TO BOURTHETO TIS KERKYRAS Makes 6 servings The name comes from the Italian brodeto, for “broth,” a legacy of Corfu’s Venetian past. A similar dish, at least in name, is the bourieto of the northern Peloponnesos, where it refers to a fish stew redolen  with onions but not colored with paprika or tomato paste. On Corfu, bourtheto is one […]

GLYKOPATATES BOURTHETO Sweet potatoes probably came to Corfu with the Venetians, as did many other New World crops, sometime during the sixteenth century, where they remained poor man’s fodder for hundreds of years. It took the English to popularize them, by showing Corfiote aristocrats the virtues of serving them with syrup. Nevertheless, they have long been cooked on a grill or in […]

Greek name and pronunciation: kafteres piperies, καυτερές πιπεριές, pronounced kahf-ter-ES pee-peh-reeYES At the market: Hot peppers are available in a variety of forms – fresh, dried, coarsely ground, flaked, and powdered. They come in a range of colors and sizes. Physical characteristics: The size, shape and color of hot peppers depends upon the variety and […]

KERKYREIKO SOFRITO Sofrito gets its name from the Italian fritto, or “fried.” The dish is traditionally made with veal, but beef can be substituted. Makes 4 to 6 servings Ingredients: 1/3 cup all-purpose flour Freshly ground black pepper to taste Dash of cayenne pepper 2 pounds boneless veal, preferably top round, cut into 6 slices 6 tablespoons […]

Pastitsatha was the traditional Sunday meal of Corfu’s well-to-do. It was almost always made with free-range cock or with turkey, which Corfiotes hold in particularly high esteem. Thick tubular spaghetti is needed for this dish. According to island cooks, a proper pastitsatha requires no fewer than 9 spices: allspice, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, nutmeg, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Makes 4 to […]

PASTITSIO VENETSIANIKO Ingredients: Makes 10 to 12 servings For the pastry: 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) cold unsalted butter 1/3 to 1/2 cup ice water, as needed For the filling: 1 pound thick tubular spaghetti, like bucatini 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, […]

TSIGARELLI – ΤΣΙΓΑΡΕΛΙ In spring, certain tender greens, both bitter and sweet, are picked to make tsigarelli, a dish of blanched greens sauteed with onions, herbs, olive oil, and—traditionally—reddened with paprika or chile pepper. Today the dish has been modified considerably and is more likely to get its color mainly from tomatoes. Tsigarelli is not exclusive to Corfu—it is found throughout the Ionian […]

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 […]

In Greek: μαγιονέζα, pronounced mah-yoh-NEH-zah Mayonnaise has been the inspiration for many meals in many kitchens, and making it at home means the cook can “doctor” it up according to preference. Like it hot? Add a little cayenne pepper or tabasco to heat it up. Start with the basics… and improvise. Ingredients: 3 egg yolks […]

In Greek: κοτόπουλο με μήλα, say: koh-TOH-poo-loh meh MEE-lah This easy recipe for chicken with apples calls for tart apples (Granny Smith or other), garlic, and an optional spice mix (try it!) that combine to create a wonderful flavor. The chicken is baked in baking parchment paper. The recipe serves 6-7. Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 2 hours […]