Every single Greek household has a recipe. Gemista are considered healthy, home cooked comfort food. And while there is a standard universal recipe, every cook brings their unique touch and love to this dish! I grew up eating them stuffed with a mixture of ground beef, rice and vegetables. In other households, they were stuffed … Continue reading Gemista – Greek Stuffed Summer Vegetables
During the hot summers, ice cream is always a favorite around here! Years ago I discovered how to make no churn ice cream and I haven’t turned back since. And you can create any flavor that you wish! This one is made with baklava and a touch of ouzo. Who doesn’t love baklava? Wonderful phyllo … Continue reading No Churn Baklava Ice Cream
Keftedakia are Greek meatballs. This is Mama Julia’s recipe (my mom), who got it from her mother, yiayia Anneta. Very simple to make! I have been eating them this way since I was a child. Note that these are eyeball estimates, so you can play with the amounts to your liking. Old school home cooks … Continue reading Keftedakia- Greek Meatballs
Fanouropita is a traditional Greek Orthodox Christian cake or pita, that we lovingly refer to as a lost and found cake. It is made in honor of Saint Fanourios, the patron saint of lost objects. My bestie called me over recently and asked if I would help her with this task, since this is my … Continue reading Fanouropita
Every Greek chef has their own version of briam, also known as tourlou tourlou. In simple terms it’s roasted mixed vegetables. Zucchini, eggplant, and onion seem to be a staple of the dish. However you can also add potatoes and peppers. Some use fresh tomatoes, while others use tomato sauce. Across the internet you will … Continue reading Briam – Tourlou Tourlou
On National Feta Day (June 14th) I thought that I would introduce you to a very easy feta cheese spread that is a regional recipe from Kefalonia, called “kefalonitiki stouba” - «κεφαλλονίτικη στούμπα». Kefalonitiki Stouba My pappou Dionysi used to make a huge batch of this every year & I loved to eat it with … Continue reading Kefalonitiki Stouba – Feta Cheese Spread from Kefalonia
Have you ever had halva made from semolina? This is the recipe that my mother would make when I was a child. Halvas Simigdalenios - or Semolina Halva. It is studded with nuts like pistachio, pine nuts or almonds, and dried fruit like raisins. Spiced with cinnamon & flavored with orange or lemon zest. It’s … Continue reading Greek Semolina Halva
Pasteli (or pastelia) is a Greek ancestral food. We have been eating this since antiquity. It is made with two rather supercharged superfood ingredients, honey & sesame seeds. I love to add a little grated citrus peel & a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. We refer to it as an Ancient Greek energy … Continue reading Pastelia
Two of the most popular pites (pies) are the spanakopita (spinach pie) and the tiropita (cheese pie. Every region in Greece has their own regional variation and every famly has their own special recipe for these. I grew up eating and loving both. Now, you may ask why I would publish two difference pites in … Continue reading Traditional Spanakopita & Tiropita
It’s Tsiknopempti today for the Greek Orthodox Christians & it’s our traditional meat feast right before the Great Lent. Tsiknopempti literally translates to "burnt, charred, smoky meat Thursday". Its basically the Eastern Orthodox version of Fat Tuesday. Apokries (abstaining from meat), our carnival season is made up of three themed weeks. Prophoni (preannouncement of the … Continue reading Beef Liver & Heart Souvlaki
on xenia street 