Greek Strapatsatha: Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes

Strapatsatha, a beloved Greek dish, combines scrambled eggs with ripe tomatoes for a quick, delicious, and healthy meal. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner, this simple recipe showcases the vibrant flavors of Mediterranean cuisine.
Braised Chestnuts and Shallots – Kastana Stifado

Chestnuts, one of the oldest foods in the eastern Mediterranean, known to the ancient and modern Greeks alike by the same name, kastano, have always been an important food. This unusual Greek recipe, from my book My Greek Table, is one of my favorites. It is an old country dish from Arcadia in the […]
Poached Kalamata Figs

I came across this perfect Mediterranean Diet snack and wonderful way to prepare dried figs years ago in a small village outside Kalamata. It as during the olive harvest, when dried figs are an important source of energy. But these were a treat I had never imagined, poached in salted water then sprinkled with […]
Kalamata Olive-Greek Yogurt “Mayo” / Mayioneza me Eliopasta

A mayo fit for the Mediterranean Diet! Try this delicious mixture of Greek yogurt, Kalamata olive paste, extra virgin Greek olive oil and more on all your sandwiches.
Tarta Spanaki – Spinach & Kalamata Olive Tart

This Greek recipe for spinach tart is inspired by the classic Greek spanakopita, except I use puff pastry instead of phyllo, and by the flavor palette of Messinia, where extra virgin olive oil and olives figure prominently. The landscape is almost one continuous olive grove and savory pies are a common treat. Ironically, olives […]
Protoyiahni – Tomato Chicken Noodle Soup

Is there any recipe more comforting than chicken noodle soup? This Greek recipe for a global classic is rooted in the cooking of Messinia, land of plenty in the southern Peloponnese.
Hoirino me Syka – Pork Braised with Figs

This luscious, rich Greek recipe for pork braised with figs comes from the land of Messinia, where pork is a very important meat because it was the only animal protein locals could savor with impunity during 400 years of Ottoman occupation. Figs grow all over the region and the combination is divine.
Bakaliaro – Salt Cod with Tomatoes, Onions & Raisins

This is a perfect Mediterranean Diet recipe, replete with fish, veggies, extra virgin Greek olive oil and a twist! Raisins and salt cod have always made an easy pairing in the traditional cooking of the Peloponnese. Raisins used to be one of the region’s main commodities, and salt cod, while not of Greek origin, […]
Classic Greek Salad with a Twist

The classic recipe for a Greek salad calls for everything listed below, plus feta. In this version, made together with ultra marathoner Dean Karnazes when we met, ran and filmed in Messinia, in the southern Peloponnese, I leave out the feta but get plenty of healthy calcium from the addition of sesame seeds.
Messinia Style Giant Beans Baked (Gigantes) with Spinach & Feta

Giant beans, aka gigantes (GHEE-ghan-tez), are a classic Greek ingredient and popular in Greek recipes from every part of the country. This Greek bean recipe is inspired by the delicious traditions of Messinia, in the Peloponnese, where beans and greens are often cooked together with a generous amount of local extra virgin Greek olive […]