Kourabiethes me Karythia In Greek: κουραμπιέδες με καρύδια, say: koo-rahb-YEH-thes meh kah-REETH-yah Kourabiethes (also kourambiedes) are sugared shortbread cookies made with nuts. In Greece,kourabiethes are served at special occasions and given as host/hostess gifts. This version calls for walnuts (or hazelnuts). Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups of shortening 1 cup of confectioner’s […]

Ingredients: 1250gr of kataifi pastry 2 teacups of walnuts hearts (or even almond mixed) 2 teacups of melted unsalted butter 1-2 tbsp of powder cinnamon 2 tbsp of sugar 1 egg Crushed Pistachio nuts for garnishing (optional) Syrup ingredients: 1250gr of sugar 6 cups of water 1 thin strip of lemon rind 4-5 cloves One […]

I use about 2-3 kilos of fresh green walnuts for this and about 2-3 kilos of sugar. Use tender fresh green walnuts; the older they are the harder they tend to be. They are best picked when they are fresh. To prepare the walnuts: Thinly Peel outer skin but you should wear gloves for this if […]

Ingredients: 1¼ kilo fresh green Walnuts 1¼ kilo sugar 3 glasses of water 3 sachets of vanilla 1 tsp lemon juice Few blanched almonds (optional) Method: Use the tenderest ones you can find, the older they are the harder they tend to be. They are best picked when they just come out. Wash the walnuts […]

If I were pressed to name one Greek cookie that reminds me of Christmas, this would be it. This is an oil-based cookie recipe that produces moist cake-like cookies flavored with orange and brandy that are bathed in a sweet honey syrup and topped with chopped walnuts. This recipe was given to me by my Thea […]

In Greek: μελιτζανοσαλάτα με καρύδια, pronounced meh-leed-zah-no-sah-LAH-tah meh kah-REETH-yah The combination of the walnuts and a little more vinegar than in other recipes for this fabulous dip give it a nice tart taste that goes wonderfully with wedges of pita bread, raw veggies, and salty cheeses. Ingredients: 4 1/2 pounds of large dark eggplant 3 […]

MELOMAKARONA ME ELAIOLATHO This is one Peloponnesian version of a traditional Christmas cookie. The region’s telltale ingredient, olive oil, replaces butter in this recipe. Sometimes, Greek cooks will do that—replace butter with oil, that is—to transform a sweet into something permissable for fasting. In the Peloponnesos, though, the use of olive oil is the norm rather than the exception. Ingredients: For […]

KOURAMBIETHES ME ELAIOLATHO APO TO LEVITHI Makes about 72 shortbread cookies Ingredients: 2 cups extra-virgin olive oil 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup ouzo 1/2 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 cup finely chopped walnuts Grated zest of 1 lemon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour, […]

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 […]

Melomakarona Yemista me Sousami Melomakarona (also called “phoenikia”) are a traditional Greek cookie, a favorite at Christmas. Most recipes call for the cookie to be dipped in a honey-based syrup, but this recipe calls for a powdered sugar, nut, and spice topping. Since they have no syrup, they can be easily stored in tins or plastic […]