BROWN RICE SALAD WITH ZUCCHINI, AVOCADO & KALAMATA OLIVES

What is Brown Rice and How to Cook It? Brown rice is milled for less time than white rice and so retains its bran layers, which are brownish in color, hence the color of the rice. Brown rice is a good source of fiber and has a chewy texture and nut-like earthy flavor. There […]
Yogurt Cucumber Soup With Walnuts

About Yogurt Soups Throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, yogurt is a basic ingredient, the use of which dates back thousands of years. Fermented dairy has always been an important source of nourishment in this part of the world. Some of these soups, such as the Armenian Spas, contain cooked wheatberries and are served hot. Others, […]
Arugula Kiwi Salad

NOTE: Did you know that Greece was estimated to be the 3rd largest producer of the kiwi by the end of 2019 (from 4th place the previous year). Kiwis are highly nutritious and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, plus fiber. They’re particularly rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that’s essential for immune […]
Raw Zucchini “spaghetti” Two Ways

Variation: Place all the dressing ingredients in the bowl of a small food processor or blender. Add the feta cheese and pine nuts and pulse to get a smooth pesto-like paste. Toss this into the zucchini and tomato mixture and serve.
Salad With Fennel, Hazelnuts, and Mastic Vinaigrette

WHAT IS MASTIHA AND HOW DO YOU GRIND IT:Greeks consider Mastiha their #1 superfood, a panacea that’s good for everything from gut health to gum health! But it’s also an incredibly versatile spice, pairing beautifully and adding an exotic mysterious undertone to everything from citrusy dishes to tomato-based dishes to savory and sweet white […]
Spicy Scrambled Eggs

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: TOFU AS AN EGG SUBSTITUTE Tofu makes a great substitute for eggs, but the trick is to find the right kind of tofu. Experiment with different brands and degrees of firmness or softness and try to opt for a tofu variety that is as close as possible to the final texture […]
White Beans with Eggplant and Vegan Feta

PRACTICAL FACT: Beans are one of the most important foods to consume when thinking about a healthy longevity diet. They’re rich in fiber and complex carbs and they are crucial to one of the most important aspects of health: our gut! Ikarians and Greeks in general cook beans every which way, but it’s when […]
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 […]
Ikarian Soufico, Blue Zone Longevity Vegetables

Soufico, a delicious medley of caramelized summer vegetables, is one of the great summer dishes of Greece.
Ikaria Fettucine al Greco with Greek Yogurt and Herbs

What do Ikaria and Fettucine Alfredo have in common? Well, nothing really, except that this version of a creamy fettucine dish is a lot like the classic Alfredo, without the eggs, butter or heavy cream. It’s a dish I learned to make from my friend Eleni Karimanli on Ikaria.