Season 2 of ‘My Greek Table’ Series
The fig and the olive are a relatively new match for two of the oldest Mediterranean foods. Mastiha (mastic) infuses the stuffing as it bakes and adds one more undertone to this rich, flavorful, but simple chicken dish.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Greek cuisine is the continuity of use of so many ingredients from prehistoric times to the present. Among the oldest ingredients still revered today are honey, olive oil, herbs, and native pulses, first among which is the humble lentil. Honey, together with spices and herbs, was often used […]
The salty, briny flavor of feta goes surprisingly well with honey, a combination that contemporary Greek chefs have been experimenting with for about the last decade. This recipe is a variation on several cheese-based specialties that are traditional Greek mezedes.One of those specialties is saganaki, its most common iteration the pan-fried cheese that is a […]
This dish definitely elevates the whole concept of pork and beans! In Greece, hearty stews that combined meat and vegetables or beans, were a way to stretch a meal, providing a little animal protein to every member of the family, for example, while filling bellies on more economical raw ingredients such as chickpeas, an ancient […]
There are so many great recipes all over Greece for braised or baked giant beans, called gigantes. These butter, comforting beans marry well with everything from tomatoes to feta and spinach. This recipe is one of my favorites and may be served as an appetizer, vegetarian main course, side dish or meze. You can also […]
Fasolada, the classic Greek bean soup, comes in many regional variations. In Western Crete, for example, a few strips of orange zest are sometimes added to the soup as it simmers. In the north of Greece, where the palate is spicier, fasolada is often seasoned with boukovo (hot pepper flakes), or a couple of hot […]
As a kid of the 1970s, I grew up on pizza muffins! They were my favorite afternoon snack and among the first experiences I had “cooking.” I’ve reworked the concept here using pita bread, fresh tomatoes and feta cheese, a trio made in heaven. This makes for a great snack no matter what time of […]
One of the classics of Greek meat cookery is a one-pot stew called Kokinisto, which means red, for the tomato that goes into it. This is a variation of that recipe, enriched with a complex nexus of herbs and spices that give the dish a rich, multi-faceted flavor.
These lovely little open-faced tomato and onion pies, called ladenia, are almost like pizza and make for what is arguably the best-known dish on the islands of Milos and Kimolos. They are typically made and sold by local bread bakers. Served with a fresh greens salad they make a great light lunch or buffet dish. […]
One of the absolute classics of Greek summer, but also delicious year-round, green beans yiahni are an easy, luscious casserole of fresh beans slowly cooked in olive oil, with tomatoes, onions, potatoes and herbs. All you need is a chunk of feta and a bit of good bread to complete this wonderful vegetarian main course.