Main Ingredient Recipes
Beets are an unusual but delicious addition to classic risotto, made here with Greek rice or with Italian risotto rice. Greek rice is something to look for because it is naturally flavorful, thanks to the close proximity of Greek rice fields to the sea. Most Greek rice grows in Macedonia. Greek rice is also free […]
One of he things that deters me from sometimes making lemon roasted chicken and potatoes is the cleanup! Too many pans! I’ve simplified a Greek classic by putting everything together in one pan. Note, too, that olive oil is crucial to the final flavor of this dish, as it’s drizzled over the finished chicken breasts […]
The door to my kitchen on Ikaria opens up onto our little stone terrace and a few years ago Vassili planted an herb bed in a dirt patch he left unpaved right in the middle, under a trellis of grapes and between a few very old almond trees. We’ve planted rosemary, sage, mints, lavender, oregano, […]
One of the best winter salads in Greece is a kind of slaw, called Politiki Salata, made with cabbage, carrots, and dill. I re-invent it a bit here, using broccoli stems, too, as a way to use up something that we typically discard but that is both delicious and nutritious. To find some of the […]
Everyone loves a great meatball! Here is an easy recipe that marries classic Greek keftedes — meatballs — with a dish called spetzofai, which is a pepper and tomato stew. Cook up a batch of pasta and add new (Greek!) meaning to the term spaghetti and meatballs! To find some of the artisinal Greek products […]
Inspired by the filling for a savory phyllo pie called Pita Kaisarias, this chicken dish is tangy and bold, and easy to make!
Sometimes we really do only want to cook for about 10 minutes! This easy pasta recipe makes that possible. I love the slightly bitter flavor of wilted arugula and the spiciness of the peppers. You can add cheese if you want. I prefer to keep it vegan. To find some of the artisinal Greek products […]
Lentils have it all: They are one of the world’s healthiest foods and also one its most versatile, pairing beautifully with so many dfferent vegetables, herbs and spices. They are a great source of fiber, protein, and a whole range of minerals, especially phosphate, copper and iron. On Ikaria they were and still are a […]
Black Eyed Peas are a traditional good luck dish at New Year’s throughout much of the American South and elsewhere. In Greece, it doesn’t have to be New Year’s to enjoy them. This is a take on a traditional Greek stew, gussied up with some delicious pomegranate. To find some of the artisinal Greek products […]
The first time I heard about this version of stuffed cabbage I was literally sitting next to the fireplace in the home where my father grew up and where my 95-year-old Aunt Mary still lived. Until she passed away a few years ago, she was a great source of knowledge about old Ikarian dishes. She […]