Nothing quite compares to the stunning beauty of pomegranate seeds. It is no wonder that Persephone was tempted to eat those offered to her by Hades in the Greek mythological story. Sadly, just like in the story, pomegranate is only available during a short time of the year. Hrumph!
Greek Souvlaki (Not Shish Kebob!)
The best souvlaki I ever had was from a street vendor in my mom’s village in Greece. I lost track of how many I ate that summer, but I’m sure the guy was amused by this little American girl’s appetite. The meat was served right off a small wood-fired grill with a chunk of bread stuck on the end of the stick. I couldn’t get enough of it then, and I still can’t now.
Beer Braised Pork Loin Roast
Roasts are wonderful for a couple of important reasons: they tend to be cheaper cuts of meat, and they make a lot of food so I get to have leftovers and don’t have to cook every night.
Homemade Peanut Butter
Okay, you know I can HEAR you rolling your eyes. Yes, I bother to make my own nut butter for two very good reasons: 1) control of my ingredients, 2) I’m tired of fighting with jars of stiff peanut butter and having the jar win.
Kalamata-Style Home Cured Olives
A few years ago I was doing some last minute birthday shopping for the Old Man at a local hardware supply store. Lo and behold, I stumbled across something I knew he would want (like, really want): a Kalamata olive tree.
Avgolemono Soup (Greek Egg & Lemon Chicken Soup)
I am home with a sick kid today. I want him nowhere near me because I hate getting sick (does anyone like it?). On the other hand, there’s that whole motherly love thing that drives me to want to take care of him. Is there any better cure-all than chicken soup? I think not.
Continue reading Avgolemono Soup (Greek Egg & Lemon Chicken Soup)
Spinach & Feta Omelets
I will never make it as a short order cook. I’m not the fastest person in the kitchen, and no where near the neatest (I can hear the Old Man agreeing with the last statement just a little too much). However, I have learned some tricks along the way to help streamline certain meals so that I can enjoy them the way I want, and I don’t have to get out of my pajamas to go to a restaurant, either.
Such a Sleepy Baby!
Okay, I know he’s not a baby anymore, but my youngest is still THE baby. No matter what, all my boys will always be MY babies. I think most parents will understand.
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
I didn’t use to pay much attention to chrysanthemums in my earlier days. They just seemed so “common place” and were always the cheap plants at the nursery. But at some point I decided that my garden needed that quintessential splash of color in the fall, so I thought “what the heck”.
Winter Spinach Salad
Sometimes in winter I’ll have the foolish notion that I miss summer. And why not? Days filled with eating warm, summer fruit right off the tree, swimming in the pool with the kids, harvesting fresh tomatoes and peppers. Then I remember the week long stretches of 110+ F heat. Oh yeah, that’s why I don’t miss summer.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Okay, say the following in the voice of an upset three year old: I can do it myself! This was (still is?) me throughout much of my life. I would say ask my mom, but please don’t. She’ll be a little too happy to share stories.
Greek Lamb Stew
Traditionally in Greece, lamb is more of a spring-time thing. But with the invention of these nifty things called refrigerators, freezers, and mass world wide transit, things like lamb are available year round. Good for me, because lamb is one of my favorites. Continue reading Greek Lamb Stew
Family & Fire
Seriously, this is about as un-goofy of a picture of my boys that I can get. I know it may seem a little late to post a Christmas story, but when part of your Christmas was late, it just kind of works out that way.
Protecting Frost Tender Plants
The last time it snowed where I live was December, 1998. My oldest was my only at that time, and a wee one at that, being only four months old. The snow was about 1 inch deep, if that much, and was gone in a day. Continue reading Protecting Frost Tender Plants
“It’s Called Fishing, Not Catching”
I guess I can’t complain about having a child whose sole request for his birthday is to go fishing. Not some elaborate deep-sea trip in an exotic location (though I know he wouldn’t turn it down), just a simple trip to a local river to try his luck. Continue reading “It’s Called Fishing, Not Catching”
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
If you live in a part of the world that doesn’t get snow (jealous?!), most of the growing advice for cool weather crops won’t work for you. Trust me, I’ve tried following the seed packet instructions, only to get nothing. Zip. Zero.
Happy New Year, the Greek Way
New Year’s celebrations seem to be rather universal. Parties with friends, booze with friends, food with friends, fireworks and/or gunshots with friends. You know… the usual.
Greek-Style Roasted Winter Vegetables
Those shiny, round, and bright red tomatoes at the store are lying to you. As you pass by them they whisper to you about how good they will be. Don’t fall for their tricks. You know that they will be dry and flavorless, because it’s not the right season. Continue reading Greek-Style Roasted Winter Vegetables
Mostly Greek 