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 […]
Seared & Braised Breasts of Chicken
This following post is actually about a non-visit during my recent stay in New York. Despite my having a full week to sight-see, explore, eat & drink and meet folks along the way – there just wasn’t enough time to patronize all the Greek restaurants of note. Upon my return from New York, I’ve even […]
Slow Prime Rib Roast au Jus
Another Christmas has come and gone. I hope all of you had a restful day, nothing too stressed, few family arguments, much laughter and memorable moments. I spent my day with my immediate family and we enjoyed a classic Prime Rib Roast with the usual fixins’ and some Greek touches. For as long as I […]
‘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 […]
Rabbit Stifado (Κουνέλι-Στιφάδο)
Lamb and sheep are cute animals, chickens are cute when they are born, calves are cute, turkeys are majestic with their plumage, deer are a adorable. All the above animals do not posess the “Fugly” gene yet we eat them. Rabbits are cute and sadly delicious! I just wanted to draw the parallel before any […]
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 […]
Vrasto (βραστό)
Across Greece and especially around the city of Thessaloniki, one will find these shops that are open all night, serving up hot bowls of soup, be it summer or winter. These joints are called “Patzatzidika”, serving up the main soup known as “Patsa”. A Patsa is a soup that contains boiled tripe, pigs feet and […]
Broiled Scallops (Χτένια-ψητά)
Greeks love their seafood and it’s no wonder…one is never more than a three hour drive from the sea. One of my faves has to be scallops and when I recently found some live scallops in their shell, I pounced on the opportunity to cook with such a rare delight. When one finds scallops in […]
Thyme Scented Mushrooms (Αρωματικά-μανιτάρια-με-θυμάρι)
Greeks take pride in serving up quality appetizers/mezedes for their friends and relatives. Like most of you, we are in full festive season gear with friends dropping by and dropping in on friends. One thing you’ll notice about the hospitality of the Greeks is that one never gets the sense of being rushed. In good […]
