Herbs

Octopus Stifado

Apr 23rd, 2013 | By
Octopus Stifado

It’s been very busy around here and in case you missed the memo, I am currently working on the manuscript for my very first cookbook! The excitement of having a cookbook with my recipes and my name on it quickly wore off after I realized that there’s a lot of work involved! Here are the [...]



Strapetsatha With Poached Eggs

Apr 11th, 2013 | By
Strapetsatha With Poached Eggs

One of my favourite Greek dishes contains ripe, sweet tomatoes, Feta cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, eggs. I’m speaking of course of Strapetsatha, an oft-made dish by Greeks be for breakfast or for dinner (yes, Greeks love egg dishes for dinner). Strapetsatha is traditionally made by scrambling the egg and tomato mixture and there are the [...]



Grilled Halloumi With a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Apr 2nd, 2013 | By
Grilled Halloumi With a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Grilled Halloumi With a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce (appetizer for 6) 1/3 cup diced red onion 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 clove of garlic, smashed 1 roasted red pepper, peeled, seeded and chopped 1/2 cup of hand-crushed plum tomatoes (from good quality canned variety) salt and pepper to taste pinch of Boukovo (chilli flakes) [...]



Spaghetti Tossed in Shrimp Butter

Mar 30th, 2013 | By
Spaghetti Tossed in Shrimp Butter

This is one of the tastiest pasta dishes you will ever have. Really. How can it not be good when the sauce contains onions, garlic, lots of shrimp, mushrooms, red peppers, Ouzo , butter, cream cheese and the surprise ingredient? Vanilla extract! This pasta dish is a riff on shrimp butter that I’ve used for [...]



Seared Halibut With Greens & Chickpeas

Mar 23rd, 2013 | By
Seared Halibut With Greens & Chickpeas

Here in Canada we still have snow on the ground. A cruel joke served by Mother Nature after having a mostly mild winter here in the Great White North. Back in Greece, they survived a relatively mild winter, sparing many Greeks who feared the cold with little money or means to heat their homes. The [...]



Cuttlefish Lemonato

Mar 19th, 2013 | By
Cuttlefish Lemonato

Cuttlefish Lemonato (serves 4 as a meze plate) 1 kg. of baby cuttlefish, gutted and cleaned, patted dry 1 medium onion, sliced the tops of 2 scallions, chopped 3 cloves of garlic, minced 1/3 cup olive oil water salt and pepper to taste dried Greek oregano juice of half a lemon Place your skillet over [...]



Artichokes ala Polita

Mar 19th, 2013 | By
Artichokes ala Polita

A Lenten favourite as artichokes are in season during this period. The “ala Polita” refers to the dish’s origins…Constantinople. Artichokes a la Polita (serves 4) 12 artichokes, trimmed & cleaned 2 medium onions, sliced 4 medium potatoes, peeled & cut into thirds 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 2 in. segments 1/4 cup olive oil 1 [...]



Spaghetti With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Dry Mizithra Cheese

Mar 12th, 2013 | By
Spaghetti With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Dry Mizithra Cheese

Last weekend brought the end to the meat-eating phase of Apokries (Greek Carnival) and now Greeks are in the homestretch – the last week of Apokries. It’s Tyrini or Cheesefare Week with many Greeks forgoing meat and only eating dishes with cheese…lots of cheese! Pasta’s popularity goes beyond the happy bellies of Italian diners and [...]



Ellasonitiko (Slow Roasted Pork Belly With Crackling)

Mar 10th, 2013 | By
Ellasonitiko (Slow Roasted Pork Belly With Crackling)

Last summer was a hot one and avoid the cities and stay near the beaches where most of my friends and family are, anyways. Once the temperatures get cooler, the evenings longer – that’s when it’s time to head into the city and explore without sweating off half your body weight. September is a wonderful [...]



Kalofagas Lamb Ribs

Mar 1st, 2013 | By
Kalofagas Lamb Ribs

Ontario has always had high quality lamb and it’s a good thing. Greeks eat lamb for Sunday dinners, week days on occasion and of course, for Easter. Not everyone likes lamb but year by year more people are discovering this delicious meat that is versatile (oven or grill), not gamey at all and above all, [...]