This Amygdalopita, is a traditional syrup soaked almond cake from Kefalonia. Kefalonia has a long history of almond based desserts, as islanders cultivated almond trees. Sweet treats like mandoles, mandolato, amygdalota, amygdalopita, and even bitter almond liqueur. There is something incredibly special about making an old recipe exactly as it was written, no modern measuring … Continue reading Amygdalopita from Kefalonia
Kolokithokeftedes
My Yiayia Artanoula was known for her Kolokithokeftedes! She was my dad’s mom that lived in Kefalonia. They are Greek zucchini fritters. A mixture of grated zucchini, fresh herbs, and of course feta cheese. Fried into patties. Kolokithokeftedes & tzatziki for dipping You can find them on the menu of nearly every Greek taverna you … Continue reading Kolokithokeftedes
Chicken Pot Pie
I think that chicken pot pie is the ultimate in American comfort food! Tender juicy chicken, vegetables, and herbs swimming in a creamy sauce, encased in a buttery, flaky, golden crust. Did you know that this type of pie goes back thousands of years? The Ancient Greeks were the first that we know of that … Continue reading Chicken Pot Pie
Giouvarlakia (Youvarlakia)
Giouvarlakia is an avgolemono meatball soup. It’s the ultimate in Greek comfort food. A favorite across the board. You may have noticed that we utilize creamy avgolemono in many of our traditional dishes. As both a sauce or a soup, it offers a beautiful lemony tang that we love. And avgolemono is creamy without using … Continue reading Giouvarlakia (Youvarlakia)
Mizithropita (Ricotta Cheesecake) from Kefalonia
There is one dessert that reminds me of yiayia Anneta, whose kitchen I grew up in. While she made multiple types of traditional desserts that I associate with her, this one in particular no one else that I knew made. It is a ricotta based cheescake that is a regional sepcialty to Kefalonia, where we … Continue reading Mizithropita (Ricotta Cheesecake) from Kefalonia
Beef Stifado
Beef Stifado is one of those dishes that fills the kitchen with the unmistakable aromas of Greek home cooking. Tender chunks of beef slowly simmer with sweet little onions, red wine, tomato, cinnamon, allspice, and bay until everything comes together in a rich, deeply savory sauce. The onions soften and become almost buttery, adding just … Continue reading Beef Stifado
Kreatopita from Kefalonia
This meat pie is the most prominent dish from the Greek island that my family hails from, Kefalonia. We are famous for it. It is the dish that appears at nearly every major celebration. And it is the special dish that holds an incredible amount of memories for all of us.
Baklava with mixed nuts
I love baklava! Greeks love baklava. In fact, the whole of the Balkans and the Middle East loves baklava. Even better is that everyone I speak to loves baklava!!! Did you know that baklava’s roots trace all the way back to Ancient Greece — as far back as Minoan Crete around 3100 B.C.? An early … Continue reading Baklava with mixed nuts
Gigantes Plaki – Greek Baked Beans
Gigantes Plaki. These are the famous Greek baked beans. The ultimate in Greek comfort food! We eat them all year long, and they are perfect as a side dish or the main course. We use Greek gigantic or giant beans for this recipe, but if you can’t find them, you can use Lima beans or … Continue reading Gigantes Plaki – Greek Baked Beans
Kariokes
This is one of my favorite nostalgic Greek treats. And it’s so easy to make too! One of my aunts in Kefalonia always had them in the fridge ready for guests to serve with Greek coffee. I remember them on her three tiered candy dish. It’s the perfect no bake refrigerator dessert. All you need … Continue reading Kariokes
Greek coffee and cocoa infused koulourakia
Koulourakia are a favorite cookie among Greeks! It’s likely the first one you helped your mom shape as a kid with your little hands. It’s a delicious butter cookie. Now did you know that you can play around with the classic flavor and make something different? I was inspired by my good friend, Chef Krystina … Continue reading Greek coffee and cocoa infused koulourakia
