Grouper With Green Olives & Sultanas
I enjoy foods that offer contrasts: it could be heat and spice combined with a cooling element or a tender morsel in the mouth along with a garnish to offer some crunch. I also like contrasts in flavours – some yin & yang and in this case the savory is balanced with ever so slight […]
Riganada
A little while back I shared my memories of visiting the island of Lefkada and this time I’m back to share more but this time we’re going to touch upon the cuisine. Lefkada is located on the Ionian side of Greece, that which faces Italy and its no coincidence that many dishes hint of those […]
Fried Sweetbreads With Walnut Skordalia
Just as sure as Spring arriving, so does Easter – ushering in new beginnings. As part of Greek Easter we (Greeks) like to nosh on some mezedes as the day marches on, one hour closer to the roasted lamb, one bite more until finally….Easter is but a memory. One of the mezedes my family enjoys […]
Hotel Estia, Finikouda Messinia
Stephanie Milliken (nee Gallos) and her husband Glen run a hotel in Finikouda, Messinia in the southern Peloponnese. Stephanie grew up in here in Toronto but spent her summers in Greece, mainly in her father’s home town (Finikouda). The couple came here for their honeymoon in 2003 and discovered off-the-beaten path trails, caves, catacombs and […]
Let’s Go to Lefkada!
I have a glut of travel posts in queue, places in Greece I’ve visited but I’ve yet to post about my experiences staying in these places. Some are islands others are mainland. Regardless, they should be shared and I think these posts will be useful for those going to Greece or thinking of going to […]
Gaia Greek Dinner at Malena
Just two nights ago some lucky folks here in Toronto got to experience the first of many Greek cuisine-themed dinners I hope to organize in the future. Beyond organizing dinners at my home or other people’s residences this was the first to be held at a restaurant. I chose Malena because I love the warm […]
Crab Kritharotto
The crab, the symbol for my zodiac – Cancer or Karkinos in Greek. In Greek mythology Karkinos was a giant crab that assisted Hydra the nine-headed serpent in its battle with Iraklis (Heracles) at Lerna. The hero crushed it under his foot but as a reward it was placed amongst the stars as constellation Cancer […]
Grilled Trout With Yellow Beans, Red Wine Vinegar & Grape Shoots
This meal came ‘full circle’ if you will. I remember a summer vacation to Greece – it was 1983 and we had just spent the weekend during Panagias (Aug. 15th) in the Panagia Soumela and Naoussa area of central Macedonia. After feasting on roast-roasted rotisserie goat there was no room for food on that day […]
Calamari Sandwich With a Smoky Yogurt Sauce
One of my favourite Greek appetizers has to be fried calamari. It’s the freshness of the sea, the tender squid tubes and tentacles dredged in flour and fried until golden. You get a slight crunch from the coating then the tender squid in your mouth explodes with flavour. Calamari (squid) are found at your local […]
Calamari Stuffed With Shrimp and Smoked Metsovone Cheese
As a general rule, cheese and fish & seafood shouldn’t be mixed but there are always exceptions and when it comes to Greek food, we have some wonderful cheese and seafood combos like Shrimp Saganaki and Mussels Saganaki. Today I’m taking this delicate but delicious combo of cheese and seafood to calamari aka squid. For […]