Amaranth Leaves – aka Vlita
Amaranth, called Vlita in Greek, is one of the traditional Greek foods eaten in summer, when it’s in season. It’s a Mediterranean Diet dream ingredient, filled with amazing nutritional properties.
Author: Diane Kochilas
Stuffed Summer Vegetables – Gemista
Stuffed tomatoes and peppers are one of the great seasonal treats of a Greek summer: filling, robust, and suitable for vegans, vegetarians, carnivores and others! You can also serve them either hot, cold, or at room temperature.
Healthy: Mint
Mint tea is one of the countless herbal infusions sipped for breakfast in Greece. Mint is rich in iron, magnesium, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
Fish Baked with Okra
Fish baked with okra is a delicious summer dish from Crete.
Fun at the Spa: Therma, Ikaria
Ikaria’s mineral springs at Therma have been known since antiquity for their therapeutic properties.
How to stay thin while cooking….
My newest tip on this never-ending challenge, shared with me by a good friend: Chew gum while you cook (!!!), to stop grazing on everything in sight. Hmmm. Sound advice, but a cook who doesn’t try her own food? Can this be right?
Glorious Greek Cooking on Ikaria
Take a peak at the first day of “class” on Blue Zone Ikaria, as we share Greek cuisine with a wonderful group of people from all over the US and Australia.
Octopus Risotto
Cretan Mashed Broad Bean Skordalia
Here’s a great version of the classic Greek garlic dip, skordalia, from Crete, where it is made with broad beans.
Mt. Pelion Tahini-Walnut Skordalia
Skordalia, the classic Greek garlic dip that goes perfectly with fried fish, boiled beets and greens and much more, comes in many regional variations. This unusual take, from the mainland area of Mt. Pelion, calls for tahini.