Have you ever heard of ladopita? This is a traditional dessert that stems from the Greek island of Lefkada. It means olive oil pie. A handful of simple ingredients, and sweetened with a combination of honey and sugar, and simply spiced with a cinnamon stick. This is one of those beautiful old world desserts, that … Continue reading Leta’s Ladopita -from Lefkada
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
Greeks love tahini halva. And when Lent comes around, it truly becomes a staple sweet in our homes. Traditionally, it is made with sugar, because it is technically a candy. It is made all over the Middle East and Balkans. In Greece we call it “halva tou bakali” or the halva from the grocer. The … Continue reading Tahini Halva Fudge with Pistachios
When I was fresh out of college in the mid 90s, I interned for a time with Interview Magazine in Soho. One of my absolute favorite lunch spots was Kelley & Ping, an Asian market & noodle house, on Greene Street. My favorite item on their menu was their cold sesame noodles! Everything about this … Continue reading Sesame Peanut Noodle Bowl
on xenia street 