Grilled Calamari and Cumin
This grilled calamari dish is something I first made last summer, just before I left for Greece. I’ve come full circle and I’m getting ready to go to Greece again. I’m looking forward to the vegetables from the garden that my family planted, the weekly visit to the farmer’s markets, meeting new friends and some […]
Backyard Birthday BBQ
This past Sunday was my birthday and I invited some friends over for some good drink, delicious food and hearty laughs. The weekend forecast was for hot summer days, little humidity. The clouds rolled in just before guests arrived and there was a little bit of rainfall. The clouds left, happy to have teased us […]
Fried Zucchini Blossoms in Ouzo Batter
You know this post was inevitable, frying zucchini blossoms. The responses to my previous post has been overwhelming and they have included suggestions from many readers as to how they cook their zucchini blossoms. The most common response was frying them. Some fried the blossoms with no filling, many with a filling. Some simply shallow-fried […]
Zucchini Blossoms With Rice (Κολοκυθοανθοί με ρύζι)
Soon your garden will be ripe with lots and lots of zucchini. My previous post featured Zucchini patties…a summer time favourite for many Greeks. There is also Kolokithakia Gemista with an Avgolemono Sauce, one of my personal faves and I had my mom make this for me last year for my arrival in Greece. There’s […]
Baked Zucchini Patties – Kolokithokeftedes
That mouthful of a Greek word you see in the title of this post is compound word: “Kolokitho” refers to zucchini/courgettes and “keftedes” are a burger-like patty. What we’re talking about here are these light and delicious zucchini patties. Many people’s gardens are brimming with zucchini or they will be soon. Grated zucchini, chopped fresh […]
Potato Salad With Radishes & Smoked Octopus
I recently was sent some samples from a Pitenis Bros. in Greece that produces dips, pickled vegetables, dips and smoked fish and seafood. One of the more intriguing and delicious items in the care package sent to me was the smoked octopus. Yes, smoked octopus. Much like eel, trout or mackerel, the octopus also gets […]
Chicken Wings With a Mustard Barbecue Sauce
The second week of the World Cup has commenced and I am enjoying the upsets, surprises and surprising wins and losses by underdogs and favourites. Greece for example, gave us a disappointing 2010 World Cup debut against South Korea but then they won our hearts back with a gutsy victory over Nigeria this past Thursday. […]
Grilled Smoky Mussels
Tomorrow is Father’s Day and I would like to salute all the Fathers and Grandfathers out there who put food on the table, offer inspiration to young boys and men, the comfort and security to daughters and grand-daughters, regale us with tall tales, wisdom and humour. Chances are the man in the house will want […]
Almond Stuffed Shrimp With Crunchy Green Beans
It’s meze time! Appetizers! Backyard entertaining, offering an array of dishes through the evening with family, friends or both! With some prep, a little organization – one can serve an array of mezedes (appetizers) through the evening.I made this dish a couple of weeks ago, inspired by another shrimp dish I made with shrimp and […]
Perek or Fillota (Περέκ ή Φυλλωτά)
Today, the World Cup of Soccer begins with the host nation being South Africa. Canada’s team did not qualify but Greece’s team did. Soccer (Football) is by far the world’s most popular sport and people will be watching the tournament for the next month. Some will be following the favoured teams (like Brazil), others will […]