Greeks, Beer and Bavarians
One of summer’s biggest pleasures is quaffing on an ice cold beer. My earliest memory of drinking (enjoying) beer was during my visit to Greece in 1980. I was under 16 but that would not stop my uncles from serving me beer (or other spirits) with a meal. Greece is more renowned for it’s wines […]
Makalo (Μακάλο)
Makalo is a Macedonian gravy. You’ll find in the kitchens of northern Greeks’ home in Florina and Kastoria and I’ve read, as far south as Karditsa in Thessaly. Makalo is basically a gravy. You have oil, (stock), tomato puree (strained tomato sauce) and seasonings. Makalo is something I remember my parents, aunts and uncles always […]
Manestra With Keftedes and Kofta Makaronia
This Greek meatball dish has to be one of my dad’s favourites and now that I’m adult, it’s one of mine. Keftedes are a Greek meatball/burger and although the spices and herbs may vary from home to home, it’s basically of ground mince, grated onion, soaked bread and spices. This dish falls in the Manestra […]
Satiated
After a week of having mostly lamb, it’s safe to say I’ve had enough of it (for now). I have one other lamb dish to write about but I’ll save it for later next week. Today’s entry is more about free-form cooking. It’s been awhile since I last had salmon and the fillets at my […]
Magheritsa
I wasn’t sure if I was going to write about this traditional Greek Easter Soup but Easter would not be complete without Magheritisa. Magheritsa is a soup make from the broth of lamb offal and any other part of the lamb (combination varies from family to family). After a long Lenten Fast, Magheritisa is the […]
Galaktoboureko (γαλακτομπούρεκο)
Can you believe I’m still tidying up after Easter Sunday? From all accounts, it was a pain in the ass but all was off-setted by the greattime my family and friends had for the whole day. The day was capped off by my mom’s Galaktoboureko…uncracked from the cherished tome of her recipes. Galaktoboureko is as […]
Is It Easter Yet?
This past weekend I used some of my free time to get some things in order for Easter Sunday. The first thing I secured was a whole milk-fed, Ontario Spring lamb (26 lbs). The second thing I would need is charcoal. Last weekend I was lucky to pick up the last of the store’s charcoal. […]
Great Lent
This is the final week of fasting before Easter Sunday. Greeks will vary in the manner in which they conduct their fast but it’s safe to say the majority will eat meatless and dairy-free until after midnight when we arrive back home to eat a waiting bowl of Magheritsa. For those not in the know, […]
Is It Summer Yet?
This is the beach where I swim each day when I’m vacationing in Greece. Sandy beaches, bath-warm water and the tranquility I feel when I’m near or in the sea. After the bathers retire to their homes for the evening, another entire different pilgrimage to the waters occurs. It’s that of the fishermen.They will fish […]
Olive Bread (Ελιόψωμο)
Next week is home stretch for the Greeks’ Great Lent. Our family (like many other Greeks around the world) will surely fast right up until when the bells strike midnight on “Megalo Sabbato” and we crack those first Easter eggs and shout “Christos Anesti” or Christ has risen! One of foods we will be eating […]