RED CABBAGE STEAKS BAKED WITH APPLES, HAZELNUTS AND FRESH THYME
TIPS FOR PERFECT CABBAGE STEAKS Choose a fresh, firm and crisp cabbage. Remove the outer leaves from the cabbage. Rinse the cabbage and pat dry. Cut off the bottom of the stem and use a sharp knife to cut the cabbage into 1-inch thick pieces. Season both sides of the cabbage steak. Make sure you […]
GREEN SALAD WITH BEETROOT, AVOCADO, FETA AND WALNUTS
WHY IS SALAD GOOD FOR US? In the Mediterranean, especially in Greece, salad is a de rigueur part of every meal except breakfast! Sometimes – indeed, often – it is the meal. Why is it so good for us? Here are two good reasons: It’s filling and it’s full of fiber! A salad is mostly […]
RIPE TOMATO SALAD WITH QUINOA, CRISPY ONIONS AND BASIL
A HEALTHY RECIPE FOR CRISPY ONIONS Ingredients ½ pound onions, peeled 2 Tbsp extra virgin Greek olive oil Sea salt and black pepper Instructions Preheat the oven to 400 F. Slice the onions into 1/4 inch and add them into a bowl. Coat them with olive oil and season them with sea salt and pepper. […]
ROAST BEETROOT “SPAGHETTI” WITH CARDAMOM AND SPICED GREEK YOGURT
A LITTLE CARDAMOM LORE Cardamom, native to India, was known to the ancient Greeks and used in making perfume, so highly esteemed was its aroma. That very same aroma informs so much cooking all over the world today – cardamom truly is one of the greatest spices on earth. In many parts of the world […]
PARSNIPS ROASTED WITH EVOO AND HERBS
ROASTING PARSNIPS AND SOME NUTRITION! You can cut the roasting time in half by parboiling the parsnips for about 7 minutes before putting them in the oven. Parsnips definitely aren’t at the top of the winter root vegetable list for most Greek cooks. That place would be taken by the likes of beetroot, celery root […]
ROASTED PUMPKIN SALAD WITH SPINACH, BLUE CHEESE AND NUTS
BLUE CHEESES & MORE Are you a blue cheese love or hater? How do you feel about Gorgonzola and Stilton, two of the most famous blue cheeses of the world? Did you know that there’s a PDO Greek cheese with a pungent, spicy flavor, made in most Cyclades islands, and especially in Mykonos called kopanisti? […]
Broad Bean Salad with Dill and Olive Oil
HOW TO PREP FRESH BROAD BEANS: The first step is opening the pods and taking out the beans. Then you need to remove the bean skins -as they tend to be tough. Since peeling them out can be challenging, blanching them first makes it much more manageable. You just need to blanch them for 3 […]
APPLE PINEAPPLE CARROT SPICED SALAD WITH BOILED EGGS
HOW TO BOIL EGGS TO GET A SOFT, CREAMY YOLK: Bring the water up to a boil, then lower it to a rapid simmer. Add the eggs to the pot, and start your timer. If you’re just cooking a couple of eggs, five minutes is perfect for a runny yolk. Cool the eggs slightly by […]
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 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 […]
Greek Vegetarian Penne with Charred Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil
In the Greek diet, pasta figures in both vegetarian recipes and with animal protein, such as the classic baked Greek pasta recipe, pastitsio. My personal favorites are the Greek pasta recipes that bring to mind the best of the Mediterranean diet, with Mediterranean ingredients that focus on plants. This Greek recipe for penne calls for […]
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 […]