Baked Feta
There’s no turning back. Spring is here and I’m excited that the days are getting longer, the sun now warms my back, birds chirping, buds on trees are forming. Although Canadians will grill even in the coldest months, we’re now upon outdoor grilling season and it won’t be too long before we’re eating outdoors. This […]
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 […]
Pork Chops With Mushrooms and Red Peppers
One of the sources of inspiration for my cooking is to be found right here in Canada. I’ve relayed to you how I live in a multi-cultural country where many influences cross, overlap and borrow from each other. I don’t think one can really “pin down” Canadian food other than it being diverse, both comforting […]
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 […]
Nina’s Pasta Cu L’agghia
Okay, here’s the deal…Greek Lent began two Mondays ago and Greek Easter is on April 19th. I observed a “fast” for one week and I’ll fast again during Holy Week (just before Easter). I’ve made a shift in my diet whereby I’ve cut down on meat. Less poultry, less beef and pork. I will never […]
The Cheese Boutique
My blog has been trucking along since the Spring of 2007 and most of you are familiar with my travels to Greece and love of my native cuisine, Greek food. Being a Greek who lives abroad (Diaspora), I feel lucky that my parents chose Canada as the country of choice to start a new life […]
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 […]