This one is for my vegan friends, and for those who fast for Lent leading up to Easter. This is one of my favorite cookies growing up in NYC, where Greek bake shops are everywhere! One of the best parts of living in Queens was how exposed to our Greek culture I was able to … Continue reading Moustokouloura-Greek Grape Molasses Cookies
There is a huge misconception that the falafel that you find in Middle Eastern cuisine should be lumped together into Greek cuisine. I am here to tell you that it isn’t. In some parts of the Aegean, you will find revithokeftedes, or chickpea fritters. However, they are simply not the same thing as falafel. We … Continue reading Revithokeftedes – Chickpea Fritters
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
This is a vlitopita! It’s my first time making it. What to do with so much vlita (amaranth plants) that I have? Use some in a pita! So this savory pie is one of the very many Greek pites that we see all over Greece. Everyone knows spanakopita & tiropita. Those are only two! We make hundreds of them! Both sweet & savory.
Bougatsa is among many Greek favorites! This is the recipe that I have been using for over 20 years. It’s one of my most cherished treats to bake when I have dinner guests. I actually pop it in the oven during the time that we are eating dinner so that the scents waft from the … Continue reading Bougatsa- Baked Semolina Custard Pie
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
Growing up, kourabiedes were my favorite Christmas cookie. They were available to us at home throughout all of December. My mother and my yiayia made sure of it! They are a butter cookie that are studded with chopped, roasted almonds. I blanch my almonds, though you don’t have to. The batter can have either cognac … Continue reading Kourabiedes -Greek Almond & Butter Christmas Cookies
It’s the tail end of fig season, and I thought how lovely would it be to make a jar of fig jam. I have added a little fresh woodsy rosemary to enhance the floral flavor of the fig. A cinnamon stick for earthiness, lemon zest for brightness, and a hint of vanilla to enhance the … Continue reading Fig & Rosemary Jam
Have you ever had pastitsio? The famous Greek pasta bake? The one that is layered with pasta, a cinnamon fragranced meat sauce, and a thick layer of creamy bechamel? You know the one that every Greek swears that their mother or yiayia make the most amazing one ever? Yes! That’s the one! Every single Greek … Continue reading Pastitsio
on xenia street 