It’s been my experience that all cooks have their little secrets, ingredients they embrace often to add that something special (and unidentifiable) to a dish. A few of those little secrets come into play in this classic Greek tomato sauce, seasoned with the trio of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. It’s wonderful with pasta and it […]
This colorful Greek salad is hearty and healthy, especially with the addition of purslane, one of the world’s most nutritious wild greens. You probably have it growing in your backyard but don’t know it! Try sprinkling a little Greek feta on top for fun!
Loukoumades are essentially Greek doughnuts, with or without a hole. On Ikaria, loukoumades are almost always drizzled with Ikarian pine honey, sprinkled with cinnamon and, of course, served warm. You can also serve them sprinkled with sesame seeds. The secret is not to let the yeasty batter sit too little or too long. The former […]
I loved grilled fruit, especially when seasoned with a little Greek wine. This is the perfect Mediterranean Diet dessert: light, fresh, easy, and made with healthy ingredients like fresh fruit and Greek yogurt. You can swap out the plums and grapes for peaches, nectarines and cherries. Served with Greek yogurt, this is an easy, elegant […]
In the summer gardens of Ikaria, the island of longevity, zucchini prevails! This local Ikaria recipe for zucchini fritters is one of the most popular Greek summer recipes on the island. Serve it with Greek yogurt or tzatziki, and sip a little Greek ouzo for pleasure, too!
August 15th is the peak of Greek summer, when all of Greece shuts down. It is the holiday of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, but despite the sobriety of the day, it’s also one of the most festive, with panygyria (feasts of food and dancing) everywhere. Especially on Ikaria, which is home to what […]
I tried out this recipe for the first time at a friend’s house many years ago. She had served it as part of a Lenten table. It’s not a traditional fasting dish, but it certainly fits the bill. It’s delicious over great bread and can easily be dressed up with a sprinkling of crumbled feta.
Everyone loves a down’n’dirty gyro, the thin slices of pork or chicken (not lamb as many people believe) shaved off a layered stack that grills slowly on an upright rotisserie. It’s classic Greek street food. But most of us feel a little guilty when indulging in it because in most cases the meat is processed […]
This recipe is inspired by an old, traditional dish from the region of Sparta, in the Peloponnesos. The dish speaks tomes for how traditional cooks invented easy dishes that enabled them to feed large families with little hassle, the better to have time for working in fields. To find the Spartan olive oil that will […]
During Greek summer, on my Greek table, I am always looking for easy, practically no-cook Greek recipes, especially those that are in line with the healthy Ikaria longevity way of eating and living. Greens, garlic, olive oil are all important elements in the Greek-Mediterranean diet. Try this Ikaria longevity and Mediterranean Diet recipe for a […]