HELPFUL TIP:Roast raw pine nuts on a tray in a 350℉ (180℃) oven for about 10 minutes, shaking halfway through. They can also be toasted on top of the stove in a heavy skillet, stirring often until they turn golden. Keep a close eye on the pine nuts as they can very quickly move from […]
HOW TO MAKE A GLUTEN-FREE TABBOULEH:Bulgur is one of the oldest grain products in the Eastern Mediterranean, as wheat is one of the three members of the holy trinity of Mediterranean Diet plants (the other two being the olive tree and grape vine). But in these gluten-intolerant times, knowing some viable substitutes for much-maligned wheat […]
How to Choose Sweet Potatoes: Choose fresh sweet potatoes that are heavy for their size, hard, smooth, and free of bruises. Watch out for shriveled skin, dark spots, or indentations, as these are common signs of decay. Cleaning Sweet Potatoes: Before using, scrub sweet potatoes with a produce brush while rinsing under cool water. Cut […]
This Greek recipe is inspired by a traditional recipe from the Blue Zone Greek island of Ikaria, renowned for its longevity and home to some amazing green Mediterranean cooking. Pretty much everything in the cabbage family – brassica – figures prominently in the local cuisine and the original rendition of this calls for something called […]
I have so many memories of this stuffing growing up in Queens, New York. It was one of my mom’s few specialties – our dad did most of the cooking in the family. Enjoy this classic Greek recipe and family tradition, from my table to yours!
Greeks traditionally use tahini during periods of fasting as a replacement for olive oil and as a great source of calcium. Combining it with avocado in a creamy sauce is new Greek recipe, culled from tradition, of curse, but with a modern twist.
My photo doesn’t do this wonderful salad justice! We were experimenting at Committee, the restaurant in Boston where I am consulting chef, and this winter salad of three types of beans and a Greek-inspired Grape Leaf pesto is the delicious, healthy result! To find some of the artisinal Greek products you’ll need to make this, […]
A simple stew with complex layers of flavor. Try serving with one of Greece’s red wines, such as Xynomavro or Agiorgitiko. 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.
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 […]
The combination of sweet and salty or sweet and sour is a common one throughout the Mediterranean. Greeks love the marriage of honey, vinegar and herbs, for example. Elsewhere, anchovies, pine nuts and raisins are a beloved sweet-sour trio. This is my quick and easy adaptation on a Sicilian classic.