Gyro “Carbonara” with Whole Wheat Spaghetti
My kids grew up loving a good carbonara, the ultimate comfort food that’s crossed national boundaries to become one of the world’s most popular recipes. In a paean to Greek-Italian friendship, I’ve taken a few liberties with this version, and use Grecian Delight ready-to-eat gyro slices instead of the more classic bacon. Dare I call […]
Penne with Grilled Eggplant and Halloumi
This is an easy, summery dish that cooks up in no time and has universal appeal!
Grilled Banana Split with Pasteli & Chocolate-Hazelnut Cream
Banana splits are meant to be excessive, and this one gleefully is! I deck it out with a melted chocolate sauce made up mainly of Merenda, the Greek equivalent of Nutella – chocolate-hazelnut spread – and crushed pasteli, an ancient sesame-honey confection that we Greeks still love to eat.
Oven-Dried Tomatoes with Greek Balsamic and Wild Oregano
Oven-drying tomatoes is an easy, quick way to preserve the delicious, ripe flavors of summer. You need good aromatic tomatoes, a little salt and sugar, a spritz of balsamic and lots of great Greek extra virgin olive oil, which you can use as a seasoning in its own right.
Grilled Corn & Potato Greek Salad with Purslane & Cherry Tomatoes
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!
Ikarian Greek Honey Dough Puffs – Loukoumades
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 […]
Grilled Summer Fruit Packets with Greek Wine and Greek Yogurt
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 […]
Ikaria Longevity Zucchini Patties, with Greek Oregano & Mint
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!
Piperonata
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.
Mushroom “Gyro” Pita Wrap Sandwich
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 […]
Fresh Chilled Tomato Soup with Bulgur and Greek Olive Oil
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 […]
Summer Greens Pasta al Pesto with Aegina Pistachios, Greek Olive Oil & Feta
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 […]