Raisin Bread

The very first time I had raisin bread was back in 1974 – the summer of ’74 when I had just turned 7 years old and I embarked with my mom on my first trip to Greece. I was nervous and excited at the same time: it was my first time flying and that means […]
Shuck Oysters Like a Guinness World Record Holder

The first time I met Patrick McMurray was at the original Rodney’s Oyster House here in Toronto (on Adelaide). Patrick was shucking oysters behind the bar at this Toronto food destination spot and if I recall, this was where I first tried raw oysters. Tasting oysters is akin to wine: there are many types […]
Greek Food Gazette 11/03/2011

Greece ranks high in Lonely Planet’s list of “best countries for food” Not your typical Greek salad: chefs in Greece who are leaving their own signature on Greek cuisine Travel spotlight: Florina, exemplifying Greece’s northern beauty Rebetiko film raises the curtain for this year’s Thessaloniki Documentary Festival Another study pointing to Greek diet and the […]
Chickpea Salad With Roasted Red Peppers & Green Beans

A few weeks ago I caught up with Canadian cooking personality and chef Christine Cushing where we talked about the third season of her show Fearless in the Kitchen and chatted about food and her line of products, which consists of two Greek olive oils. Christine’s first branded olive oil comes from Crete (where her […]
Cod Wrapped in Crispy Potatoes

Have you ever reflected on what you used to eat, how you cooked/what you cooked in the past versus the present? What ingredients were you using? Were the ingredients seasonal, were the dishes complex or were they straight-forward and rustic? Have you learned anything new in the kitchen..technique, new garnish or passion for a new […]
Greek Food Gazette 04/03/2011

Greece can be found everywhere…even at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Nisrine Merzouki of the blog “Dinners & Dreams” took this photo of Cat Cora’s restaurant in Disney World. As always, send your favourite photos from Greece (or from any Greek community around the world) to truenorth67 AT gmail DOT com and your photo may […]
Grilled Grouper With Crispy Roast Potatoes

A couple of weeks ago I came upon some grouper that was very fresh but the fish monger would only cut me steaks rather than fillets. Had the fish not been so fresh and had there been a winder selection of fish to choose from, then I would have….skipped…the grouper steaks. I have nothing against […]
Feta & Herb Pull-Aparts

This week in the Orthodox calendar is what us Greeks call Cheesefare Week, the last week before the Great Lent begins next week. Traditionally, no meat is eaten but everyone can go bonkers with dairy and cheese. I thought this recipe to be ideal for Cheesefare as it features two of Greece’s most well-know cheeses: […]
Pork Gyro at Home

One of the most recognized Greek foods has to be the Souvlaki. i.e. cubes of meat skewered and grilled over glowing embers. The most common souvlaki you’ll find in Greek eateries is pork but you’ll also find chicken, lamb and beef versions. The other popular Greek street food has to be the Gyro: slabs of […]
Christine Cushing is Fearless in the Kitchen

For those here in Canada, Christine Cushing is a household name, having appeared on Food Network Canada (a franchise of the US parent company) from the very beginning. I remember first seeing Christine on her “Dish It Out” show but she went nationwide tackling the vacant early evening slot with her live one-hour cooking show […]