The simple Sunday and festive meal eaten in most of the Peloponnesos and elsewhere. Ingredients: 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 21/2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into large stewing pieces Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 cup long-grain rice Juice of 1 lemon 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 […]

VRASTO ME HILOPITES Another classic on the region’s Sunday table. Makes 6 to 8 servings Ingredients: 1⁄3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus a little for the noodles 2 medium onions, finely chopped 7 cups water 4 to 5 pounds whole bone-in beef shank, trimmed of fat Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 […]

The wonderful strong Cyprus Coffee! It accompanies almost any meal; in fact, when in Cyprus, an afternoon meal just isn’t complete without a strong Cyprus Coffee. Greek Coffee is a strong brew, mostly served with foam on top as the coffee itself produces a creamy affect when brewed. As the coffee is not filtered in any way, the […]

STRANGISTES HILOPITES This dish is a quick and steadfast country dinner in many parts of Greece. I include it here, in the foods of the Peloponnesos, because it was mentioned by every local cook I spoke with, leading me to realize that even if the dish isn’t unique to the region, it is so commonly cooked that it is considered […]

Original Recipe: al-Baghdadi p. 212/14 Take fine white flour, and with every ratl mix three uqiya of sesame-oil (one part oil to four of flour), kneading into a firm paste. Leave to rise; then make into long loaves. Put into the middle of each loaf a suitable quantity of ground almonds and scented sugar mixed with rose water, […]

Original Recipe Dulciaria Apicius, #294 Little home confections (which are called dulciaria) are made thus: Little palms or (as they are ordinarily called) dates are stuffed – after the seeds have been removed – with a nut or with nuts and ground pepper, sprinkled with salt on the outside and are candied in honey and served. [Vehling, pp. […]

Original Recipe Savillum Cato 84. Make a savillum thus: Mix 1/2 libra of flour and 2 1/2 librae of cheese, as is done for libum. Add 1/4 libra of honey and 1 egg. Grease an earthenware bowl with oil. When you have mixed the ingredients well, pour into the bowl and cover the bowl with an earthenware […]

Here is something sweet to round out the meal. Ingredients: honey sesame seeds orange flower water Method: Use equal weights of honey and sesame seeds. In a heavy skillet bring the honey to a very firm ball stage (250° to 256° F). Stir in the sesame seeds and continue cooking until the mixture comes to a bubbling […]

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups natural barley salt 3/4 cup Feta cheese, crumbled 1 lb. ground beef 1 onion, finely chopped bread crumbs 4 zucchini, sliced 3 cups medium white sauce: 2 Tbs olive oil 2 Tbs flour 1 cup of warm milk pinch of salt Method: Cook the barley in salted water until done. Drain […]

Original Recipe [To cook fish] Hierophile, 13th century …one should choose fish which has a delicate flesh… They should be cooked with oxymel, vinegar and garum. [Master Demetrios, Byzantine Cuisine] Ingredients: 4 lbs. salmon fillets 4 Tbsp. White wine vinegar 2 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. Honey 2 tsp. Fish sauce Olive oil Method: Spread a small […]