HEALTH BENEFITS OF SCALLOPS: They are healthy and delicious and there’s little reason to avoid scallops as they’re overall considered safe. Scallops are high in protein, and omega 3 fatty acids, as well as rich in a number of trace minerals, such as selenium, zinc, and copper.
Alevropita, literally "flour" pie, is one of many Greek recipes for batter-and-cheese pies that are traditional in the Greek kitchen. They are sometimes called lazy pies because they are basically easy and don't need much skill to make! They are very common Greek recipes in northern Greece.
PASTA AND BEANS In the Greek kitchen, we cook up a few very old recipes that marry pasta with beans or legumes. Lentils and small pasta are still enjoyed in the Dodecanese islands and in Cyprus, for example. But for sure, the Italians take the prize on so many great recipes for pasta e […]
ABOUT RED LENTILS Red lentils are typically bright orange in appearance, and are similar to other lentil varieties in terms of overall – great – nutritional benefits. They tend to break down a little more easily than brown, green or black lentils, and have a mushier texture as well. Additionally, they have a slightly […]
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 […]
CARNAROLI 101 Carnaroli is considered the best rice option for a risotto, as it has a larger grain and holds its shape better than Arborio. It’s considered the “king” or risotto rice and it’s Northern Italians’ favorite type of rice. It grows in Novara and Vercelli in Northern Italy, a region where some of […]
BEETROOT NUTRITION: Beets – both the greens and the bulbs – are an important part of the Ikaria diet and an important ingredient in the Greek and Mediterranean diets. The greens are nutritionally comparable to iron-rich spinach but the bulbs are also very healthy, although they contain natural sugars and carbs. Overall, beets are […]
ABOUT FARRO: Farro, a high-protein, high-fiber ancient whole-grain wheat, figures prominently in the Mediterranean diet. It looks similar to barley, though with a slightly more oblong and larger grain. Like barley, farro retains a notable amount of chew when it gets cooked. Farro and barley can be used interchangeably in most recipes. Farro is […]
ABOUT VEGETABLE SOUPS: One of my favorite ways to cook vegetables is in soups, and the variations and versatility are endless. You can make almost any vegetable into a simple but elegant soup and the beauty is in the garnishing. Drizzle thin threads of olive oil over the soup; stream a little balsamic or […]
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN FETA: For one it should be Greek! Feta is a protected designation of origin cheese allowed by EU law to be produced only in Greece, where it is a traditional dairy product. American “feta” is made with cow’s milk and sometimes with goat’s milk, and is generally salty and […]