On Ikaria, my native island and a Blue Zone, renowned for the longevity of its inhabitants, there are lots of secrets to my fellow islanders’ legendary life spans. Weeds – or, better put, wild (and cultivated) edible greens and herbs – are key! And while Mediterranean gardens are loaded up with plenty of varieties, today I want to focus on arugula, one of the most beloved salad greens in the Mediterranean. It grows wild on the island but it is also a favorite cultivated green, too.
What is the Mediterranean diet? It’s something I talk about a lot, but how is it possible to nail down exactly what it is? Some might say it consists of specific dishes like Greek salad and hummus, but it’s really much more than a list of recipes.
When you think of Greek produce, what comes to mind first? Probably tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers – all the basics of a horiatiki, right? Yes, those vegetables are all great, and particularly wonderful when grown from the Greek earth! But there is so much more to the Greek table, especially in springtime, when gardens on the […]
It’s time to officially get working on the bread of Greek Easter, tsoureki! It’s one of several foods that is prevalent on the Greek Easter table. This is a braided brioche-like bread that is studded with red-dyed eggs. Making tsoureki is time-consuming but can also be fun if you’re armed with the right recipe and the right tips.
Holy Week is right around the corner here in Greece! Holy Week, or as Greeks call it, “Megali Evdomada,” marks the week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, and it also indicates the beginning of the end of the Lenten season. It’s also the last chance to enjoy some of my personal favorite Greek dishes […]
After a winter that seemed to last for ages, Greece has finally stepped fully into spring, which means the arrival of spring garden vegetables and a whole crop of new Mediterranean diet recipes. Key among them is fresh lettuce, a perfectly crisp addition to so many great Greek recipes!
Ancient artichokes are a harbinger of spring in Greece and throughout the Mediterranean. Countless regional recipes abound for cooking them every which way.
Greek salad is a legendary part of the Greek-Mediterranean diet, and there are many Greek salads to speak of, each enjoyed in its season with whatever is fresh. This Greek salad is typically savored in spring, when tender lettuce is at its peak. It’s usually served shredded and dressed with a simple olive oil-lemon […]
It’s Cheese Fare Week in Greece and cheese pies, aka tyropites, are one of the most beguiling aspects of the Greek kitchen. Pull out the feta and phyllo, and read about the many different regional variations!
Smoky Thursday is the meat-eating feast before Lent. Read about this delicious tradition and enjoy a few succulent meat dishes that will please everyone’s inner carnivore.
