In Greek: κουζού ντολμά, pronounced koo-ZOO dohl-MAH The combination of tastes in this recipe are straight from Kappadokia, brought to Greece by ethnic Greek refugees. The recipe comes from Nea Karvali, a small town near Kavala in northeastern Greece, and is a favorite Easter alternative to whole spit-roasted lamb. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 3 hours Total Time: 3 hours, […]

In Greek, αρνί με κριθαράκια, say: ahr-NEE meh kree-thah-RAHK-yah An easy recipe, this dish is traditionally served with one piece of lamb and lots of pasta per serving. Make it a meal with a green salad, table cheese, crusty bread, and Greek olives. Cook Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes Ingredients: 3 1/2 to 4 pounds […]

Ingredients: You can either use potatoes or rice in this recipe but traditionally Tavva is made with potatoes. 1 or 2 kilos of Lamb, any piece is OK but traditionally it was made with the fattier parts of meat. You can use shoulder, lamb chops or any piece you have at hand. Personally I prefer […]

In Greek: αρνάκι κλέφτικο, pronounced ahr-NAH-kee KLEF-tee-koh This recipe is an adaptation of a dish fixed in the mountains by guerillas (bandits) who needed to cook without being seen. They placed the meat on coals in a hole, covered it up, and let it cook for up to 24 hours. No trace of any stolen […]

It’s often said that the best potatoes are cooked right along with the meat so that they absorb the flavors. They do absorb great flavor, but they can also taste a bit greasy. I have found that you can achieve a tasty and tender potato that is packed with flavor but not greasy. Try these […]

Greek Cuts of Lamb Diagram and Translations Cooking with Lamb – Greek Cooking Tips Goat Stewed with Onions and Whole Garlic  Goat with Onions and Olive Oil  Easter Lamb Roasted with Artichokes and Potatoes  Roasted Leg of Lamb with Wine, Garlic, Allspice, and Cheese Paithakia me Thymari: Grilled  Chops with Thyme Rub Arni meh Aginares: […]

In Greek: μουσακάς πατάτες, say: moo-sah-KAS pah-TAH-tes Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Ingredients: 5-6 pounds of potatoes, peeled, cut in 1/2 inch slices 2 tablespoons of olive oil 4 medium onions, chopped 2 1/2 pounds of ground beef (or lamb) 3 cups of chopped ripe tomatoes with juice (or canned tomatoes) 1 cup […]

In Greek: μουσακάς κολοκυθάκια, say: moo-sah-KAS koh-loh-kee-THAK-yah Layers of zucchini, meat sauce, cheese, and a creamy béchamel create a fabulous oven-to-table casserole. Select mature zucchini or Italian squash (they look like large zucchini) for best results. Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Ingredients: 5-6 pounds of mature zucchini, trimmed, cut in 1/2 inch slices […]

In Greek: galopoula yemisti, γαλοπούλα γεμιστή (pronounced ghah-loh-POO-lah yeh-mee-STEE) Although the oldest traditions of Greece call for lamb, goat, or pork at the holidays, all roasted meats and poultry are commonly served. This stuffed turkey (or capon) has become a favorite with modern-day Greek cooks. Prep Time: 40 minutes Cook Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes Total Time: 4 hours, 10 minutes Ingredients: 8-9 […]

SKORDOMAKARONA My friend Haralambos, the district education counselor from Molaous near Sparta, is a walking encyclopedia of local history, gastronomy, and folkways. He shared this simple recipe with me, explaining that it was the workers’ lunch during the summer threshing period as well as during the fig harvest. The tremendous amount of garlic—3 whole heads or more— acted as a replacement […]