Meze / Starters Recipes
This Melitzanosalata with Miso, Tahini, and Petimezi is a modern interpretation of a beloved Greek classic—one that speaks to the evolving, inclusive nature of Mediterranean hospitality. Featured in My Greek Table Season 5: Flavors of Longevity, episode Hospitality on the Plate, it reflects how food cultures grow richer when ideas are exchanged across tables and […]
These Baked Chickpea–Pumpkin Patties with Mint are a warm, comforting expression of the everyday hospitality that defines Greek and Mediterranean food culture. Featured in My Greek Table, Season 5: Flavors of Longevity, in the episode Hospitality on the Plate, this recipe reflects how longevity is nurtured not only through healthy ingredients, but through generosity, […]
Discover the authentic Greek flavor of marinated feta in extra virgin Greek olive oil, inspired by My Greek Table Season 5: Olive Oil & Longevity. This simple, heart-healthy starter showcases olive oil usage in Greek cooking and highlights why extra virgin olive oil and herbs are staples of Mediterranean diet longevity traditions.
Mashed potatoes don’t have to be heavy to be comforting. In this version, I take classic potatoes and give them a Greek, savory-tzatziki twist: whipped cottage cheese for creaminess and protein, Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, dill, lemon, garlic, and a finish of olive oil. The result is a mash that’s fresh, bright, and very […]
Eggplant Rolls with Walnut “Meat” offer a vibrant, plant-forward bite inspired by Greek Aegean longevity cooking. Smoky eggplant and herby walnut filling come together in a vegan dish featured in My Greek Table: The Foods of Longevity. Finished with pomegranate, mint, and parsley, these Mediterranean rolls are perfect as a main or starter. Try […]
A colorful, health‑forward tzatziki meze made with swiss chard, beet greens and spinach from My Greek Table Season 5. Embrace plant‑based longevity with Greek yogurt and vibrant greens.
Discover the rich culinary traditions of Athens with this irresistible recipe for Greek keftedes (meatballs) in an ouzo-infused tomato sauce, straight from the pages of my book Athens: Food, Stories, Love. Inspired by family-run tavernas like the historic Katsogiannos in Piraeus, these ouzo keftedes are a delicious testament to the comforting, full-flavored foods of […]
Transport your kitchen to one of Athens’ most historic suburbs, Nea Ionia, with these golden crispy fried feta triangles—an authentic, vegetarian Greek meze that celebrates the vibrant food history of the Greek capital.These irresistible triangles combine a flaky homemade dough with a rich, savory filling of tangy feta and creamy Greek myzithra (or ricotta), […]
In Greece, no mezze table is complete without dips and spreads that bring together simple ingredients with bold Mediterranean flavors. Among them, Taramosalata—the iconic Greek fish roe dip—is perhaps the most beloved. Traditionally made with cod roe, olive oil, lemon juice, and either bread or potato, taramosalata offers a creamy, tangy burst of the […]
This Sweet Potato Saganaki with Sausage is a favorite from my book Athens: Food, Stories, Love (St. Martin’s Press), where I explore the evolution of Greek cuisine in today’s Athens. Chefs are reimagining saganaki—traditionally a cheese meze—as a vegetable-driven skillet dish, like this one with sweet potatoes, sausage, leeks, garlic, and Greek oregano. Savory, […]