My entire house has smelled like a McDonald’s deep fryer for an entire week. Fried oil has seeped into the carpets and walls, and has stubbornly clung to mine and my family’s clothes. It’s actually been a pleasant change of pace from the typical scent of a wet dog. The culprit behind the oil stench … Continue reading Bakaliaros Skordalia (Cod & Garlic Dip)
Fakes soupa (lentil soup) or simply fakes (pronounced fah-kess) is a staple in the Greek diet. It’s definitely a favorite in my diet. Better, as a nutrition minor with a master of googling information, I know just how incredibly healthy lentils are. If I woke up tomorrow and suddenly stopped liking fakes (not possible), I … Continue reading Fakes (Greek Lentil Soup)
Greeks have a fix for every ailment. And no, it’s not Windex as seen in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. But if you do have an itch to spray some Windex on something, feel free to aim your spray bottle towards the direction of my windows because half the time I can’t even see out. … Continue reading Avgolemono Soup (Egg Lemon Soup)
Dolmades are a bite-sized Greek dish made from either grape or cabbage leaves and stuffed with an assortment of mixtures. What makes dolmades so wonderful is their versatility. Stuff dolmades with ground meat (lamb, beef or pork), or go the vegetarian route and create a flavorful rice and herb combination for the filling. Top dolmades … Continue reading Vegetarian Dolmades
Revithia (garbanzo bean soup) is a hearty and flavorsome dish that’s easy to prepare and makes a perfect meal for wintery nights. My dad discovered this recipe on one of our visits to the island of Sifnos many years ago. Before that, he was not a fan of Garbanzo beans, but just one bite changed … Continue reading Revithia (Garbanzo Bean Soup)
Spanakopita (spanaki meaning spinach, and pita meaning pie) is a rustic Greek pie made with spinach and phyllo. Until I was 20, the only green vegetable I ate was spinach, and only then because it was used as a filling in my yiayia’ spanakopita. Her recipe calls for feta (and lots of it), which is … Continue reading Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)
Olives are standard in Greek homes and make their way on to tables in a variety of ways. A simple drizzle of olive oil and a generous sprinkle of oregano on top of a bowlful of green or black olives make for an easy table finger food. Olives are must haves in the popular xoriatiki … Continue reading Pan-fried olives
Sharing a horiatiki salata (Greek village salad) recipe seems unnecessary because it’s a pretty straightforward dish. But as easy as it is to drizzle olive oil over chopped vegetables, there are still necessary steps and dos and don’ts of this salad that you may not be aware of. A proper horiatiki salata is a vibrant … Continue reading Horiatiki Salata (Greek Village Salad)
There’s nothing more refreshing than the Greek village salad: crisp cucumbers, tasty tomatoes, peppers, onions, and Kalamata olives, all drizzled with olive oil, topped with oregano and feta cheese. With the same ingredients (and any add-ons you desire), you can make that same salad a little more filling by adding orzo (manestra) to the mix. … Continue reading Greek Orzo Salad
Before taking a bite out of this blog, there are a few things you should know about melitzanosalata. First, it’s a mouthful to pronounce, as I’m sure you’ve already noticed. (It’s pronounced meh-lee-tza-no-sah-LAH-ta). Second, although melitzanosalata translates into “eggplant salad” it can also pass as a dip or a spread. Finally, melitzanosalata is not only … Continue reading Melitzanosalata (Eggplant Salad)
