Poulenta – Ionian Polenta

Poulenta – yes, it sounds like the Italian polenta because it’s pretty much the same thing — is a traditional Greek recipe of the Ionian islands, where the Venetians ruled for 400 years and left their mark on the local cuisine. Extra virgin Greek olive oil goes into this yummie Greek comfort food, which […]
Lentils Cooked with Orzo & Caramelized Onions

This wonderful Greek recipe from one of the most beloved Greek island groups, the Dodecanese, appeals to vegans and vegetarians alike. Lentils and pasta are a popular combination in the Greek cooking of the Dodecanese. Topped with caramelized onions, called sivrasi, this simple dish is transformed into something really irresistible.
Pitaroudia – Chickpea Fritters with Tahini Sauce

Greek recipes for plant-based fritters abound and this one, with chickpeas, from the island of Rhodes, is a classic. Enjoy this wonderful Greek vegan and Greek vegetarian recipe any time of the day. It goes perfectly with the tahini dip, too!
Roditikoi Dolmades – Grape Leaves Stuffed with Bulgur & Cumin

The classic Greek recipe, stuffed grape leaves are a specialty of Rhodes and there are so many different versions that once a year the island hosts a stuffed grape leaf cooking contest! Greek stuffed grape leaves, called dolmades, can be served as a Greek meze or as a main course. You can even add […]
Fakes – Lefkada Lentil Soup

The lentils of Englouvi in Lefkada are famous all over Greece, and it wasn’t until I traveled there for season 3 of My Greek Table that I understood why. These small brown lentils cook up into a creamy, porridge-like classic Greek recipe for lentil soup that makes for the ultimate comfort food. But you […]
Rafiolia – Chios Sweet Pumpkin Phyllo Pastries

This Greek recipe for a sweet phyllo pastry filled with pumpkin is a very traditional dessert from the Aegean island of Chios. Similar Greek dessert recipes from the Aegean islands go by various names, such as rafiolia and keramidopites, or tile cakes, because they once were baked on hot ceramic roofing tiles, like a […]
Melitzanopilafo – Eggplant Pilaf

There are many traditional Greek recipes for vegetables and rice as a main course. This simple Greek recipe, made with eggplant and seasoned with fresh herbs, makes a delicious vegetarian main course, but can easily be served as a Greek meze and as a side dish to simple grilled or pan-seared meat or fish. […]
Ikaria-Style Batter-Dipped Eggplants in Fresh Tomato Sauce

Vegetable cookery on Ikaria, as throughout the greek countryside, is really varied. This recipes is an old one, which I wrote down while sitting with Myrsina Rousso, 80 or so, in her garden in Manganiti while she recounted numerous recipes and details about the life and food on the island in the 1940s. It’s a […]
Grilled Corn On the Cob With Kalamata Olive Butter

Awesome is the only way to describe this delicious grilled corn recipe, a paean to my Greek-American roots. Enjoy! It’s a recipe from my most recent book, My Greek Table.
Ikaria Green Bean Stew (Mageirio)

A healthy green bean stew from my next book: Ikaria, Lessons on Food, Life and Longevity from the Greek Island Where People Forget to Die.