In her book “When Zeus Became a Man (with Cretan shepherds),” author Sabine Ivanovas describes myzithra as “the most sensuous cheese of the world.” When she visited cheesemaker Vassilikos in the village of Xeraxyla on Crete and asked for a sample of his just-made myzithra, she reported that it melts on the tongue and fills […]

In Greek: μυζηθροπιτάκια, pronounced mee-zee-throh-pee-TAHK-yah Use your homemade phyllo dough and a pasta machine for this easy and quick recipe for a sweet cheese pie to serve as a dessert or snack. Tip: These can be made ahead of time and frozen. Freeze flat on a tray covered with a towel and foil. Once frozen, place in plastic bags. To […]

In Greek: μυζηθρόπιτα, pronounced mee-zee-THROH-pee-tah Myzithra, like many Greek cheeses, comes in two varieties: fresh and soft, and aged and sharp. This recipe calls for unsalted fresh myzithra. If you can’t find this fabulous cheese, try the recipe with another dense, slightly moist, unsalted white cheese, such as ricotta or mascarpone. Cook Time: 50 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Ingredients: […]

HTAPODOSOUPA This soup traditionally calls for dried octopus, not the easiest thing to find either in America or in urban Greece, so I have reworked it a little for fresh octopus. Makes 6 to 8 servings Ingredients: 1 medium fresh or frozen octopus (about 3 pounds), cleaned if necessary 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup dry white […]

PRETZA ME PSOMI Pretza is a local feta cheese product made in Zakynthos and Cephalonia, something akin to cream cheese but pungent and peppery. You can find it in several cheese shops in Athens, but it is nowhere to be found in America. You can make an ersatz version by mixing crumbled feta with a little ricotta or fresh Greek myzithra […]

In Greek: κολοκυθάκια γεμιστά με λιαστές ντομάτες, pronounced koh-loh-kee-THAHK-yah meh lee-ahs-TES doh-MAH-tes This recipe for stuffed zucchini is a summer delight with orzo pasta, myzithra cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Ingredients: 6 large zucchini 1/2 pound of orzo pasta 1 large onion, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1/4 pound […]

Delicious grilled eggplant slices rolled and stuffed with a savory spinach and Feta cheese filling and baked in a flavorful tomato sauce. This can be a great vegetarian entrée or a tasty side dish to your favorite summer meal. Note: If you are pressed for time, you can save yourself a step by using your favorite […]

In Greek: κολοκυθάκια με δυόσμο pronounced koh-loh-kee-THAH-keeyah meh thee-OHZ-moh The two-step process of first lightly frying the zucchini then baking it with added ingredients is often found in Greek zucchini recipes as it softens the zucchini and gives it an opportunity to absorb some of the olive oil. Like many Greek vegetable dishes, this can […]