Tomato braised sausage, known in Greece as “spetzofai”, is a family favorite in our home. The traditional recipe has a slight kick from the spicy sausage. My boys prefer a non-spicy version, which is easily achieved by swapping out the spicy sausage for sweet Italian sausage. It pairs well with…
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Continue ReadingA traditional youvetsi consists of roast lamb with orzo in a rich tomato broth. It is delicious and holds a place of honor on Greek menus. A few years back, my mother-in-law introduced me to a spin on the traditional dish by substituting the tomato broth with cherry tomatoes. The…
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Continue ReadingIf there was ever a dish that conveyed how melt-in-your mouth delicious eggplant can be, it is this tomato baked eggplant recipe, known in Greece as “imam bayildi”. The sauce is prepared one of two ways – with homemade tomato sauce, which yields a deeper flavor, or diluted tomato paste,…
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Continue ReadingAn alternative to moussaka, pastitsio, which some refer to as Greek lasagna, is the epitome of Greek comfort food. With its thick layer of pasta, savory meat sauce, and rich bechamel, this dish isn’t modest on the calorie front, but it makes up for it with a big food hug.…
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Continue ReadingWhen people hear that I write about Greek food, one of the most common recipe requests I receive is for chicken lemon soup or “avgolemono”. As popular as this dish may be, it’s not one that my mother-in-law cooks on a regular basis. As a result, I didn’t have a…
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Continue ReadingGreek baked beans is a type of large lima bean baked in tomato sauce and is one of the most satisfying vegetarian dishes I have come across. One of the qualities of Greek cooking is the natural balance that exists between meat and vegetables. And in the case of these…
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Continue ReadingThe true translation for this recipe is “fried pork” but “mustard pork” seems more appropriate given its flavor. There are a variety of ways to prepare this dish. Some include mustard, while others do not. This particular version is inspired by a meal we enjoyed at a small taverna, while…
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Continue ReadingOf the many recipes I’ve learned from my mother-in-law, this braised pork is a definite top contender. Unlike pan seared pork chops, which can easily be overcooked, making them dry and chewy, this recipe is consistently melt-in-your mouth delicious. This is due both to the cooking technique and the cut…
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Continue ReadingThis baked fish recipe is light, nutritious, and full of flavor. As the vegetables bake, they “caramelize”, creating richness and depth that complements the fish. The flexibility of this recipe is also a plus. You can use a whole range of fish — cod, salmon, tilapia, sole, and it can…
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Continue ReadingWhen first tasting this Greek spaghetti with meat sauce, I was reminded of my childhood favorite – spaghetti bolognese. Although there are similarities between the two, a closer look reveals some key differences. In this recipe, the rich and savory flavors of the ground beef are enhanced by a dash of…