Biscuits are the mascot of Southern cuisine and one of my cherished childhood memories. Every Sunday, my father would rise before the rest of us, and prepare a fresh batch. Staying true to my mother’s Appalachian upbringing, he always used buttermilk and shortening. After spending 15 years in the Northeast, I had forgotten about biscuits, until relocating to North Carolina a few years ago. By then, I had become weary of shortening, and developed a deep appreciation for extra virgin olive oil. Not only did I value its health benefits, I was also learning from my Greek mother-in-law how to use…
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Continue ReadingGreek honey cookies or “melomakarona” are a staple in Greek homes during the holidays. The flavors of cinnamon, clove, orange, nuts, and honey suit the season perfectly. They’re wonderful in the morning or afternoon with a cup of coffee and can keep for weeks stored in a cookie tin or tupperware. Ingredients For the cookies 7.5 cups unbleached flour 1 cup orange juice 2.5 cups extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup whiskey or brandy 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon A pinch of ground clove Half an orange For the crumbled nuts 1 cup…
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Continue ReadingBlueberry season is here and in our house that means Blueberry Zucchini Bread! A friend shared this recipe several years ago and I felt compelled to write about it as no one I speak with seems to have heard of combining blueberries and zucchini in a quick bread. Sure, many have tried Zucchini bread but the addition of blueberries is less common, which is unfortunate because it’s fantastic! Everyone who tastes it raves about it. While this recipe doesn’t come from my Greek repertoire, I used olive oil instead of canola oil and honey instead of sugar, giving it a more mediterranean feel…
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Continue ReadingIt wouldn’t be a Greek Christmas without kourabiedes, a type of Greek almond shortbread cookies. A few weeks back, one of my good friends asked if I could share our family’s recipe. She wanted to make a batch for her husband who is of Greek decent and fondly recalls his grandmother’s own Christmas treats. As I discussed the recipe with my mother-in-law, she mentioned that her own mother-in-law made kourabiedes with olive oil instead of butter, which is the usual ingredient. As soon as I heard that these could be made with olive oil, I had to give it a try;…
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Continue ReadingBaklava is traditionally made with walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. The recipe is the exact same, whichever nut you choose. I love to use pecans, which are local to North Carolina, and work beautifully in this recipe. Think Greek style pecan pie! Our family recipe uses extra virgin olive oil instead butter. While baking a sweet dish with olive oil may seem odd, it tastes great when using ingredients with flavors such as nuts, spices, and honey, not to mention the health benefits. However, if you’re not a fan of using olive oil, simply substitute the ingredient with melted butter. Ingredients…
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Continue ReadingGreek feta cheese pie, otherwise known as “tiropita” in Greek, is delicious and relatively easy to make. The savory and tangy filled baked phyllo makes these hand held baked goods perfect as an appetizer or for a quick snack. Serve your Greek cheese pie hot out of the oven, at room temperature, or right out of the refrigerator for a cool treat on a hot summer day. Ingredients 8oz roll room temperature phyllo dough 4 eggs 6 ounces Greek yogurt 11 ounces feta cheese 1/4 cup milk 6 tablespoons butter Preparation Melt 6 tablespoons of butter and set aside In…
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Continue ReadingSimilar to pastry dough, store bought bread contains far more ingredients than those required to bake bread at home. In addition to all sorts of preservatives to extend shelf life, most store bought bread contains too much salt or sugar. This can be particularly problematic for people following a low sodium or low sugar diet. Home baked bread is a perfect answer. While making your own bread will require a little time, it freezes well and can be enjoyed for days or even weeks depending on how much bread you consume on a daily basis. In our home, one loaf of…
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Continue ReadingThese Greek cinnamon cookies known as “koulourakia” are a staple in our family. They are crunchy with a light cinnamon flavor, making them the perfect accompaniment to your morning or afternoon coffee. I also love that I can involve my kids in the baking of these homemade Greek cinnamon cookies. Because they don’t contain any egg, I don’t panic if one of them decides to sneak a bite of raw cookie dough. While the pictures below illustrate three different shapes, you can make whichever shape you wish. The only thing to consider with different shapes is your baking time. Ingredients…
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Continue ReadingSpanakopita is one of the most popular Greek foods. The flaky phyllo dough combined with the savory spinach and feta filling – what’s not the love?! There are many good spanakopita brands available at grocery stores but in my book, nothing beats the homemade kind. If you make them at home, you can determine the ratios of each ingredient. You can go heavier or lighter on the dill, add extra onion, or even mix things up with two different kinds of cheeses. Our family recipe uses extra virgin olive oil instead of butter for the phyllo. If you prefer to…
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Continue ReadingHomemade pastry dough is quick and easy to make and is prepared with extra virgin olive oil, making it suitable for those following a dairy free or vegan diet. We use it most often for savory dishes and it can also be used for sweet baked goods. If baking something sweet, add a tablespoon of sugar to the recipe. The ingredients will yield two large pies. If you don’t need that much dough, reduce the amounts by half or store the extra dough in the refrigerator to be used later in the week. Ingredients 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup extra virgin…