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)
Figs are an oddity in the fruit tree world. If given the right conditions, they’ll produce fruit throughout the year. But what happens if that’s not the conditions you happen to live in? You get creative, that’s what.
Continue reading Traditional Greek Fig Spoon Sweet
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)
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)
I have finally accepted the fact that I will never be able to grow sugar maple trees to make my own maple syrup because of the climate here. But I live in grape growing country. So there.
Continue reading Petimezi (Greek Grape Molasses)
Plums are liars. Okay, not all plums lie, but when they do it’s really bad, but it’s nothing that booze and sugar can’t fix. Well, at least in this case.
Continue reading Greek Spiced Candied Plums & Plum Brandy (or Plum Spoon Sweets & Syrup!)
If you have ever eaten a Greek or Middle Eastern sweet with a floral flavor you couldn’t quite pin your finger on, it was likely flavored with rose. Yes, like the ones in your garden.
It’s a little embarrassing to admit that I have a recipe for a “cheater’s” version of a loukoumades recipe posted before one for the traditional (and actual) method. Oh well, you’ll still like them anyway!
Continue reading Quick & Easy Loukoumades (Greek Honey Puffs)
You know the old saying that good things come to those that wait? This is a really good thing worth waiting for! (It may not be that long of a wait, either!)
Continue reading Greek Kumquat Liqueur (with a Bonus Treat!)
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.
Each year we are bombarded with fruits from our trees and that of my parents. I’ve decided that the best way to “share the love” is to make a variety of treats to pass on to friends and loved ones.
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)
I didn’t get to enjoy this treat much when I was a kid. Once I got a home with a yard large enough, I planted a sour cherry tree just so I could have it when I wanted. That took care of that!
Continue reading Greek Sour Cherry “Spoon Sweet” (Vissino Glyko Koutaliou)
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.
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)
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.
It is amazing how many tasty treats can be made with things most of us would just toss away. That they were made in the first place tells us that the genius behind them was a frugal person not wanting to waste what could be otherwise useful.
Meringues may not be a Greek invention, but ask any Greek if they really care. Hint: they don’t.
If there is ever a global shortage on sugar or honey, I’m not sure what most Greeks are going to do. Greeks really love their sweets.
Mostly Greek 