PASTITSIO VENETSIANIKO Ingredients: Makes 10 to 12 servings For the pastry: 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) cold unsalted butter 1/3 to 1/2 cup ice water, as needed For the filling: 1 pound thick tubular spaghetti, like bucatini 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, […]

When teaching others to make this dish, I have often joked that the word pastitsio (pa-STEE-tsee-oh) translates to “messy kitchen” in Greek. I was only kidding, but there is a hint of truth to that statement. The Greek word pastitsio derives from the Italianpasticcio, which loosely translates to a mess or a hodgepodge. Three essential components make […]

In Greek: μπεσαμέλ με τυρί (pronounced behs-sah-MEL meh tee-REE) It’s made with evaporated milk and contains cheese, and is just one variation of this popular sauce used with meats and vegetables. It isn’t hard to make, and doesn’t take long, but it has to be stirred the entire time. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Moschokaritho, μοσχοκάρυδο, pronounced mos-ho-KAH-ree-thoh (hard th, rhymes with “dough”) At the market: Both “whole nut” and ground powdered nutmeg are readily available commercially. Physical characteristics: The nut is a shiny dark brown in color, oval in shape, and about an inch long by 1/2-inch diameter. The nut’s interior is a lighter […]

In Greek: μακαρόνια ογκρατέν, pronounced mah-kah-ROHN-yah oh-grah-TEN Macaroni and cheese is a favorite with all families, and this oven casserole is the reason why Greeks love it. It’s made a bit differently than the familiar “mac n cheese” and it’s delicious! If you’ve been looking for a meatless version of the famous Greek Pastitsio, this […]

Pasta (called “zymarika” in Greek) are favorites combined with all types of meats and seafood. Greek cooking makes use of many different types of pastas, from small soup pasta to large pasta tubes used to make the famous “pastitsio.” Lamb with Pasta Oven Casserole – Yiouvetsi Pasta with Zucchini & Tomatoes Pasta with Spicy Reddened […]