Greek secrets When making soups and sauces that call for sprigs of herbs (i.e., rosemary, thyme), dried herbs (i.e., oregano, crushed bay leaves), or whole spices (i.e., peppercorns, allspice berries), make a bouquet garni. Wrap the herbs and/or spices in a small square of cheesecloth or tulle, tie off the top, and add to the pot. […]

Bouquet Garni for Soups & Sauces There’s nothing quite as disconcerting as finding a whole allspice berry or piece of dried rosemary in a sauce or bowl of soup. A tip from Margarita Krasanaki. Cure Your Own Olives Greek olives are known the world over for their variety, flavors, and colors. Learn about the methods […]

Makes about 30 Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of olive oil ½ onion, finely chopped 3 cloves of garlic, chopped 2 fresh red birdseye chillies, seeded and finely chopped (or use any mild chilli) 500 grams minced lamb ½ teaspoon ground allspice ¼ teaspoon cayenne, or to taste 1 tablespoon tomato paste 200 ml chicken stock 25 […]

Pasta with Lemon Roasted ShrimpOf all Seafood Pasta Recipes, Octopus and Pasta Bake is one of the most popular ovenbaked fish recipes in Greece. Octopus are easily available at fish markets in Greece and this is just one of many ways of serving octopus. The combination of slow ovenbaked octopus and pasta in a spicy […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Moschokaritho, μοσχοκάρυδο, pronounced mos-ho-KAH-ree-thoh (hard th, rhymes with “dough”) At the market: Both “whole nut” and ground powdered nutmeg are readily available commercially. Physical characteristics: The nut is a shiny dark brown in color, oval in shape, and about an inch long by 1/2-inch diameter. The nut’s interior is a lighter […]

Moussaka is a casserole made by layering eggplant with a spiced meat filling then topping it off with a creamy bechamel sauce that is baked to golden perfection. It is perhaps the most widely recognized of all Greek dishes and was made famous by the legendary Greek chef, Nicholas Tselementes. This eggplant version is the traditional […]

When teaching others to make this dish, I have often joked that the word pastitsio (pa-STEE-tsee-oh) translates to “messy kitchen” in Greek. I was only kidding, but there is a hint of truth to that statement. The Greek word pastitsio derives from the Italianpasticcio, which loosely translates to a mess or a hodgepodge. Three essential components make […]

Youvetsi (yoo-VEH-tsee) is a traditional Greek stew that can be made with beef or lamb. The meat is cooked in a rich tomato sauce together with orzo pasta and finished with a heap of grated Kefalotyri cheese on top. If you don’t happen to have a covered ceramic baker, don’t worry. The dish can also be […]

In Greek: λαγοτό, pronounced lah-go-TOH Stewing is a favorite Greek cooking method, and the key to this dish is not to let the garlic cook for too long so that the taste doesn’t get lost. Serve this with a side of rice or pasta and a great green salad. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Total […]

In Greek: αγριογούρουνο κοκκινιστό pronounced ah-ghree-oh-GHOO-roo-no koh-kee-nee-STOH Wild boar meat is generally lean and, once soaked to remove the gamy flavor, is delicious – and can be very tender. I’ve made this dish many, many times, and each time, I’m surprised by how wonderful boar meat tastes in this variation of a traditional tomato-and-oil-based (kokkinisto) […]