Stuffed Mussels With Rice, Pine Nuts and Sultanas

This meze is inspired by the one of the street foods one finds in the evenings when strolling the Sokaks (streets) of Istanbul. They call these Midye Dolmasi or Mussel Dolmades as the shells are stuffed with rice and mussel meat. The first time I visited Istanbul I would try everything offered by street vendors […]
Braised Pork With Leeks, Green Olives and Prunes

This dish was the main course for my last Greek Supper Club with a menu dedicated to the tastes of Thessaloniki. I used my of my favourite cuts of meat, pork butt to make this dish. It can be bone in or not, has some fat in the meat and that melts away as the […]
Pistachio Rack of Lamb With Xinomavro Jus

Today, I’m sharing another recipe with one of my favourite meats – lamb. I like lamb in all its forms – stewed, grilled, roasted or braised. I like ground lamb for burgers, leg of lamb in the oven or shanks that get braised or Easter time…it’s whole lamb on the spit! Grilled lamb chops are […]
Best of Greek Food 2013

I’m back from Greece and I return with lots of fond memories of my vacation spent with family and friends. In the coming days, weeks, months you will read of the places I visited, read of my favourite destinations and delight in the food and recipes I’ve brought back from Greece. While in Greece, I […]
Lemon Verbena and Melon Ice Cream

Have you ever smelled the aroma of lemon verbena? If not, let me describe it for you: it’s a soft lemony scent that is calming, like mom’s comforting stroke of your fair. The lemon aroma is distinct but mild and there’s a mint element to the scent. It’s warm, inviting and I absolutely adore it […]
The Classic, Basil & Pine Nut Pesto

When I first heard or and tried pesto, this was the only version out there: warm, aromatic, spicy fresh basil leaves from my garden, garlic, pine nuts and Paremesan cheese. Today, there are so many varieties and twists on pesto – I’ve lost count! Pesto is traditionally made in a mortar & pestle but a […]
Curley Calamari on Spanakorizo

I’ve been given the privilege to write/share recipes and food ideas on Inside Toronto’s web portal. I first shared this dish a couple of months ago at my Lenten Greek Supper Club. Basically you have fancy Spanakorizo molded on a plate then topped with a quick sauté of curly calamari. Click here to read the […]
Ellasonitiko (Slow Roasted Pork Belly With Crackling)

Last summer was a hot one and avoid the cities and stay near the beaches where most of my friends and family are, anyways. Once the temperatures get cooler, the evenings longer – that’s when it’s time to head into the city and explore without sweating off half your body weight. September is a wonderful […]
The Lancaster Smokehouse

Torontonians and those in/around the GTA would be be wise to head over to the 519 (area code) and pay a visit to another one of Kitchener-Waterloo’s gems, the Lancaster Smokehouse. Owner Chris Corrigan took over the historical tavern and turned into a BBQ joint that hits your nose as soon as you enter…BBQ! The […]
Cream of Chickpea Soup With Shrimp & Oxymeli

This recipe features alot of ancient Greek ingredients: chick peas…this was the starch of the day before potatoes and rice. Then we have shrimp – fish and seafood were prominent in the ancient Greek diet and they still are a big part of the diet in today’s Greece. Oxymeli, a Greek compound word meaning “acid-honey” […]