specifically near Solomos (Dionysios) Square, named after the poet who wrote the Greek National Anthem’s lyrics. I ordered one of the island’s specialties, the “Frigania” from […]
Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Shrimp and Feta
One of the better “convenience products” now available in supermarkets are these packages of vacuum packed gnocchi. In other words, they are shelf-stable until you open the package. A great new pantry item to add to your list. Of course, making these potato dumplings yourself would be better but this sheet pan gnocchi recipe is […]
Shoestring Zucchini Fries
I’ve always loved zucchini chips. Thinly cut with a mandoline and fried until crisp. Served topped with lots of grated Kefalotyri cheese or with a side of tzatziki for dipping. A few years ago, I was having lunch with winemaker Vasillis Papagiannakos at a seaside taverna in Porto Rafti (near Athens airport) and an order […]
Seared Scallops With Cretan Pilaf
One of the simple pleasures of Greek cuisine is a dish called “gamopilafo” aka wedding rice. It comes from Crete and traditionally served at weddings. Nowadays, many tavernas in Crete have it on their menus. Goat, lamb or rooster are boiled until tender and to give you a richly flavoured stock for cooking your rice. […]
Pizza on Your Grill
Hot summer days and nights are here it’s quite common to eat lighter dishes and avoid recipes that involve the using the oven. Lots of people use their outdoor grills and now I have another use for your grill – make pizza! You’re going to need a couple of bricks to place the pizza pan […]
Hand Smashed Potatoes
I love fried food and the king of fried food are French Fries. Some are intimidated, some are lazy, some don’t like frying in their home, some avoid it. Many love it. This is for those who love crispy fries, each and every time. This method is a 2-parter: boil the potatoes in salted water […]
