At the Salt Lake City Greek festival, almost every family plays a role, often with specialties they claim as their own and which they work on for months before the festival. My good friend John Timothy and his entire Pappas family are always on tyropites (cheese pie) duty. Another friend, Jeff Chipian and his family … Continue reading Stifado (Beef Stew)
Whenever I spent the night at my grandparents’ home, breakfast was always an egg sandwich with a cold glass of milk. My yiayia (grandmother) would toast two slices of bread, spread some ketchup on the toast, and then put a fried egg in the middle. As a final touch, she would cut the sandwich into … Continue reading Strapatsada (Eggs with tomatoes)
Crispy on the outside, light and gooey on the inside--that’s what makes kolokithokeftedes (zucchini fritters) one of the finer ways to utilize zucchini. Although these fritters can be time consuming, it’s worth the wait as they are my favorite way to enjoy zucchini. They are made with a similar filling that goes into a kolokithopita, … Continue reading Kolokithokeftedes (Zucchini Fritters)
One of the easiest ways to use up zucchini is to slice and fry, plus it’s a tasty way to get your servings of vegetables in for the day. Kolokithakia tiganita (fried zucchini) is a delicious appetizer that’s coated in a spiced beer batter and deep fried to a golden crisp. The trick to these … Continue reading Fried Zucchini Chips
Kolokithopita (zucchini pie) is similar to the popular spanakopita (spinach pie) and can be made just the same by simply substituting the spanakopita for zucchini. My recipe calls for more herbs and a unique combination of cheese to make it stand out. Kolokithopita is a fantastic method of using in season vegetables and herbs. Combining … Continue reading Kolokithopita (Zucchini Pie)
I am excited to share I was asked to talk about the upcoming Salt Lake City Greek Festival on KUTV2 while cooking one of my favorite Greek dishes, Bouyiordi. I was interviewed by KUTV's Fresh Living Hosts, and later cooked alongside Chef Bryan Woolley, an American celebrity chef. Find more of his wonderful recipes at: http://cookingwithchefbryan.com/ … Continue reading Talking Greek Food and Festival on KUTV
With 97% of the country comprised of Greek Orthodox members, it’s no wonder there’s an abundance of historic monasteries and churches with generations of monks, nuns, and priests who have preserved the Greek language, culture, and religion. Greek Orthodox monasteries stretch across the countryside in some of the most beautiful locations imaginable—some balanced atop steep … Continue reading Monasteries and Churches of Greece
Roka (arugula) is one of the most underestimated leafy greens, despite packing lots of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It’s numerous health benefits are well known. Arugula is native to the Mediterranean and is definitely a green that should be added to more plates worldwide. The Greeks eat plenty of arugula as a “Roka Salata” and … Continue reading Roka (Arugula Salad)
Say maroulosalata out loud ten times fast and you’re sure to chuckle to yourself into a wide smile as you stumble on the word begging to come out of your mouth. If you can’t get past the pronunciation, dig into the salad itself and let your taste buds do the talking. Maroulosalata is comprised of … Continue reading Maroulosalata (romaine lettuce salad)
The first Greek Orthodox Monastery I ever visited was the Monastery of St. John the Baptist, above Megara, Greece. I was traveling through Greece with my family in the summer of 2003, just a 12-year-old with her mind preoccupied with thoughts of home and concerned about what I would wear for my first day of junior … Continue reading Monastery of St. John the Baptist, Megara
