Zucchini Patties with Corn & Herbs

Zucchini is one of the most popular vegetables in the Greek diet and in the Mediterranean diet overall. This garden classic is very versatile. In Greek cooking, it is prepared in countless ways: grated and as a filling for many different regional savory pies, cut into rounds or fingers and pan-fried as a classic meze, stuffed, and also turned into delicious patties. This recipe is a variation of one that I do at my cooking school on the Blue Zone Greek island of Ikaria. It’s packed with Mediterranean diet ingredients and is gorgeous, delicious and nutritious!
Greek Meatballs with Avgolemono and Santorini Capers

Greek meatballs, aka keftedes, are an all-time Greek classic! This Greek recipe for meatballs goes a step or two further, with a cloak of avgolemono, the tangy Greek egg-lemon sauce, and a few tablespoons of Santorini capers to perk up the whole dish. It also calls for lamb, so makes for a whole new take […]
Greek Vegan Sautéed Anaheim Peppers with Basil and Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil

Greek summer recipes for peppers abound, from simple roasted peppers garnished with extra virgin Greek olive oil and Greek oregano to stuffed peppers, pepper and sausage stews and more. This simple meze or side dish is a great and easy way to cook summer peppers. Favorite varieties include Anaheim peppers, banana peppers or just plain […]
GRILLED EGGPLANT PANINI

Chipotle peppers aren’t a traditional variety in the Mediterannean, but this dish was born out of my work in the kitchen at New York’s Pylos, where the chef, Juan Tzitzimititla, sometimes throws together what I like to call Med-Med treats for himself and his Mexican cooks. Munch on this simple sandwich at lunchtime with a […]
Panfried Eggplant with Crumbled Feta

Eggplants with feta are found in tavernas and prepared at home with equal gusto. You don’t even have to follow through the last step -broiling the dish so that the cheese melts. Once the eggplants are softened in the skillet, you can serve them, warm or at room temperature, with feta crumbled on top.
CHILLED BEET-TOMATO BORSCHT

BEETROOT NUTRITION: Beets – both the greens and the bulbs – are an important part of the Ikaria diet and an important ingredient in the Greek and Mediterranean diets. The greens are nutritionally comparable to iron-rich spinach but the bulbs are also very healthy, although they contain natural sugars and carbs. Overall, beets are a […]
Dolmades – Grape Leaves stuffed with Rice, Onions, and Herbs
The Simplest Spicy Shrimp

SERVING TIP: You can serve these shrimp as is, or over brown rice or quinoa.
Spinach Graviera Crustless Quiche

A TIP FOR CRUSTLESS QUICHE You can freeze your crustless quiche either whole or in slices. Leave it in the fridge overnight to defrost. It can then be served either cold or hot; reheat in the oven, covered loosely with foil until heated through.
Zucchini Veloute

ABOUT VEGETABLE SOUPS: One of my favorite ways to cook vegetables is in soups, and the variations and versatility are endless. You can make almost any vegetable into a simple but elegant soup and the beauty is in the garnishing. Drizzle thin threads of olive oil over the soup; stream a little balsamic or honey […]
Lentil Tabbouleh with Crumbled Eggs

FUN FACT: Lentil soup is the most traditional way in the Greek kitchen to cook this ancient pulse. But even the humble lentil has evolved and is now used in more sophisticated dishes, playing off tradition but totally modern, too. This easy salad is one example.
Green Pea Quiche

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN FETA: For one it should be Greek! Feta is a protected designation of origin cheese allowed by EU law to be produced only in Greece, where it is a traditional dairy product. American “feta” is made with cow’s milk and sometimes with goat’s milk, and is generally salty and coarse. […]