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 the […]
ABOUT CHICKPEAS AND SPINACH: The combination of chickpeas and spinach makes for a nutritionally complete vegetarian or vegan meal and it is a combination that appears in many traditional cuisines throughout the world. There are spinach-chickpea combos with regional variations in parts of the Peloponnese and northern Greece, especially the northwestern part of the country, […]
VARIATIONS: This recipe works with many different apple varieties. Two of the best would be Gala, Braeburn and Fuji. Gala is the most popular apple variety in the US and they are firm, tangy and sweet. Braeburn apples are crisp, sweet and zesty and Fuji are firm, juicy and sweet.
WHITE VS BROWN RICE: Even though the milling process removes the rice’s husk, bran, and germ, it’s artificially fortified with nutrients. It’s also polished so it appears to be more palatable. On the other side, brown rice is a whole grain thus it’s richer in nutrition as a whole. The key difference between these two […]
RECIPE TIPS : The best variety of figs for this dish is Royal Black, a variety usually cultivated in the Attica prefecture. They are considered as one of the finest Greek varieties and they are fleshy, succulent and sweet. When paired with a tangy goat’s (or goat & sheep’s) cheese like manouri or chevre you […]
HOW TO PREP FRESH BROAD BEANS: The first step is opening the pods and taking out the beans. Then you need to remove the bean skins -as they tend to be tough. Since peeling them out can be challenging, blanching them first makes it much more manageable. You just need to blanch them for 3 […]
HOW TO BOIL EGGS TO GET A SOFT, CREAMY YOLK: Bring the water up to a boil, then lower it to a rapid simmer. Add the eggs to the pot, and start your timer. If you’re just cooking a couple of eggs, five minutes is perfect for a runny yolk. Cool the eggs slightly by […]
WHAT IS SPIRULINA? Spirulina, produced from a kind of algae, has been a superfood for centuries and was known to the Aztecs long before the Spaniards invaded Mexico. It boasts a surprisingly dense list of nutrients. It’s one of the best non-animal based sources of protein, making it a good nutritional boost for vegans and […]
DETOX WATER & THE IKARIA DIET: The whole notion of detox water fits in perfectly with a diet inspired by the Ikarian way of life. Detox water is simply water to which any number of fruits and vegetables may be added for both flavor, nutrition and easy hydration (it’s more flavorful so you’ll be inclined […]
PERFECT HUMMUS EVERY TIME! Did you know that blending your chickpeas when they’re still hot (right after they’re cooked or reheated canned ones) results in a light and fluffy mix, ready to absorb tahini, olive oil, and spices? Maybe the best tip for consistently good hummus is adding excellent tahini. The rich and complex flavor […]