Keftedes With Pligouri, Fresh Herbs and a Lemon Verbena Yogurt Sauce
Each time I visit Greece (count 20 times), I come back to Canada just a little more Greek, a little less “Canadian”. Don’t get me wrong, Canada is the best place in the world to live but the climate here sucks and that’s a big BUT. Otherwise, why wouldn’t the world’s second largest country have […]
Fresh Salad
During this past vacation in Greece I again returned to the warm embrace of Athens. I visited some old friends, made some new ones and I also had to cook and film a pilot to promote the concept of “Kalofagas” as a TV show. If you would like a sense of where I’m coming from […]
Postcard From Naxos
One of the stops I made during my recent trip to Greece was visiting the large island of Naxos. I had no intent on visiting this island until one of my readers extended an invite to witness and be a part of a traditional Greek island wedding. I thought long and hard but after some […]
Greeked-Up Jalapeño Poppers
Today, I’m introducing you to a new ingredient called Pastourma. Pastourma, it is said, is where the origins of pastrami came from. Pastourma is stronger than pastrami and upon tasting this thin sliced cured beef, one immediately tastes garlic, paprika and notes of cumin and fenugreek. The origins of pastourma come from the Ottoman/Armenian cuisine […]
Caper Salad (Καππαροσαλάτα)
I had every intention of writing and sharing about my vacation and food experiences in chronological order but it’s my prerogative to change my mind. This is a food blog afterall…no place here for orderly behaviour! This year I visited three islands in the Cyclades. The Cyclades are the most famous of Greek islands which […]
A Taste of Crete – Snails
This dish has been a long time comin’. Remember when I picked and jarred my own grape vine leaves for dolmades? Well…that same patch also was rampant with snails. After consulting Maria of Organically Cooked, I went and harvested a bucket of snails which would have to be plumped and purged of any food they […]
A Reprise of Greek Appetizers
Ask a bunch of Greeks over for dinner and drinks and it’s expected that your spread’s going to have some dips for noshing on . In continuing with my replay of my Birthday dinner, today I’m offering up three Greek dips, Cretan Dakos and to help stave off palate fatigue, a simple and delicious fruit […]
Something Old, Something New – Seafood Edition
Last Friday was one of the few evenings where it hasn’t rained around dinner time. We’re now officially into summer and it’s been quite rainy. Me thinks summer in Toronto might be cancelled. This is one of the few instances where I hope I’m wrong. I have two dishes at the plate today. The “something […]
Shrimp and Chorizo Skewers
This has to be one of the best non-recipes. How do I instruct you, what instructions are there to follow or is there any technique involved? Shrimp and Chorizo Skewers (serves 4) 16 shrimp (21-25 count), peeled, de-veined, tails on Spanish Chorizo sausage, cut into 1/4 inch rounds small wooden skewers 1/4 cup olive oil […]
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 […]