Bakaliaros Skordalia
Today is March 25th, the celebration of Greek Independence Day and it draws inspiration from one of the holiest days for the Greeks, the Annuciation of the Theotokos. On this day, Gabriel the archangel announced to Mary that she will bear a child. The Bishop of Patra, Germanos sparked the struggle for Greek Independance from […]
Baked Feta
There’s no turning back. Spring is here and I’m excited that the days are getting longer, the sun now warms my back, birds chirping, buds on trees are forming. Although Canadians will grill even in the coldest months, we’re now upon outdoor grilling season and it won’t be too long before we’re eating outdoors. This […]
Octopus and Pasta Bake
Last year during my vacation in Greece, I spent a couple of days in Naxos for a traditional Greek island wedding and then my plan was to visit the island of Sifnos for the first time. Oh yeah, I got to Sifnos but when one is in Greece, one should always expect a little adventure […]
Pork Chops With Mushrooms and Red Peppers
One of the sources of inspiration for my cooking is to be found right here in Canada. I’ve relayed to you how I live in a multi-cultural country where many influences cross, overlap and borrow from each other. I don’t think one can really “pin down” Canadian food other than it being diverse, both comforting […]
Vasilli’s Mushrooms With Ouzo
This dish comes from one of the most striking areas of Greece and we’re not talking about a Greek island or drop-dead gorgeous beach. I’m speaking of the Vikos Gorge, located in the northwestern province of Epirus. The first time I passed through this part of Greece was in 1988, on my way to the […]
Fassoulada (φασολάδα)
Recipe update from Oct.16, 2007: Fassoulada is a Greek navy bean soup. It’s a standard dish during Lent, appears on the Greek kitchen table on many a Friday when meat is not consumed and frankly, one of the most enjoyable yet rustic dishes in the Greek repertoire of cooking. This soup is best enjoyed with […]
Nina’s Pasta Cu L’agghia
Okay, here’s the deal…Greek Lent began two Mondays ago and Greek Easter is on April 19th. I observed a “fast” for one week and I’ll fast again during Holy Week (just before Easter). I’ve made a shift in my diet whereby I’ve cut down on meat. Less poultry, less beef and pork. I will never […]
Artichokes and Other Lenten Delights
Continuing on with the Lenten Feast I originally displayed for you last weekend, today I’m featuring artichokes, amaranth and cuttlefish. Cuttlefish are cousins to octopus and squid and they belong to the class of cephalopods. Much like octopus and squid, they too squirt ink, have internal organs and the shield-shaped cuttlefish bone is it’s spinal […]
Shrimp, Roe and Dolmades
One of the ways that I “survive” fasting during Greek Lent is by enjoying a diet of shellfish. Shellfish do not have blood and therefore they are acceptable sustenance during the 49 day fasting period. I do not fast for the full 49 days but I do fast on the first and final week (Megali […]
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 […]
