Melomakarona — Honey-soaked walnut cookies
Melomakarona (μελομακάρονα) are the iconic Greek Christmas cookies that melt in your mouth and glisten with honey. These tender, egg-shaped cookies are traditionally made for the holidays, their name coming from the Greek words for “honey” (meli) and the old funeral bread (makaria) that inspired them. The story goes that the original dough was a simple sacrificial bread soaked in…
Pasteli — Greek Sesame & Honey Bars
Pasteli (παστέλι) is an ancient Greek sweet made from sesame seeds and honey – essentially the world’s original energy bar. Its history stretches back to Homeric times and beyond, when Greeks made a simple confection of toasted sesame seeds bound together with honey. Today it is still a common Greek snack: chewy, nutty sesame bars that are naturally gluten-free and…
Glyka tou Koutaliou — Spoon Sweets
Glyka tou koutaliou literally means “sweet on the spoon.” These are Greek spoon sweets – fruit (or even vegetable) preserves served by the spoonful. They are the epitome of Greek hospitality: a small dish or a single preserved fruit served to guests with coffee or tea. The tradition dates back to antiquity, evolving as a way to extend the sweetness…
Karydopita — Walnut Syrup Cake
Karydopita (literally "walnut pie") is a classic Greek dessert that oozes warmth and hospitality. This cake is centered on its star ingredient – walnuts – which are mixed coarsely into a rich, spiced batter. After baking, the hot cake is drenched in a syrup (often with honey and a hint of lemon) so that every slice becomes soaked and tender.…
Revani — Syrup-Soaked Semolina Sponge Cake
Revani (also spelled “ravani”) is a beloved Greek syrup cake with Ottoman roots. It is made from semolina flour, which gives it a delicate crumb and gentle graininess. The cake bakes into a tender, yellow sponge; immediately after baking it is bathed in a lightly flavored simple syrup. Lemon or orange juice is often added to the syrup, so that…
Portokalopita — Syrupy Orange Phyllo Cake
Portokalopita is a storied Greek dessert built around two beloved ingredients: orange and phyllo pastry. In this cake, layers of dry, flaky phyllo scraps mingle with a batter of eggs, creamy yogurt, and bright orange juice. Once baked to a golden brown, the cake is drenched in a sweet orange syrup. The result is a luxuriously syrup-soaked cake that manages…
Calamari (Kalamari Tiganito)
Few appetizers capture the spirit of a Greek summer by the sea like a basket of golden fried calamari. In tavernas from Santorini to Thessaloniki, Kalamari Tiganitó (Greek-style fried squid) is served sizzling hot, its crackling, cornmeal-speckled batter hinting at the tender squid inside. Each ring is a study in contrasts: a crispy, light coating that shatters on the first…
Fasolakia Ladera
Fasolakia ladera is the very picture of homey Greek cooking. Each bite of this green bean stew delivers the warm, sun-ripened flavor of summer vegetables, enlivened by sweet tomatoes and rich olive oil. It may appear simple, but the dish carries the comforting depth of generations of family dinners around a well-worn wooden table. Unlike more elaborate Mediterranean recipes, fasolakia…
Arakas Laderos
Arakas Laderos is a humble yet deeply satisfying Greek stew of peas and carrots gently simmered in olive oil and tomato. The name literally means “peas in oil,” reflecting its simple ingredients: tender green peas, grated carrots, and often a base of stewed tomatoes with garlic and herbs. Unlike rich meat stews, Arakas Laderos is an unfussy vegetarian comfort food…
Marinated Anchovies (Gavros Marinatos)
Gavros marinatos offers a bold taste of the Greek islands. This classic Greek meze features tiny fresh anchovies “cooked” by their marinade in vinegar and olive oil. Often called a Greek sushi analogy, the raw anchovies are filleted and layered with wine vinegar, garlic and oregano, then allowed to rest until they take on a firm, ceviche-like texture. The result…
