Serves two. A baaridah was a cold meat or vegetable dish served before the hot dishes. Following pre-Islamic Iranian tradition, when a baaridah was made with fowl, it was usually a sort of chopped cucumber salad garnished with the roast meat. Some recipes call for only the seeds of cucumbers, which makes for a luxurious, slippery texture. […]

Serves four as an appetizer. This giant canapé was the traditional first course at a banquet in pre-Islamic Iran or Abbasid Baghdad. The name comes from the Persian bazm, “banquet,” and awurd, “bringing.” The recipe given here is from the collection of the Caliph al-Ma’mun. It calls for the flesh of citron, a fruit with very little flesh—we […]

Summary Octopus in a vinegrette marinade. Goes very well with ouzo, on a hot day, by the sea. Servings: 6 Ingredients 2.20 lb Octopus 6 oz olive oil 1-2 pinch oregano 1-2 pinch pepper 2-3 pinch salt 3 oz vinegar (red wine) Directions Wash the octopus and remove the ink bag. Place the octopus in […]

Servings: 4 Ingredients 1 bay leaf 1/4 lb of feta cheese, thickly sliced 2 cloves of garlic, crushed  4-6 oz of olive oil 1 medium, white onion, finely choped 1-2 pinches of pepper 2-3 pinches of salt 1 3/4 lbs of shrimps 1 teaspoon of white sugar 2 medium tomatoes, finely choped Directions Fry the onions […]

Servings: 7 Ingredients 1-2 handful of kefalotiri cheese (grated goat cheese) 2.20 lbs of lamb entrails 2 lamb intestines 1 lemon, squeezed 2-3 of olive oil 1-2 pinches of oregano 1-2 pinches of pepper 2-3 pinches of salt Directions Turn the intestines inside out and wash thoroughly. Cut the entrails into small pieces and wash them […]

Summary Tradition Greek style octopus in marinade. Ingredients 1/2 cup of lemon juice 2 medium octopus 1 cup of olive oil 1 large, yellow onion, chopped 1 tablespoon of oregano 1 teaspoon of pepper 2 teaspoons of rosemary 1 cup of white vinegar Directions Place octopus in a large pan with plenty of water and […]

Servings: 6 Ingredients 3-4 tablespoons of feta cheese, grated 2-3 eggs, beaten 4 oz of flour, for all purposes 1 pinch of mint just a little vegetable oil 1-2 pinches of parsley 1-2 pinches of pepper 2.20 lbs of potatoes 2-3 pinches of salt Directions Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Strain and mash […]

Servings: 6 Ingredients 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup of flour for all purposes 1 medium, white onion, finely choped 1 teaspoon oregano 2.20 lbs of chick peas 1-2 pinches of pepper 2 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes 2-3 pinches of salt Directions Soak the chickpeas overnight. Boil chickpeas for 40 minutes. Strain and mash. Add the […]

Summary Pan fried Liver. Chicken, lamb or beef liver. For when you’re mad at the kids! Servings: 5 Ingredients 1 lb of beef’s liver 2 cloves (optional) a little flour for all purposes, for dredging 1 lemon, squeezed a little oil, for frying 1 pinch of oregano 1 pinch of pepper 1 pinch of salt […]

Summary Fish roe balls Servings: 6 Ingredients 1 1/2 cup of wet crumbs of bread 1-2 pinches of dill, finely choped 5 tablespoons of flour for all purposes 1-2 pinches of mint, finely choped a little of vegetable oil 1/2 of a medium, white onion, grated 1-2 cups of parsley, finely choped 1-2 pinches of […]