Bacon Wrapped Halloumi
With recent news of Halloumi cheese earning PDO designation as a unique product (produced in Cyprus), I was looking through older notes and photos of Halloumi dishes I’ve created. I stopped at this one – cubes of Halloumi cheese, wrapped in bacon and grilled or baked until the bacon is crisp. It’s as if the […]
Watermelon Caesar Salad
If you’re Greek, you “get” that watermelon and Feta cheese go together like peanut butter and chocolate. I still giggle when someone (not Greek) had to tell me about a food combo I should try…remarkable he exclaimed! I would probably like it being Greek and all. “You have to try Feta and watermelon, it’s so […]
Round-Up of Halloumi Recipes
Recently, Halloumi cheese earned it’s place in the culinary world as a PDO protect – Protected Designation of Product. This means that only Halloumi made on the island of Cyprus can be stamped with this status. A testament to the Cyprus’ unique method of making this popular cheese. Sure, there will be mock Halloumi cheese […]
New Orleans Beignets
The last major trip I took (pre-lockdown) was to New Orleans during the Carnival period (February 2020). My travel mates and I did our research on what to see and do, where to eat and drink, we sought the advice/opinions of those who had already traveled to New Orleans and time and time again, everyone […]
Potato Crusted Cod With Pine Nut Skordalia
Earlier this week, Greece celebrated the 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence (March 21, 1821). History will show you that that were earlier attempts to gain freedom from Ottomans during their 400+ years of occupation and…other parts of Greece were liberated later (Dodecanese Islands in 1949). March 25th is also Evangelismos (Feast of the Annunciation) and […]
Pine Nut Skordalia
There are many regional variances and my favourite is Pine Nut Skordalia. I’ve had three times in my life: the first time in Constantinople, the second time on the island of Lesvos and the third time when I made it this dish for a Greek Supper Club. Pine Nuts are a little pricey but not […]
Koliva – Greek Memorial Wheat Berries
A couple of weekends ago, my family observed my mother’s 40 Memorial after her passing. For her funeral, I was told that I simply had to make/bring boiled “sitari” aka wheat berries for the funeral service, For the 40 day memorial, Saturday of the Souls and future memorials, a more involved and ornate Koliva is […]
Galatopita – Milk Pie
Greek cuisine is full of savory and sweet dishes using dairy. It could be milk, cheeses, trahana or in this case, dessert. Enter Galatopita, literally translated as Milk Pie. Basically it’s a custard pie that can be made without phyllo or with. I made this Galatopita using some of my own phyllo pastry but you […]
Blistered Shishito Peppers With Feta
About a decade ago, while vacationing in Greece, my Mom came back from the “Laiki” (farmer’s market) with what they call “Pikantikes Piperies” or spicy peppers. These small green peppers were mild in heat, pan-fried and served as a meze. They are sweet, savory, a touch of heat…tolerable for even the most timid. Here in […]
Macedonian Halva With Spoon Sweet and Cinnamon
This post isn’t so much of a recipe but more so instructions on how to assemble a dessert from ready to eat products. The star of this dessert is Sesame Halva, something us Greeks called Makedonikos Halva. This treat is made by pulverizing sesame seeds and adding honey and often some kind of nut (almond, […]