Greek – Inspired Recipes
CHORIZO 101: Chorizo is a name given to a variety of sausages, both fresh and cured originating in the Iberian peninsula. It is made with chopped pork meat and pork fat, seasoned with paprika and garlic, all stuffed into a natural gut. Although there are many regional varieties, most chorizo can usually be placed into […]
PRAISE FOR THE PORTOBELLO Because they’re so substantial, fleshy and succulent, portobello mushrooms easily satisfy even the most tempting cravings for red meat. They’re nothing more than the mature form of button and cremini mushrooms. All of these mushrooms are, in fact the same species at different stages of maturity. Portobellos are rich in flavor, […]
HELPFUL TIP: Orecchiette means little ears in Italia, for the shape of these small thumb-size discs with an indentation makes them perfect for “clinging” to the sauce. The shape is a traditional one from Puglia in the Italian boot, and there it’s usually served with a simple chunky tomato sauce. You can substitute Orecchiette with […]
HELPFUL TIP: One of the secrets of preparing a fantastic panini is to make sure that the grill is hot. This way, you’ll achieve better grill marks. Another secret is that you don’t need a panini press; actually, you can use a frying pan instead. Place something heavy (like a heavy pan) on top of […]
A LITTLE HISTORY: Avgolemono is a Greek sauce made from eggs, lemon, and warm broth. Commonly added to soups for thickening, the sauce is used to dress up everything from roasted vegetables to fish dishes. “Vegan avgolemono” sounds like an oxymoron but it really is something that can be found in Greek cuisine, especially on […]
HELPFUL TIP: Did you know that bulgur wheat technically doesn’t have to be cooked, but rather soaked, thanks to the grains already being parboiled? Just soaking works very well for fine bulgur wheat. But for medium or coarse the soaking method takes a while, so giving it a simmer and then a soak speeds things […]
HELPFUL TIP: If you’re wondering the kind of tomatoes needed for this recipe, look for fleshy, not juicy. Some use plum or Italian tomatoes because they have a thicker flesh and they’re less watery.
ALMOND FLOUR NUTRITION: Almond flour can replace wheat flour in almost every recipe and it’s a great alternative for people watching their gluten intake. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in almond flour can provide important health benefits. For example, manganese helps the body properly clot blood, allowing it to heal after injuries. Manganese also helps […]
Variation: Place all the dressing ingredients in the bowl of a small food processor or blender. Add the feta cheese and pine nuts and pulse to get a smooth pesto-like paste. Toss this into the zucchini and tomato mixture and serve.
SMOOTHIES AND HISTORY: The term "smoothie" was first used to describe a drink in 1930. Early smoothies were simply fruit, fruit juice and ice, and they were an obscure concept in the United States until the natural food craze of the '60s and '70s. The history of the smoothie is closely tied to the history […]