Octopus With Pasta
Last year during my vacation in Greece, I spent a couple of days in Naxos for a traditional Greek island wedding and then my plan was to visit the island of Sifnos for the first time. Oh yeah, I got to Sifnos but when one is in Greece, one should always expect a little adventure […]
Vasilli’s Mushrooms With Ouzo
This dish comes from one of the most striking areas of Greece and we’re not talking about a Greek island or drop-dead gorgeous beach. I’m speaking of the Vikos Gorge, located in the northwestern province of Epirus. The first time I passed through this part of Greece was in 1988, on my way to the […]
Fassoulada (φασολάδα)
(watch the video at bottom of the page) Fassoulada is a Greek navy bean soup. It’s a standard dish during Lent, appears on the Greek kitchen table on many a Friday when meat is not consumed and frankly, one of the most enjoyable yet rustic dishes in the Greek repertoire of cooking. This soup is […]
Artichokes and Other Lenten Delights
Continuing on with the Lenten Feast I originally displayed for you last weekend, today I’m featuring artichokes, amaranth and cuttlefish. Cuttlefish are cousins to octopus and squid and they belong to the class of cephalopods. Much like octopus and squid, they too squirt ink, have internal organs and the shield-shaped cuttlefish bone is it’s spinal […]
Shrimp, Roe and Dolmades
One of the ways that I “survive” fasting during Greek Lent is by enjoying a diet of shellfish. Shellfish do not have blood and therefore they are acceptable sustenance during the 49 day fasting period. I do not fast for the full 49 days but I do fast on the first and final week (Megali […]
Many Mussels, Olive Bread and a Salad
My parents come from towns in northern Greece (Macedonia) that are located in the mountains but most of my time spent in Greece is near the sea. All of my relatives in Greece are on my mom’s side of the family and the majority of them live in Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki. One of […]
Beans, Bread and Baby Octopus
For the next few posts, you get to enjoy a recap of the Lenten Feast I presented last weekend. Each time I’ll breadown a trio or so of dishes so that you too may prepare and enjoy in the comfort of your own home! The first of today’s trio is a Black-Eyed Pea Salad. You’ll […]
Foodbuzz 24,24,24 Great Lent
Today is the last day of Carnival in the Greek calendar. Tomorrow will be “Clean Monday” and the start of the Great Lent. Clean Monday acquired it’s name from long ago: it was the day on which the housewives cleaned all their kitchen untensils so as to rid the last traces of the Carnival food. […]
Stuffed Peppers (Piperies Gemistes)
Recipe update:Original post appeared back in October of 2007, within my first year of blogging. The photos back then weren’t as kind to the delicious dishes I’ve always served up for you, my readers. Tonight I finished off the last of the most recent batch of Stuffed Peppers. This recipe comes from my mom, who […]
Seafood Pasta
A few days ago, I had posted a rare dessert recipe which called for using up leftover Melomakarona to make a cheesecake. One commenter observed that I don’t make desserts often but when I do…I go BIG! I think it’s safe to say most Greek families are more reserved when it comes to desserts. Oh, […]