AYIATHA TIS KERKYRAS Another take on the pan-Mediterranean garlic sauce that accompanies fried fish and boiled vegetables. But Corfu’s version of ayiatha, as it is pronounced in the local dialect, calls for bread and almonds, as opposed to potatoes, as the base. Vinegar makes this garlic sauce slightly harsher in flavor than those that call for lemon juice. Locals tend to […]

ALIATHA TIS KEFALONIAS This is nothing more than the island’s own skordalia, the pungent dipping sauce made with potatoes and lots of garlic. Two things define the Cephalonian version: Aliatha is always made with potatoes and always with fish broth, preferably made from cod bones. It has a strong, acidic flavor since Greeks are not shy about using either garlic or […]

Ingredients: 1/2 pound unsprayed young pink rose petals 2 pounds sugar 1 cup water Juice of 2 lemons Method: Place the petals, in batches, in a large sieve or colander and shake so that any excess dirt, pollen, and stamens fall out. Place the cleaned petals in a large basin and sprinkle with the sugar. (This may also have […]

MELOMAKARONA ME ELAIOLATHO This is one Peloponnesian version of a traditional Christmas cookie. The region’s telltale ingredient, olive oil, replaces butter in this recipe. Sometimes, Greek cooks will do that—replace butter with oil, that is—to transform a sweet into something permissable for fasting. In the Peloponnesos, though, the use of olive oil is the norm rather than the exception. Ingredients: For […]

KOURAMBIETHES ME ELAIOLATHO APO TO LEVITHI Makes about 72 shortbread cookies Ingredients: 2 cups extra-virgin olive oil 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup ouzo 1/2 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 cup finely chopped walnuts Grated zest of 1 lemon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour, […]

Rose water has been used throughout history by women around the world. Cleopatra used it to keep her skin dewy and supple during her reign as queen of Egypt. It was used as a means to cool hot angry skin in the summer heat as well as for its ability to smooth and brighten complexions. […]

Question: What Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs Are in Season Now? Traditional Greek cooking is based on what’s in season at the moment. Meals are often planned at the last minute, depending on what looks irresistible at the market! So what’s in season now? Answer:In today’s world of refrigeration and hothouse-grown produce, the distinction among seasonal produce […]

In Greek: χούμους με ταχίνι (pronounced HOO-mooss meh tah-HEE-nee) This dip is quick and easy to make, delicious, and healthy. No cooking involved. Just grab the blender and go. Chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) and tahini (a paste made from roasted sesame seeds) combine to make a tasty appetizer to serve with wedges of […]

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 […]

Question: What Did the Ancient Greeks Eat? Answer:The foods of ancient Greece were similar to foods we eat today, but did not include many that have become important parts of modern Greek cooking. For example, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and bananas didn’t arrive in Greece until after the discovery of the Americas in the 15th century, because […]