A gesture of Cypriot Hospitality A traditional and delightful Greek Cypriot custom is the offering of spoon sweets to guests as a symbol of hospitality. They are called spoon sweets because the usual serving size is a well-filled teaspoon. Spoon sweets are popular both in Cyprus and in Greece, usually served with Greek coffee and a […]

Traditionally, one is offered something sweet upon arrival in a Greek home. Greek hosts keep a supply of spoon sweets or preserves on hand that are made from almost any fruit or nut you can imagine. If there is an abundance of fruit on the trees, you can be sure that the bounty will be […]

Ingredients: 15 bergamot oranges 2 kilos of sugar Juice of 2 lemons 3 cups of water 2-3 leaves of sweet- Arbaroriza – Kiouli – Scented pelargonium (optional) Juice of 1/2 a lemon for the finish Spoon Sweets Method: Wash the bergamot well, and dry with a towel. Grate the peel with a fine grater without reaching […]

PASTA PHYLLO APO TO LEVITHI – PELOPONISOS Ingredients: For the syrup 4 cups sugar 3 cups water 1 medium cinnamon stick 5 whole cloves Juice of 1⁄2 lemon 1 strip lemon zest   11⁄2 to 2 cups well-drained Greek citrus fruit spoon sweets (bitter orange, lemon, bergamot), to taste 6 large eggs, separated 1 cup […]

In older times, traditional sweets were made from the boiled thick grape juice which apart from honey was the only other available sweetener. Such sweet grape products were especially made in village clusters that produced grapes in abundance. In 1801 Clarke noted that, “perhaps there is no part in the world where the vine yields such […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Thymari, θυμάρι, pronounced thee-MAH-ree (soft th sound) At the market: Thyme is available both fresh and dried, and fresh thyme is much preferred in cooking. Dried thyme leaves are sold in disposable containers, and fresh thyme is sold in bundles. Thyme is also a good choice for a kitchen herb garden. […]

Ingredients: 12 cups of water 7 1/2 heaped tbsp of maize powdered starch (Niseste) ( Skoni Aravositou) 1 1/2 – 2 tbsp of orange blossom water (Anthonero) or rose water (Rothostagma) Sugar Method: Pour 10 cups of water in a sauce pan and heat until it is almost at the boiling stage. In the mean […]

Ingredients: 12 cups of milk 7 1/2 heaped tbsp of maize powdered starch (Niseste) ( Skoni Aravositou) 8 tbsp of sugar 1 1/2 – 2 tbsp of orange blossom water (Anthonero) or rose water (Rothostagma) Method: Pour 10 cups of milk in a sauce pan and heat until it is almost at the boiling stage. […]

Loukoumades (fried doughballs in syrup), Loukoumia, Ravani, Touloumbes and Baklavas are some well-loved desserts. There are also Pastish, cookies made of ground almonds, that are offered to guests at weddings. Flaounes are savory Easter pies that contain goats cheese (or a variety of cheeses), eggs, spices and herbs all wrapped in a yeast pastry, then brushed with egg […]

Always a favorite during the hot months (and for many, during winter as well), these Greek recipes include ices (granitas), ice cream, and the famous mastic-flavored “kaimaki” ice cream. Greek Vanilla Ice Cream – Pagoto Krema This basic recipe for vanilla ice cream uses full fat milk and whipping cream, and can be used as […]