Kritsinia (Sesame-Covered Bread Sticks)
When in Greece, you will see Kritsinia in many places/spots as you sight-see, travel through the city or to the countryside. Kritsinia are bread sticks that often covered in sesame seeds or with an array of edible seeds. You may find Kritsinia at one of the many farmer’s markets that set up in neighborhoods in […]
Fries, Makalo & Melted Halloumi
This dish came together on a whim using some leftover Halloumi cheese that cleaning out, staring at some naked French Fries and the third component that screamed to be a blanket of hot goodness in the Makalo that was poured over the cubes of Halloumi cheese and Fries. This side dish, treat, indulgence is inspired […]
The Vine Grower’s Lamb (Arni tou Ampelourgou)
This dish screams of the many memories that vividly replay in my mind from my vacation in Greece this past summer. I started off in Thessaloniki (northern Greece) and settled in at my parents’ summer home in Halkidiki. Soon after, I embarked on my first foodie-related excursion by traveling a mere 6km to a neighboring […]
Patsavouropita
Remember that lady I told you about who would bring snacks to the beach? We’re gonna talk about her again here as she is also the person who offered my first Patsavouropita (and this recipe). Kiria (Mrs.) Eleni spends her summers in Halkidiki each summer (like our family): she’s from nearby Thessaloniki and we’re travel […]
Cheat Dolmades
Me thinks this blog is overdue for focusing on a side dish. We all make side dishes to go with our mains and in the blogging perspective, the side dish does get short shrift. The title of this dish translated into English is Rice With Grape Vine Leaves, Raisins and Pine Nuts. What I’ve done […]
Tourlou With Beans (Τουρλού με Φασόλια)
Inspired by a side dish I enjoyed recently at the newly opened Ruby Watchco, this dish makes for a wonderful vegetarian main course or a colourful side dish. Tourlou is a baked vegetable dish that is cooked often in Greek homes. The Greek kitchen is loaded with vegetarian options and this aspect of our cuisine […]
Potato Salad With Radishes & Smoked Octopus
I recently was sent some samples from a Pitenis Bros. in Greece that produces dips, pickled vegetables, dips and smoked fish and seafood. One of the more intriguing and delicious items in the care package sent to me was the smoked octopus. Yes, smoked octopus. Much like eel, trout or mackerel, the octopus also gets […]
Baked Gigantes Beans
Last year, one of the stops during my vacation to Greece was to Kastoria. Kastoria is the capital city of the Prefecture of…Kastoria. It’s located in northern Greece, northwestern Macedonia. This region of Greece is located on fertile, elevated plateaus and the economy is centered around its long history of fur trading, tourism and agriculture. […]
Seafood Cabbage Rolls (Λαχανοντολμάδες-με-Θαλασσινά)
WhenI first scanned over this recipe in a recent issue of Gastronomos, I was smitten with the concept of filling cabbage with seafood. In Greek cuisine, cabbage rolls are usually filled with mince and finished with a creamy Avgolemono (egg/lemon) sauce. This recipe is an obvious take or twist on the Greek classic: shrimp and […]
Grilled Lamb Chops
One of the most enjoyable grilling centerpieces for Greeks (or anyone that enjoys the outdoor grill) would have to be lamb chops. There are a few approaches…grill the whole rack and cut into individual chops, add an herb & crumb crust, marinades, spice variations….you name it! Like any dish that turns out wonderfully, the key […]