Greek name and pronunciation: Faskomilo, φασκόμηλο, pronounced fahs-KOH-mee-lo At the market: Sage is available as fresh or dried leaves. Dried sage is usually available in either coarse ground or powder form. Buy fresh sage that is strongly scented. Refrigerate wrapped in a paper towel in a sealable plastic bag, to keep usable for up to […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Glistritha, γλιστρίδα, pronounced ghlee-STREE-thah (hard “th” sound) At the market: At the grocery store, you might find purslane leaves sold as a fresh herb packaged in disposable containers. It is sometimes available as a live plant sold in potting containers ready for transfer to your garden. Physical characteristics: Purslane leaves are […]

In Greek: τσαϊ του βουνού (pronounced TSAH-ee too voo-NOO) Greek Mountain Tea is made using the dried leaves and flowers of Sideritis plants (ironwort). The tea is aptly named: the plant used to make it is found on rocky slopes at elevations over 3,200 feet (1000 meters). These plants are hardy flowering perennials that have […]

Every autumn after grape harvest, various wine festivities begin throughout Greece. A few days later, in Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia and on the island of Crete the “Celebration of Tsipouro” takes place. Tsipouro is a strong distilled spirit containing approximately 37 per cent alcohol per volume and is produced from the must-residue of the wine-press. The name tsipouro […]

Some people say that Retsina, the resinated wine produced in Greece since ancient times, is an acquired taste. I’ll agree – I acquired it immediately. Not everyone agrees – the Epicurious Dictionary describes the flavor as “sappy and turpentinelike”. But cooking expert Sheila Lukinsbreaks ranks and calls it the “quintessential Mediterranean wine”, applauding it as an accompaniment […]

Learn about traditional thick Greek coffee, aromatic (and therapeutic) herbal teas, and the wide selection of Greek aperitifs, wines, and spirits. Spirits: Ouzo:Greek philosophy Greece’s favorite anise flavored drink is potent and fiery and distinctly Greek. More than just an aperitif, ouzo is a social phenomenon and a cultural mainstay of Greece. Retsina: Greek Wine […]

In Greek: μπακαλιάρος ποσέ, say: bah-kahl-YAH-rohs poh-ZEH A native New Zealander, Maria Verivaki lives in Chania, Crete and is an accomplished traditional Greek cook.The tangy sauce is fabulous. Ingredients: 2/3 pounds of desalinated salt cod, cut in 4 pieces 1/4 cup of olive oil 1/4 cup of water 2 medium leeks (white part only), finely […]

In Greek: πιλάφι, pronounced pee-LAH-fee There are two kinds of rice dishes in Greece: rice (ryzi) and pilaf (pilafi). Rice is… well, rice, and pilaf is creamy and cooked in broth from freshly boiled chicken or beef. Pilaf is a traditional wedding dish on Crete, where it’s made in enormous quantities to feed the often […]

Pites (pan-sized pies) and pitakia (small pies) are some of the most famous dishes in Greece. Thick and thin phyllo (filo) dough can either be used as layers of crust or wrapped around individual bites of tasty cheeses, greens, vegetables, or combinations. Greek Phyllo Cheese Triangles – Tiropites Delicious packets of crisp phyllo pastry wrapped […]

In Greek: σαρικόπιτα, pronounced sah-ree-KOH-pee-tah Shaped like little turbans, these sharp-tasting cheese pies are a specialty on the island of Crete. They are best made with homemade phyllo dough rolled out to the thickness of 2-3 pieces of copier paper (or setting number 6 on a pasta machine), but in a pinch, can be made […]