Christmas Recipes
Drunken chestnuts have long been a specialty around Christmas time in Italy, mainly Tuscany. In Greece, blessed with thousands of chestnut trees, this dessert is definitely borrowed. Instead of red wine, I use raki or ouzo. The anise flavor of the beverage pairs beautifully with the chestnuts’ earthy sweetness.
Duck, papia in Greek, is a special treat usually reserved for holidays or hunters. This simple Xinomavro Duck recipe marries one of the world’s richest meats with a tannic Greek red wine, Xinomavro, typically from Naoussa and other areas in Northern Greece. The wine is a beautiful counterbalance to the richness of the duck. […]
Unless you really aren’t a mushroom fan (and I don’t know too many such folks), grilled mushrooms are a classic, easy recipe fit for the holidays and every day. The tang of garlic, Greek olive oil and oregano make these grilled mushrooms even better. You can serve them right out of the oven, or […]
Lemony pork stewed with collards (lahanides in Greek) is probably the most popular winter recipe on Ikaria, a Sunday and holiday treat that calls for strong wine and company. There are at least three versions of this dish. The first is with fresh pork, preferably bone-in (for more flavor). But the more traditional versions, […]
Most people think of quince paste as a Spanish specialty, but in Greece quince in all its manifestation is very popular, especially when in season in the winter. This dish is as simple and elegant a meze or starter as you can get. To find some of the artisinal Greek products you’ll need to make […]
This Greek recipe for the classic Christmas cookies, kourabiedes, is my sister Koko's, passed down to her by her mother-in-law Yiorgia Touris, who was an amazing cook and baker. It's gone through several transformations and, truth be told, requires a little experience to perfect. My sister measures out her flour in cereal bowls, for […]
Pork tenderloin is a showstopper on the holiday table. Enjoy this with one of the wonderful full-bodied Greek reds from Monemvassia. To make amazing Greek roasted potatoes that everyone will love click here. To find some of the artisinal Greek products you’ll need to make this, visit my online shop here, where you’ll discover a […]
A delicious roasted potato recipe for festive occasions and beyond! To find some of the artisinal Greek products you’ll need to make this, visit my online shop here, where you’ll discover a host of lovingly curated Greek ingredients.
5 REASONS TO BAKE WITH OLIVE OIL 1) Olive oil actually helps make cake batters smooth because it acts as an emulsifier. 2) Its antioxidant qualities work to preserve cakes and cookies, giving them a longer shelf life. 3) Confections made with olive oil actually require less overall fat, about 25 percent less, than those […]
Here’s a spruced up version of Greek country dish–fava, or yellow split peas–served as a soup, with truffle oil and a bit of Greek cured pork. I like to serve this in the winter. Vegans and vegetarians: Skip the pork and make this dish your own!