TAGLIATELLE IN TOMATO SAUCE WITH CHICKPEAS, AND BASIL
PASTA AND BEANS In the Greek kitchen, we cook up a few very old recipes that marry pasta with beans or legumes. Lentils and small pasta are still enjoyed in the Dodecanese islands and in Cyprus, for example. But for sure, the Italians take the prize on so many great recipes for pasta e fagioli […]
SHRIMP AND PINEAPPLE SKEWERS, GARNISHED WITH SCALLIONS
SOY SAUCE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET It might seem incongruous to include soy sauce in recipes that embrace the plant-based traditions of Ikaria and the wider Mediterranean. But the truth is there’s also a large “Mediterrasian” trend afoot and chefs, at least in Greece, have been incorporating this ancient condiment into recipes for years now. […]
RED LENTIL SOUP WITH CHILI, CILANTRO AND TOASTED PITA BREAD
ABOUT RED LENTILS Red lentils are typically bright orange in appearance, and are similar to other lentil varieties in terms of overall – great – nutritional benefits. They tend to break down a little more easily than brown, green or black lentils, and have a mushier texture as well. Additionally, they have a slightly sweeter […]
PARSNIPS ROASTED WITH EVOO AND HERBS
ROASTING PARSNIPS AND SOME NUTRITION! You can cut the roasting time in half by parboiling the parsnips for about 7 minutes before putting them in the oven. Parsnips definitely aren’t at the top of the winter root vegetable list for most Greek cooks. That place would be taken by the likes of beetroot, celery root […]
PESTO-SPINACH TOFU SANDWICH WITH MULTIGRAIN BREAD
TOFU 101 Tofu or bean curd or soybean curd is produced from condensed soy milk through a process similar to cheese making. There are five types of tofu: silken, regular, firm, extra-firm and super-firm. Silken is the softest type of tofu that has a similar texture to a young white cheese. Firm tofu is closer […]
ROASTED PUMPKIN SALAD WITH SPINACH, BLUE CHEESE AND NUTS
BLUE CHEESES & MORE Are you a blue cheese love or hater? How do you feel about Gorgonzola and Stilton, two of the most famous blue cheeses of the world? Did you know that there’s a PDO Greek cheese with a pungent, spicy flavor, made in most Cyclades islands, and especially in Mykonos called kopanisti? […]
Savoy Cabbage Bean Soup
Savoy cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable named after the Savoy region in France, where it’s believed to have originated. It’s a versatile cabbage that even though it isn’t as crunchy as the green cabbage, it keeps its texture when cooked. It has a full flavor and can be enjoyed raw, cooked, pickled and roasted as […]
ALMOND CRUSTED HAKE OVER ALMOND RISOTTO
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 […]
KALE, CABBAGE SLAW WITH ALMONDS, DRIED FRUITS AND SEEDS
This Kale & Cabbage Slaw with Dried Fruits, Seeds & Nuts is an easy, tasty and nutritious salad! Dried fruits, almonds and nuts add both flavor, texture and a lot of good nutritioun to this easy salad. Acai berriesGreece in the last few years, are loaded with antioxidants and contain many trace minerals and plant […]
ROASTED BEETROOT, SPINACH, APPLE, AND WALNUT SALAD
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.
BAKED RICE CASSEROLE WITH ZUCCHINI AND HERBS
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 […]
QUINOA VEGETABLE SALAD WITH ONIONS, TOMATOES, CUCUMBER, KALAMATA OLIVES, MINT, AND COTTAGE CHEESE
HOW TO COOK QUINOA : First, you rinse the quinoa for at least 30 seconds, and you drain it well. Then add it to a pot with water over medium-high heat. When it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove the pot from heat, cover, and let […]