Galaktoboureko is one of those gorgeous, decadent & delicious Greek desserts that are based in a semolina custard and are phyllo wrapped. It is drenched in a lemon honey simple syrup, which is spiced with a little cinnamon & clove. Our family friend, Eleni would make this for holidays and hers was absolutely superb! We … Continue reading Galaktoboureko
Rizogalo! Nearly every Greeks favorite simply made “mommy” food. Possibly the epitome of homey comfort. I have the best memories of my mother making this late at night & then finding bowls cinnamon dusted rizogalo on the kitchen counter! Rizogalo, or rice pudding, has been known as a Greek favorite food all the way to … Continue reading Rizogalo-Greek Rice Pudding
One of my coworkers kept telling me about this St. Louis original breakfast pastry called the Missouri Gooey Butter Cake. I had to find a recipe because it just sounded so good! The legend is that a baker in 1930s St. Louis made a mistake in his coffee cake recipe proportions. Instead of tossing it … Continue reading Missouri Gooey Butter Cake
Today has been bread making day in my kitchen.This is lagana. It is a traditional flatbread that we eat on “Kathara Deutera”, called Clean Monday. You might call it Ash Monday, as the Catholic equivalent to this is Ash Wednesday. We enter the Lenten period leading up to Easter joyously. This day (tomorrow) is a … Continue reading Lagana – Greek Flat Bread
The biggest Greek New Years tradition, is the baking and cutting of the Vasilopita! It is the St. Basil’s cake. There is a hidden coin, called a flouri in it, and when we cut the cake, the winner of that coin is granted good luck for the new year. This day is observed for our … Continue reading Vasilopita- Brandy & Orange New Years Cake
Melomakarona are Greek honey cookies. They are very popular during the holiday season. We make them early in December and continue to enjoy them through the New Year. The cookies are spiced with cinnamon, clove and orange. And finally they are soaked in a delicious honey syrup. Greeks love their traditions. In fact we are … Continue reading Melomakarona- Greek Honey Cookies
Pumpkin season is officially here! And it’s one of my absolute favorite flavors! This pumpkin cream is made with real pumpkin. Pour this over iced cold brew coffee or into a latte. Sweeten it to taste. Mine is unsweetened, because I don’t usually sweeten my coffee drinks. But you can use your favorite one! You … Continue reading Pumpkin Cream for Coffee
I was given a bag of oranges recently and so wanted to make a dessert using a few of them. This beautiful orange bundt cake is fragranced with three aromatic oranges, using both the zest and the juice. Then it is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla extract. You can spoon the batter into … Continue reading Orange Spice Cake
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
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