For more reasons than I care to name here, I have been cooking a lot of ‘comfort food’ of late. I am sure that ‘comfort food’ has always been with us but I suspect that it is only the modern luxury of food choice and the self-awareness of our times the has made it a…
No Messing Moussaká – Greek Food Myth No.3
It is arguably, the most famous but also the most maligned of all Greek dishes. Unfortunately most visitors to Greece do not experience home-cooked moussaká, instead eating it at touristy tavérnes. There it seems to have two incarnations – either as a congealing, solid, stripy slab or as a slop, served in individual ceramic pots. Neither…
Perasma, Kos – Greek cooking from field to plate
When you know a place like the back of your hand their is pleasure in revisiting the familiar – slipping back into the known just like putting on a pair of comfy shoes. It’s easy is to swim at the usual beaches and eat at your favourite restaurants. Then, every once in a while, you…
Sweet Summer Spice – Kaneláda – Cinnamon Cordial
I am currently suffering from a very specific condition. Fortunately, it is not life threatening – I’m sure that. externally I may even appear fit and healthy. Nonetheless, the affliction continues and the cure that I am desperately in need of is a good, strong dose of Greece. In these last, flagging weeks of August has…
Easy food for changing places – Fassolákia Yahní – Green Bean Casserole
There hasn’t been a lot of cooking done in our house since my last post. Obviously, we’ve all been reeling from the massive events in this country but that hasn’t been the reason for the lack of culinary activity. The cause is much more practical and mundane – we’re moving house. After twenty two years of…
23rd June 2016 and 23rd June 1979 – Big decision days
On a sleepy, summer Sunday evening towards the end of July 1979, a couple, in late middle age, were disturbed by a ring of the doorbell. After a day in the garden, they had settled down for a quiet night and the very last thing that they were expecting was a visit from the police….
Sweet nothings – Rizógalo – Greek Rice Pudding
It occurred to me recently that I have only posted a couple of sweet recipes so far. Truth be known, perhaps I am happier with the savoury palette than the sweet – or maybe I don’t have the patience for a lot of fiddling around with confections of sugar and butter. Having said that, there…
A New Greek Delight in London – ‘Hellenic Gourmet and Bakery’
A random Google search whilst visiting London last week had a very positive result. I have to admit that when it comes to making tsoureki – the fabulous Greek version of brioche – I struggle. It’s probably because I am a little impatient – the proving and rising takes forever – or it could be…
The Brightness of an Island Easter – Lambrópites – Easter Pies
Back in the distant days of the mid-1980s, I was fortunate enough to spend a few years living on the Greek island of Kos – one of the Dodecanese group of islands, in the eastern Aegean. It is now known as a major ‘package holiday’ destination, but back then the original character of the island…
A new take on an old favourite – Kritharoto – Orzo with Seafood
There is a school of thought that traditional food is just that; it’s traditional and should definitely not be messed around with. Sometimes a new version of a classic dish can seem pretentious and, just trying a bit too hard. Then, on the other hand, a bit of imagination can turn an everyday recipe into…
Amalthea Deli – Greek delights on line
Sometimes life is a series of happy accidents – serendipity, or whatever you like to call it. Out of absolutely nowhere comes a happenstance, and there you go …. suddenly you realise that the world is a very small place. That was exactly how an unplanned, but hugely memorable, meal in the foothills of Mount…
Athenian shopping obsession – Evripidou Street
Migrating birds definitely know a thing or two. Having spent the last few months in Athens, I can confirm that going South for the winter is the sweetest way to spend the darkest months. Obviously, we have not gone as far as Africa, but the weather has been kinder and the days, even in December,…
