Greek Mess (Ελληνικό μπάχαλο)
This dessert was inspired by Eton Mess, an easy concoction that’s usually made by whipping cream, incorporating crumbled Meringues and ripe strawberries (which are the usual fruit). The Eton Mess was traditionally served at Eton College’s annually cricket game against Winchester College. Now this is where the dessert deviates. I’ve never been impressed with baked […]
The Serraikon Bougatsa
When I woke up this morning I was a little confused. I get this way the first few days of a travel destination. I realized that I was a) not in Canada and b) no longer at the Sani Resort but c) here in Thessaloniki, Greece. I spent the day roaming the Kapani central market […]
Aspro/Mavro (White & Black)
This recipe comes courtesy of a neighbor of ours in Halkidiki, where my family’s summer home is located in Greece. Halkidiki is located in northern Greece, consists of three peninsulas that are situated just east of Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki. One day I went to a neighbor’s home that had some new-born puppies that another […]
Mango-Ginger Ice Cream
Last year, I read a book about the Fall of Constantinople – figured it would be a pretty good way to prepare for my second visit to Istanbul (and it did). In the book (besides reading about the many battles), I was also interested in the subplot of this period in history – the psyche […]
Dad’s Rice Pudding
I grew up having not one great cook in the household but two! My dad emigrated to Canada in the 1950’s, on the encouragement of his older brother and uncle, Pantelis ( the fellow I was named after). Like many other immigrant stories, families left their homelands en-masse to greener pastures and in the case […]
Roasted & Toasted: A Banana & Coconut Ice Cream Recipe
Inspiration arrives via many avenues but the sweetest, most satisfying are born of fond childhood memories. My dad worked the restaurant business all his life. He never worked in a “Greek” restaurant per se but one knew a Greek was in the kitchen or the owners were Greek with one look at the menu. Souvlaki […]
French Vanilla Ice Cream
Your first question probably is, “why is this guy making ice cream in the middle of winter”? The second question may be, “what’s the difference between vanilla ice cream and French Vanilla”? Third question, “why bother making my own ice cream when I can buy good ice cream at the market”? All good questions – […]
Apple Crumble Pie
A fruit that’s still available in the Winter, is abundant in Canada and delicious almost all year’ round is the apple. It’s one of my favourite fruits: crispy, crunchy, juicy, sweet and sour and good for ya! Besides the usual “an apple a day will keep the Doctor away”, apples are also versatile as they […]
Cinnamon Rolls, Like the Ones at Cinnabon!
One of the main advantages of blogging is that one comes across a recipe that’s been tested by someone who’s food and tastes you admire. We’ve all tried out recipes from a newspaper clipping or a food show but the best ones seem to come from friends, relatives, mother, aunts and the alike. Friends from […]
Medley of Thessalonikean Delights
If I were to ask you to list what Greek dishes I kept getting requests or searches on the blog for, Baklava would be included. Baklava may not necessarily have been spawned in Greece but it’s been certainly embraced by Greeks and it appears on menus, offered/made in most (if not all) Greek homes and […]