In Greek: μυζηθροπιτάκια, pronounced mee-zee-throh-pee-TAHK-yah Use your homemade phyllo dough and a pasta machine for this easy and quick recipe for a sweet cheese pie to serve as a dessert or snack. Tip: These can be made ahead of time and frozen. Freeze flat on a tray covered with a towel and foil. Once frozen, place in plastic bags. To […]

In Greek: πετιμεζόπιτα, say: peh-tee-meh-ZOH-peetah The recipe for petimezi, a molasses-like syrup made with grapes, dates back to the Bronze Age. Petimezican also be made from grape must, and may also be available in Greek markets. It gives a unique flavor to this spice cake which tastes like a cross between carrot cake and gingerbread. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook […]

In Greek: πετιμεζόπιτα, say: peh-tee-meh-ZOH-peetah The recipe for petimezi, a molasses-like syrup made with grapes, dates back to the Bronze Age. Petimezican also be made from grape must, and may also be available in Greek markets. It gives a unique flavor to this spice cake which tastes like a cross between carrot cake and gingerbread. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook […]

In Greek: μυζηθρόπιτα, pronounced mee-zee-THROH-pee-tah Myzithra, like many Greek cheeses, comes in two varieties: fresh and soft, and aged and sharp. This recipe calls for unsalted fresh myzithra. If you can’t find this fabulous cheese, try the recipe with another dense, slightly moist, unsalted white cheese, such as ricotta or mascarpone. Cook Time: 50 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Ingredients: […]

In Greek: βασιλόπιτα, pronounced vah-see-LO-pee-tah Of all the Vassilopita recipes, I like this one the best for making at home because the texture is lovely (like a granular pound cake) and it lends itself to decoration. In four- and five-generation families, we jump at every chance to give younger members decorating opportunities! The recipe calls for self-rising flour. […]

In Greek: μηλόπιτα, pronounced mee-LOH-pee-tah I use Golden Delicious apples in this recipe, but if you have a favorite apple you prefer for baking, use it. The recipe is easy to make, and uses olive oil, making it a great choice for those who don’t eat dairy products. Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes […]

Flaky phyllo sheets are layered with a savory spinach and feta cheese filling. Spanakopita can be made as a “pie” or pita, or as individual phyllo triangles. I always keep trays of uncooked spanakopita in the freezer as a handy appetizer or side dish for guests. It freezes very well and heats beautifully. This recipe […]

In Greek: χορτοπιτάκια, pronounced hor-toh-pee-TAHK-yah These tasty little turnovers can be made with homemade phyllo or commercial. They can be made ahead of time up to the cooking stage, and frozen for later use. In this version, I use spinach, but it can be made with the greens of your choice. For more help, see […]

STRADIA Makes 4 to 6 servings This is an “urban” summer dish in Lefkada, savored in its capital. It calls for the grey mullet, which spawn at the end of summer. The female, called bafa, is swollen with eggs, and the male is at the height of his sperm production—details, granted, that are difficult to appreciate out of context. The […]

KEFALONITIKI KREATOPITA This recipe, from native Cephalonian Roussa Meleti, originally appeared in my first book, The Food and Wine of Greece. Makes 8 to 10 servings Ingredients: 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing 1/2 pound boneless lamb, trimmed of fat and cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1/2 pound lean boneless pork, cut into 1/2-inch pieces […]