There is a huge debate amongst Greek circles as to which is the best Greek Christmas cookie. You’re either Team Kourambiethes, or you’re Team Melomakarona. I just say, I’ll eat yours, whatever it is, if you don’t want it.
Continue reading Melomakarona (Greek Honey Cookies)
I honestly believe that chocolate as we know it in its modern form is proof that God exists and loves us very, very, very, very much. Please don’t try to change my mind, I prefer to live in this version of reality.
Continue reading Mosaiko (Greek Chocolate Refrigerator Cake)
Each year we harvest a lot of fruit from our backyard orchard. Each year, I make a lot of jams and jellies. Each year I realize we don’t eat a lot of it. Hmmmm…
Continue reading Pasta Flora (Greek Jam Tart)
The beginning of each new year here starts off in the worst way for those whose resolutions were to eat healthier and lose weight: the arrival of Girl Scout Cookie season. Me personally, I embrace it with a little too much gusto.
Continue reading Macadamia Nut and White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chances are good that unless you were raised in a traditional Greek home, you have never heard of these cookies. They may not look like much, but you’ll have to trust me when I tell you that looks can be deceiving.
Continue reading Moustokouloura (Greek Grape Molasses Cookies)Anyone who has a fruiting fig tree will confirm that they can be overwhelmingly abundant. Not too many people mind this problem.
Continue reading Fig Upside Down Cake
Each summer my exercise routine consists of repeatedly running frantically out of my kitchen to the backyard, flapping my arms and yelling “ch ch ch ch” to scare away the scrub jays from my nectarine tree. When I’m tired, I make the boys do it.
One time, my reward from my dad for a semester of good grades was a jar of Planters Dry Roasted peanuts to have all to myself. No joke, one of the best treats I’ve ever received.
You know those cartoons that show a person debating what to do with an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other giving conflicting advice? This cake is like the two of them got together and struck a deal.
You’ve likely heard the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. This cake is a true treasure traditionally made with “trash”. Well, kind of.
As handy as Google translate can be, there are times when it really kind of sucks. Like when you’re trying to read recipes in Romanian. I’m pretty sure these cookies aren’t really called raisins with raisins, because that seems kind of redundant.
Continue reading Fursecuri Cu Stafide (Romanian Rum Raisin Cookies)
Unlike pumpkin pie, which is usually relegated exclusively to the Thanksgiving meal, apple pie gets to sashay its way all throughout autumn and winter. Good, because I like to eat it and it’s easy to prepare!
This is the very first recipe where I not only created it, I also *get this* … actually wrote it down. Like, with real measurements and everything.
If you are fortunate enough to have a fig tree, you will never starve. Well, at least while the figs are in season.
Continue reading Fresh Fig & Honey Yiaourtopita (Greek Yogurt Cake)
If you’ve ever worked with phyllo dough, you know that you’ve got limited time to use it before it turns into a flaky, dried out mess.  All is not lost.
I planted a very specific variety of cherry tree just so I could make two things: a Greek cherry brandy, and honest-to-goodness old fashioned cherry pie. I guess I’m a serious do-it-yourselfer.
Greeks love their sweets, and they love them best with a heavy dose of a flavor-filled syrup drizzled poured over them. Because why not? Continue reading Ravani (Greek Semolina & Orange Syrup Cake)
There is a good chance that if my youngest is in the garden but is nowhere to be seen, he has found some strawberries and is gobbling them up before anyone else gets a chance to.
In a Greek home, koulourakia are to Easter what pumpkin pie is to Thanksgiving. Can you have one without the other and still call it a holiday? I think not.
There are a whole lot of pumpkin pie recipes out there, and as far as I’m concerned, most of them are kind of just meh. Overly sweet, weirdly smooth, and lacking any flavor other than cinnamon, that’s not much of a recommendation.
Continue reading Good Ol’ Pumpkin Pie
Mostly Greek 