Mom’s Snickerdoodle Cookies

April 10, 2019April 17, 2019Leave a comment

Greek Coffee Brownies

February 12, 2019March 20, 201912 Comments

Brownies are my greatest weakness of all—especially the good old fashioned out of the box stuff. When I’m really craving a chocolatey fix, nothing beats the convenience of just dumping all the premixed ingredients into a bowl, stirring in some extra liquid, and sending them to the oven. They come out simple and scrumptious every … Continue reading Greek Coffee Brownies

Helen’s Oatmeal Cookies

December 4, 2018December 4, 20184 Comments

I recently browsed through my late Yiayia Helen Metos' recipe book, filled with her recipes plus clippings from recipes she found from the paper or given to her by friends. I was told from my mom that her oatmeal cookies were everyone's favorites, so I had to test for myself. Results: these cookies are amazing--so … Continue reading Helen’s Oatmeal Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

December 3, 2018December 3, 2018Leave a comment

I'm all for simple recipes, especially when it comes to baking. That's why I love these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies: they only require three ingredients and are ready in 25 minutes. I first tried these cookies years ago at a party, and my friend Lexi gave me the recipe. I've been making them ever since … Continue reading Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Baklava

December 1, 2018December 1, 20182 Comments

Everyone knows BAKLAVA. Layers of flaky phyllo pastry blanketed with ground nuts plus plenty of spice (and everything nice), soaked in a sweet honey syrup. Many consider baklava as the gold standard of Greek desserts. I’m not sure if this constitutes a mortal sin against Greek culture but I will say it anyway: I’m not … Continue reading Baklava

Pumpkin Pie with a Phyllo Crust

November 17, 2018November 17, 20186 Comments

Two months ago I was asked to cook a Greek dish on a local TV station, KUTV 2, to promote the Salt Lake Greek Festival. I cooked one of my favorite dishes, Bouyiourdi (spicy baked feta) while chatting with Chef Bryan Woolley (cookingwithchefbryan.com). Much to my surprise, Chef Bryan asked to come back on the … Continue reading Pumpkin Pie with a Phyllo Crust

Bougatsa

October 23, 20183 Comments

How to impress a foodie: serve them BOUGATSA creaminess. How to impress a history buff: serve them bougatsa knowledge. Both the history buff and the foodie will wonder where bougatsa have been their whole lives. They say bougatsa originated in Serres, a city north of Thessalonaki where many Greeks immigrated during the Greco-Turkish war that … Continue reading Bougatsa

Festive Blue & White Cookies

July 15, 2018July 16, 20182 Comments

Every March 25th my friends and I celebrate Greek Independence Day with a festive get together. We eat a delicious Greek meal that includes all of the favorites from salads to dessert and everything in between. And, when we can find good salt cod, we make bakaliaros skordalia (fried cod and garlic sauce), which is … Continue reading Festive Blue & White Cookies

Loukoumades (Greek honey donuts)

January 12, 2018October 17, 201812 Comments

Mary Saltas Mannos was just 76 years old when I was born. She’s my papou Pete Saltas’ older sister, making her my great aunt. My papou had seven siblings and Aunt Mary was the first Saltas born in the United States, in 1915. Whenever I visited Aunt Mary, she would welcome me on her front … Continue reading Loukoumades (Greek honey donuts)

Kourabiedes (Greek butter cookies)

December 9, 2017December 29, 201710 Comments

Kourabiedes are popular Greek butter cookies topped with heaps of powdered sugar and made for special occasions like weddings, Christmas, name days, and any day that ends in “y”. My earliest memories of kourabiedes aren’t the sweet taste of the cookie. In fact, I don’t even remember taking a bite out of one when I … Continue reading Kourabiedes (Greek butter cookies)