Ikaria-Style Chicken Braised in Wine: Stifado

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, […]
Linguine with Arugula, Hot Peppers and Greek Balsamic

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 […]
Ikaria Lentil Salad with Fennel, Onions, and Lots of Herbs

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 […]
Ikaria Corn-Stuffed Collard Dolmades

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 […]
Leftover Lamb Spring Rolls

Filo pastry and leftover roasts like lamb or even pork or beef are a great match. In this dish leftover lamb morphs into a totally new dish, equally enticing.
Honeyed Dough Strips: Xerotigana aka Diples

Xerotigana literally means dry, as in crunchy and fried. This confection, essentially dough strips fried in olive or other oil and drizzled generously with honey and nuts, is one of the classic Christmas sweets on the island. My dad made mountains of them every Christmas in our New York home, perhaps waxing nostalgic if in […]
Fava Soup with Cured Pork

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!
Corfu Style Stuffed Meatballs with a Touch of Curry

Curry in Greek meatballs, as this recipe calls for? Yes, if it’s from the Ionian islands, where British denizens and occupiers, influenced by the Raj, one lived in droves! This is a lovely, unusual variation on Greek meatballs. To find some of the artisinal Greek products you’ll need to make this, visit my online shop […]
Ikaria Longevity Cornmeal & Greens Soup

I had been hearing about the use of corn kernels and cornmeal in the Ikarian diet ever since my aunt Mary, who passed away several years ago at the age of 97, mentioned the corn-stuffed cabbage leaves she remembered as a child. This soup is an old recipe and a perfect example of the kind […]
Pumpkin Sweet Potato Moussaka

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