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
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
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
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
Broccoli is that vegetable that you either loved or hated as a kid. While as an adult, you probably enjoy the complexity of its flavor. And with all of those wonderful vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, this low calorie food makes for one of the best side dishes. My favorite way to eat it is roasted. … Continue reading Roasted Balsamic Broccoli
Greeks love to eat horta! Horta are wild greens that are usually dark and leafy. One of my dad’s favorite horta are the red stem dandelion greens. And not only him, but most Greeks, including my uncle Nick, who picked these for me from his bountiful garden! We call them radikia. He sent me home … Continue reading Radikia – Red Dandelion Greens
on xenia street 