A Short History of Spoon Sweets
(Excerpted from my forthcoming book, The Country Cooking of Greece, Chronicle Books, October, 2012) Ancient Greek and Byzantine literature is filled with references to fruits preserved in honey or petimezi—the world’s oldest sweeteners. To this day, eggplant and pumpkin rounds are still put up in grape must syrup, especially in wine-producing regions like Naoussa. The […]
Mageiritsa–the Greek Easter Soup
Most Greeks the world over enjoy a hot bowl of mageiritsa soup after the midnight liturgy on the Saturday night before Easter. The soup, made with lamb or goat organ meats, is a perfect example of the home economy that characterizes the Greek cuisine.Nothing, in short, is wasted. The soup marks the end of the […]
The Foods of Greek Easter
The most cliché image that comes to mind with Easter in Greece is that of a whole lamb on a spit, roasted to crisp perfection. It is not the only way Greeks enjoy their Pascal lamb, though. The Easter table all over the country mirrors the age-old wisdom of any rural people, that nothing should […]
Salt Cod Croquettes with Ouzo and Spices
March 25th is one of the most important Greek holidays. It’s both Greek Independence Day and the Assumption, one of the two days during Lent when fish is allowed. The tradition is to eat salt cod, usually as fritters, and skordalia.
Lentil-Pasta Terrine with Cumin and Prunes
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Deviled Eggs with Florina Peppers, Feta, and Yogurt
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Salt Cod “Plaki” in a Pot
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Octopus with Short Pasta / Htapothaki me Kofto Makaronaki
A Greek classic, braised octopus with short pasta.
Red Peppers and Cuttlefish Stew
Spetzofai is a classic sausage and pepper stew from the Volos and Mt. Pelion region of Greece. Sometimes you can find the dish with fish. I adapted it to the needs of Lent and created a cuttlefish and roasted red pepper version of this recipe. It’s great as a main course or as a meze […]
Steamed Mussels with Mustard and Ouzo
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Fish Stuffed with Sweet Onion Rice
This dish comes from the northern Greek region of Goumenessa, in Central Macedonia, a gorgeous, mountainous areas punctuated by lakes and rushing rivers. Sweet water fish abound here, among them a species of carp called grivadi, which is a little like American catfish. You can make this dish with trout or with any firm fish. […]