I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but my parents LOVE throwing parties; be it for the holidays, other occasions or for absolutely no reason at all, we grew up in a house that was seemingly constantly filled with people. [READ MORE]
Soutzoukakia
in Savoury, Taste -
As I’ve previously mentioned, I don’t often cook meat- I’m not a vegetarian and don’t dislike meat, but I usually find myself mostly inspired by vegetables and their different colours, shapes and textures, plus I can’t resist the simplicity that cooking fish requires. Mostly, I’m pretty clueless when it comes to meat and don’t really know what to do with it. There are however certain meat dishes I thoroughly enjoy, so I timidly make the effort of making them from time to time. [READ MORE]
New Year’s cake (Vasilopita)
in Desserts, Taste -
Vasilopita (Basil pie) is the highlight of the season’s festivities for me; the dessert is named after St Basil, a very wealthy and generous man living in Cappadocia in the 4th century who, as the story goes, decided to distribute his fortune to those in need, by making small pies and hiding money or jewelry in each one of them.
Chestnut, leek & sage soup
in Savoury, Taste -
For the past few years, I spend New Year’s Eve at my parents house, with family and close friends of my parents. I always anticipate this night mostly because of the food- even though past 12 o’clock things usually deteriorate for me: by that time I have eaten so much, I can hardly move; and yet, instead of staying in and watching Home Alone or Charmed for the gazillionth time while rubbing my belly, I usually have to go out and meet my overenthusiastic, and usually quite drunk friends, for whom apparently the highlight of the night is not food. [READ MORE]
Crunchy pumpkin & feta turnovers
in Savoury, Taste -
One of my favourite treats during the holiday season was the little cheese pies (tyropitakia) my maternal grandma used to make; shaped like teeny tiny croissants, filled with feta and brushed with lots of butter, they were delicious and irresistible- like, really irresistible: I usually ate three in a row, took a break, then had another three, and repeat all over again, as practice makes perfect.
Earl Grey muffins
in Breakfast, Desserts, Taste -
Christmas morning is one of my favourite times of the year. It’s always spent in our house in the mountains, just the four of us, opening presents, while consuming copious amounts of coffee and dragging the monstrous breakfast we have prepared to almost lunch time. [READ MORE]
Cavolo nero, pine nut & cranberry quick pasta
in Savoury, Taste -
Last Friday night I arrived back home in Athens for the holidays. Ever since, I’ve been in the midsts of a tornado of love, affection, confrontation and laziness. Along with my sister, I’ve also been caught up in a semi-frantic, absolutely childish, totally satisfying holiday mode, which includes blow up candycanes, so many fairy lights, very moderate wine drinking, beautiful festive flowers, gift buying and wrapping and lots and lots of menu and party planning. [READ MORE]
Turmeric apple tart
in Desserts, Taste -
As of late, my favourite mid-day snack is a red, juicy apple, cut in thick wedges, with some tahini drizzled on top, finished off with some sea salt flakes. I always love combining sweet and salty flavours and this one is just perfect for a quick bite: the fruit, along with the nutty sesame paste and just a touch of salt is not only fulfilling, but also just right to keep me full for a few hours and stop me from attacking dinner like a mad person.
Fancy mac & cheese
in Savoury, Taste -
In the wintertime, when the living is sometimes not so easy, mac & cheese is hands down one of my favorite comfort foods. I don’t cook it often though, since I’ve noticed that I can easily scoff down half a baking dish on my own. Easily. Over the years, I ‘ve tried many variations- some successful, others not at all.
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Green peas & mint soup
in Savoury, Taste -
The Sunday before I left for Paris, we had two of my favourite people over for dinner. Since I hadn’t seen them in a while, I had a spectacular meal planned- in my head and in my fridge. But that was also the Sunday we decided to spend lazily, ditching our plans and our phones. So we woke up late, went for a walk in the rain and had a very long brunch, which was followed by a quick session of holiday shopping. [READ MORE]