1. Recipes that call for seeded cucumber (cucumber with the seeds removed) are usually looking for that light fresh taste that comes from the inside of the cucumber. This means that the peel should also be removed. Use a peeler and remove the dark green outer skin. 2. Recipes that call for seeded cucumber (cucumber with […]

Sole is a delightful and versatile fish. Sole is often sold in prepared filets or already cleaned, but if using whole fresh sole, the skin needs to be removed before cooking. Here’s how to do it. Difficulty: Average Time Required: 3-5 minutes per fish Here’s How: Lay the fish on a cutting board. Cut off the head […]

Tomato-based sauces are a favorite in Greek cooking, and many recipes call for grated tomatoes (tomato pulp). Grating tomatoes is easy and less expensive than buying canned pulp, and the pulp (or pulp and juice) can be frozen to use when ripe tomatoes are not in season. Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1 minute for each tomato Here’s […]

Greek recipes, especially for cookies, are often made in large quantities. Decreasing the quantity is usually a simple matter of dividing ingredients, but what happens when the recipe calls for a number of eggs, egg yolks, or egg whites that doesn’t divide evenly? It’s easy. Measure them and divide by volume. Mix egg (white and yolk […]

Unfortunately, most recipes are geared towards families of four to six. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, leftovers can be good. And when you’re cooking for one or two a freezer can be your best friend. Nevertheless, there are times when you want to reduce a recipe and fortunately, that’s not particularly difficult. Difficulty: Easy Time […]

Melomakarona Yemista me Sousami Melomakarona (also called “phoenikia”) are a traditional Greek cookie, a favorite at Christmas. Most recipes call for the cookie to be dipped in a honey-based syrup, but this recipe calls for a powdered sugar, nut, and spice topping. Since they have no syrup, they can be easily stored in tins or plastic […]

Melomakarona Yemista me Sousami In Greek, these honey spice cookies with sesame centers might be called “Stuffed Melomakarona with Sesame” or “Melomakarona from Rhodes,” where they have become famous. A winter holiday tradition (but delightful any time of year), these cookies bring in seasonal tastes and smells of cinnamon, cloves, and oranges. After baking, the […]

Kourabiethes me Karythia In Greek: κουραμπιέδες με καρύδια, say: koo-rahb-YEH-thes meh kah-REETH-yah Kourabiethes (also kourambiedes) are sugared shortbread cookies made with nuts. In Greece,kourabiethes are served at special occasions and given as host/hostess gifts. This version calls for walnuts (or hazelnuts). Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups of shortening 1 cup of confectioner’s […]

Kourabiethes Nistisimoi In Greek: κουραμπιέδες νηστίσιμες, pronounced koo-rahm-bee-YEH-thes nee-STEE-see-mes Adapting recipes to meet Greek dietary restrictions during Lent and other periods of “fasting” (as they are called in Greek) doesn’t mean giving up taste and texture. And it doesn’t mean not eating delicious foods. Kourabiethes, sugared shortbread cookies, are favorites at the holidays made with butter and […]

Kourabiethes me Amygthala & Kanela In Greek: κουραμπιέδες με αμύγδαλα και κανέλα, say: koo-rahb-YEH-thes meh ah-MEEGH-thah-lah keh kah-NEH-lah Kourabiethes are celebration cookies: they are prepared at Christmas, baptisms, and weddings. This recipe for these shortbread-type cookies is packed with toasted almonds, includes the taste of cinnamon, and calls for the traditional coating of lots of confectioner’s […]