Individual Meatless Moussaka
I recall seeing these really stylish pieces of Moussaka that were perfectly plated in a Greek food magazine a couple of years ago and (finally) I got around to trying my hand at these stylish individual portions using these metal ring molds used often by chefs. These ring molds are used to structure a salad, […]
Steak Sandwich With Talstenes, Mushrooms & Graviera
This sandwich came together using leftovers from a combo of previous recipes but don’t let that dissuade you from trying this one out. Reinventing and turning leftovers into an entirely new, fresh dish is a kitchen triumph with a delicious reward. I lucked-out with some tri-tip steak at the butcher and made a marinade of […]
Keftedes With Roast Potatoes
Here’s a dish my Dad loves to make: it combines three of his favourite foods: potatoes, peppers (with some heat) and kebapia (Florina speak for keftedes/soutzoukakia). This is a comforting fall/winter dish where youget a pan of roasted potatoes with a delicious, spicy sauce perfumed with bay, peppers, paprika and oregano. There’s a spike of […]
Lobster Eggs Benedict With Crispy Potato Pancakes & Bearnaise Sauce
One of the downsides (there are few) to going to Greece is that lobster prices are astronomical. If you find live lobster at the market it will go for 60 Euros a kilo and at a seafood taverna you will likely pay 80 Euros a kilo for this delicacy. Fast forward to Canada, back from […]
Baked Eggplant With Beef and Cheese
Truth be told, this past Summer’s trip to Greece was one of the most memorable with my usual visits to my family’s home in Halkidiki, frequent trips to nearby Thessaloniki, a side trip to Constantinople (Istanbul), down to the capital of Athens, a wonderful first visit to beautiful Nafplio, a visit to the Prefecture of […]
Scorpion Fish & Venus Clam Chowder
I have little to complain about upon reflecting on the six weeks I’ve spent vacationing in Greece. Despite the cloudy and rainy past couple of days the weather has been sunny, hot and the beaches were clean, not as crowded and the food, ever-inspiring. If if weren’t for yesterday’s cool & rainy day I may […]
Makaronada With Tuna, Roast Peppers & Capers
Use what’s around you, in season and as local as possible. Here in Greece I’ve been enjoying my summer vacation with those who mean so much to me: my family, relatives, good friends. Its been hot here in Greece since July and since I’ve been here (early August) we’ve had temperatures reaching well over […]
Shrimp, Macaroni & Feta
It’s been really busy around the Kalofagas camp – prepping and cooking for over 2000 guests at TUM, planning, recipe-testing and executing my last Greek Supper Club, I’m participating in a Taco Throwdown this week and in between all this I am also entertaining friends from out of town and finding the time to feed […]
Mousto-Balsamico Flank Steak With Greek-Style Chimichurri
My buddy Panagioti runs a nifty little business here in Toronto selling his family’s olive oil and this very unique product called Moust0-Balsamico. This vinegar is made of balsamic vinegar and grape must (mousto) is added to sweeten the pot (just a little bit). Combine this extraordinary vinegar with Acropolis Organics extra-virgin olive and you […]
Best Beer Battered Fish Ever!
Last week I was given the opportunity to set-up a pop-up/vending stand for Father’s Day apres-bike ride along Toronto’s scenic Don Valley. The event was held at the Evergreen Brickworks and the challenge for me was to step-in last minute to fill the shoes of another chef who couldn’t keep their commitment to cook for […]