Pites (pan-sized pies) and pitakia (small pies) are some of the most famous dishes in Greece. Thick and thin phyllo (filo) dough can either be used as layers of crust or wrapped around individual bites of tasty cheeses, greens, vegetables, or combinations. Greek Phyllo Cheese Triangles – Tiropites Delicious packets of crisp phyllo pastry wrapped […]

In Greek: σαρικόπιτα, pronounced sah-ree-KOH-pee-tah Shaped like little turbans, these sharp-tasting cheese pies are a specialty on the island of Crete. They are best made with homemade phyllo dough rolled out to the thickness of 2-3 pieces of copier paper (or setting number 6 on a pasta machine), but in a pinch, can be made […]

In our house, Dad is known as the “cheese triangle wizard.” Growing up, I would marvel at how quickly and efficiently he could butter and fold the phyllo (FEE-loh) sheets into neat little triangle packets. This is the recipe that I have adapted from my Dad. There are many, many different variations, however this is our family […]

There are many versions of these little pumpkin filled pastries. In Cyprus, they are called kolokotes (koh-loh-koh-TES). Other parts of Greece call thembourekia (boo-REH-kyah). The traditional dough for this recipe is made with olive oil and would be appropriate to eat during fasting periods. I have adapted the recipe and use a sweeter dough that includes butter and […]

In Greek: τάρτα μαραθόριζα, say: TAR-tah mah-rah-THOH-ree-zah Fennel root, often sold as “anise” is a fabulous winter vegetable with a light licorice taste and smell. Often used in salads, and as a complementary taste with fish, it has been well known and loved in Greek cooking since ancient times, where both the root and leaves […]

PASTELLI The Peloponnesos used to produce enough sesame to cover its needs for the production of one of its most famous local confections, pastelli. The sesame-seed brittle is a sweet whose roots clearly go back to the seed-and-honey and nut-and-honey desserts of the ancients. In these parts the confection is bound indelibly to one old local producer, Pastelli Lambo, who has a […]

Ingredients: 1 pack of Greek Filo pastry 4 1/4 cup of milk 4 eggs 1/2 a cup of melted unsalted butter 1 cup of sugar 1/2 a tsp of powder vanilla 3/4 cup of fine semolina Powder sugar Powder cinnamon Method: Pour the milk with a piece of lemon peel in a large sauce pan […]

Ingredients for the dough: 1 kg flour for all uses 1/2 a cup of olive oil 2 eggs, beaten 1 tsp of salt 1/2 a cup of tsikoudia (Opional) or 1/4 cup of brandy (Optional) Ingredients for the filling: 2 kg spinach or other greens 1/4 cup of olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1/2 […]

Now, when you entertain people to a Greek meal, you can impress them with your knowledge of Greek! The letters in bold italics show where the accent should go when you pronounce it. almond – ameegdalo (soft d) aniseed – anitho apple – meelo apricot – vereekoko artichoke – aggeenara (hard g) asparagus – sparangee (hard […]

Pasta (called “zymarika” in Greek) are favorites combined with all types of meats and seafood. Greek cooking makes use of many different types of pastas, from small soup pasta to large pasta tubes used to make the famous “pastitsio.” Lamb with Pasta Oven Casserole – Yiouvetsi Pasta with Zucchini & Tomatoes Pasta with Spicy Reddened […]