Ikaria Cabbage Pomegranate Superfood Slaw

Cabbage is an important part of the longevity diet on Ikaria and one of the healthiest foods you can eat, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities. Ikarians cook it, of course, in several traditional ways, from braised to rolled in dolmades, but they also use cabbage as the winter salad staple, often tossed with dill […]

Vegetarian Grec-Mex Chili with Homemade Pita Chips

Vegetarian Grec-Mex Chili

This recipe is inspired by a great chile recipe my friend Martha Rose Shulman published in her column “Recipes for Health” in the New York Times. I’ve tweaked it to marry Greek ingredients such as great olive oil, Greek oregano and feta cheese to the chile. It’s perfect cold-weather food, especially for a hearty weekend […]

Beet Risotto with Feta

beet risotto with feta

Beets are an unusual but delicious addition to classic risotto, made here with Greek rice or with Italian risotto rice. Greek rice is something to look for because it is naturally flavorful, thanks to the close proximity of Greek rice fields to the sea. Most Greek rice grows in Macedonia. Greek rice is also free […]

One Pot Greek Lemon Chicken with Potatoes, Mushrooms & Peas

One Pot Greek Lemon Chicken

One of he things that deters me from sometimes making lemon roasted chicken and potatoes is the cleanup! Too many pans! I’ve simplified a Greek classic by putting everything together in one pan. Note, too, that olive oil is crucial to the final flavor of this dish, as it’s drizzled over the finished chicken breasts […]

Broccoli Stalk Slaw

Broccoli Stalk Slaw

One of the best winter salads in Greece is a kind of slaw, called Politiki Salata, made with cabbage, carrots, and dill. I re-invent it a bit here, using broccoli stems, too, as a way to use up something that we typically discard but that is both delicious and nutritious. To find some of the […]

Ikaria Lentil Salad with Fennel, Onions, and Lots of Herbs

Ikaria Lentil Salad

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 […]

Lucky Black Eyed Peas with Spinach, Leeks and Pomegranate

Black Eyed Peas with Spinach

Black Eyed Peas are a traditional good luck dish at New Year’s throughout much of the American South and elsewhere. In Greece, it doesn’t have to be New Year’s to enjoy them. This is a take on a traditional Greek stew, gussied up with some delicious pomegranate. To find some of the artisinal Greek products […]

Ikaria Corn-Stuffed Collard Dolmades

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 […]

Lettuce Salad with Mango, Avocado, Shrimp & Tomatoes

Lettuce Salad with Mango, Avocado, Shrimp & Tomatoes

Filled with good nutrition, this tasty salad can double as a main course, especially after a few days of overindulging, when we need something soothing but light. 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.

Ikaria Longevity Cornmeal & Greens Soup

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 […]

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