With the exception of Throubes (an olive from the island of Thassos that’s picked when fully mature), olives straight off the tree are hard and bitter. Curing is what removes the bitterness. Once cured, olives can be stored with flavorings (lemon, oregano, garlic, and others), but the first step is the curing. Ancient Greeks cured olives by […]

In Greek: κουνέλι γεμιστό, pronounced koo-NEH-lee yeh-mee-STO Olives, capers, and rosemary mark this fabulous recipe for whole roasted stuffed rabbit. Prep time includes 4 hours of a vinegar bath to remove any gamey taste, and the final dish is fabulous! Prep Time: 4 hours Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Total Time: 5 hours, 30 minutes Ingredients: 1 dressed rabbit, about 4 – […]

Ingredients: 300gr stuffed green olives 200 g flour 1 small glass of beer 2 egg whites 1 lemon (peel) 3 spoons of grated cheese 3-4 spoons of grated rusk salt For frying Olive Oil Method: In a big bowl whip the egg whites, then beer and slowly add flour, while whipping the mixture till it’s […]

This is a nice way to serve olives. The marinade is a delicious and colorful combination. It’s served as a “mezé,” which in Greek means something to nibble on: An appetizer to be served with an aperitif before dinner. Ingredients:  1 cup Kalamata olives 1/2 cup oil cured olives 1/2 cup green olives Zest of 2 lemons 1 tablespoon […]

Ingredients: 2 cups of dry black eye beans boiled 1 dry onion finely chopped 1 cup of water (hot) 1 tomato finely chopped 3 fresh green onions 3-4 small leeks 1 bunch of fennel 1 bunch of chard roughly chopped 1-1 1/2 cup of virgin olive oil Sea Salt Black or Green Pepper Cumin (optional) […]

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 […]

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 […]

Ingredients:  ¼ lb penne pasta  1 eggplant, chopped 1 tsp salt, approximately  ¼ cup olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped  2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 cans crushed tomatoes, undrained 1/3 cup tomato paste  2 tsp vinegar  1 Tbs. granulated sugar  1 tsp. dried oregano  ¼ cup large pitted olives 7 oz. feta cheese, chopped 4 […]

Greeks eat a lot of octopus, and a cold octopus salad is a common meze (appetizer) served with raki or ouzo, the local anise-flavored liqueurs. This is my take on the classic, which uses olive oil infused with fresh oregano as well as green olives steeped in bitter Seville orange juice. Prep Time: 3 hours, 15 minutes Total […]

In Greek: αγκινάρα σαλάτα, pronounced ahg-ee-NAH-rah sah-LAH-tah Fresh (uncooked) artichokes, trimmed down to the tenderest part of leaves, heart, and stem, are thinly sliced into a salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and spring onions. A handful of Greek olives, olive oil, and lemon juice add the finishing touch to this elegant salad. Prep Time: 20 minutes Total […]