Kikeon is something between food and drink. The word “kikeon” (eoea?i) comes from the verb “kikan” (eoeUi), which means thickening by continuously stirring. The recipe that is given best resembles the ancient version of “Kikeon”  Greek : Αρχαίος χυλός Κικεών Serves / Yields : 4 persons INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup (120 gr) semolina 375 gr riccota cheese 2 spoons […]

MYZITHROPITA KALAVRYTON This dish calls for local myzithra, a fresh whey cheese made from the residuals of feta production. It is possible to find fresh myzithra in Greek food shops across America. It has the consistency of fresh farmer’s cheese or good ricotta, which can easily be substituted. The original recipe also calls for wild fennel. I have reworked it to […]

Ingredients: halloumi cheese 2 cups oil 100gr flour 0.5 tsp baking powder Salt 180gr water or milk 1 egg (Serves 4) Preparation: Cut the halloumi into thick slices. Make batter with flour, baking powder, salt, water or milk and eggs. Dip the halloumi first in the flour and then in the batter and fry in […]

A gesture of Cypriot Hospitality A traditional and delightful Greek Cypriot custom is the offering of spoon sweets to guests as a symbol of hospitality. They are called spoon sweets because the usual serving size is a well-filled teaspoon. Spoon sweets are popular both in Cyprus and in Greece, usually served with Greek coffee and a […]

Ingredients: 4 Eggs 4 cups of flour 2 teaspoons of Baking Powder 2 cups Milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 cups grated Cypriot Halloumi 1 teaspoon of mint Method: Whip Eggs, add milk, oil, baking powder Mix in cheese, mint and flour Grease cup cake trays Place in cup cake trays (3/4 full) Bake in […]

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 […]

MAVROMATIKA FASOLIA ME ZARZAVATIKA KAI HILOPITES Makes 4 servings Ingredients: 1⁄2 pound dried black-eyed peas, picked over and rinsed 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large carrot, finely chopped 1 leek, white part only, washed well and finely chopped 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Throubi, θρουμπί, pronounced throo-BEE At the market: Savory is seldom available at the grocery market as a freshly cut herb. It is most often sold as dried leaves in disposable containers. Summer savory is easily grown in indoor herb gardens or outdoors in warm weather. Physical characteristics: In the wild, savory […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Rigani, ρίγανη, pronounced REE-gah-nee At the market: Oregano is sold fresh and dried as cuttings of flower tops and leaves packaged in disposable containers or as dried, ground leaves packaged in sprinkle-pour bottles.Caution: Not all oreganos are equal. Greek oregano (rigani) is a subspecies with the latin name Origanum vulgare (previously Origanum […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Anithos, άνιθος, pronounced AH-nee-thohs (soft th sound, rhymes with “dose”) At the market: Dill is sold as fresh cuttings (sprigs) bundled into convenient amounts, in sprinkle-pour bottles of dill weed (dried leaves), and in sprinkle-pour bottles of dill seeds. Physical characteristics: The dill plant grows to a height of 8-30 inches. […]