Nut-Stuffed Shredded Wheat Rolls, Ioannina Style / Kataifi Yanniotiko

Most people who are familiar with kataifi, the thin-strand pastry, think it is actually shredded wheat or shredded phyllo. In fact, it’s made with a batter that is poured through a tiny-holed spout onto a large, hot, circle griddle that spins slowly, thus creating the vermicell-like effect. From what I know, a few places still […]

Olive Oil Nut-and-Spice Cookies / Melomakarona me Elaiolado

These cookies are a Greek Christmas specialty, but they are great with your morning coffee every day of the year, too. These cookies are a Greek Christmas specialty, but they are great with your morning coffee every day of the year, too.

Fricasse of Fish and Greens

Fish with greens and avgolemono sauce

This subtle, tangy Greek fish dish is an underappreciated classic, even in Greece. It’s traditionally made with the thin-stalked dark green celery that Greeks call “selino” but which Americans might know as Chinese celery. You cal also make this with leafy greens, such as chard. To lend a truly authentic flavor to this luscious fish […]

Shrimp Saganaki with Ouzo and Feta

Shrimp, Olive Oil, Ouzo, Feta, Herbs

I can honestly say I’ve nevermet a soul who didn’t love this Greek taverna classic. It’s super easy to make at home, too. Look for the olive oil, tomatoes and herbs used to make it on my online store here.

Octopus Baked in Paper / Htapodi Yioulbasi

Octopus Baked in Paper

I first encountered this delicious, succulent octopus recipe inland in the Peloponnese, near Mantineia, one of the great wine-producing regions of Greece. Baking octopus in paper helps retain all its juices and also makes for a dramatic presentation. Try it with an aromatic Moschofilero wine from the same region.

Octopus Cooked with Fennel, Orange and Green Olives

Braised octopus with caramelized leeks, oranges, mixed olives

4 servings as a main course   1 large red onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped ½ cup/120 ml olive oil, or slightly more if desired 1 medium-size octopus (2-2 ½ pounds/1 -1.35 kilos) ½ cup ouzo 1 cup chopped plum tomatoes, or 1 can Greek whole Santorini tomatoes in their juices ½ cup fresh […]

Fish Tales: How to Know if it’s Fresh

Red Mullets and Capers make this a specialty of the Cyclades, in the Aegean.

It’s not by accident that literature is filled with references to the tricks unethical fishmongers will play. From the ancient comedy writers to Athenaeus to Shakespeare, the fishmonger is derided for everything from spraying fish with water to make it look fresh to overcharging for his goods. Not much has changed today.  So how, exactly […]

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