Ingredients: 1/2 pound unsprayed young pink rose petals 2 pounds sugar 1 cup water Juice of 2 lemons Method: Place the petals, in batches, in a large sieve or colander and shake so that any excess dirt, pollen, and stamens fall out. Place the cleaned petals in a large basin and sprinkle with the sugar. (This may also have […]

This is a traditional dish for Carnival and Ascension Day (the Thursday forty days after Easter that celebrates Christ’s rise into heaven). Ingredients: Filling ingredients: 2.5-lb. leg of lamb, cut into cubes 4.5 c. warm water (heated in a saucepan or microwave, not from the tap) 1 c. minced onions 1.5 c. chopped celery 1.5 […]

RIGANATHA APO TIN LEFKADA This is another simple bread snack that was the traditional afternoon meal among field hands and farmers in Lefkada. Islanders will tell you proudly that riganatha isn’t made anywhere else in Greece, and they are right. Unique to this dish is its dressing—rose water vinegar. For the rose water vinegar: The traditional way of making this was […]

It’s great in pastries to add a touch of fragrance Rose water is used in the refreshing Μαχαλλεπί (mahallepi), a popular dish enjoyed during hot summer days Add a few drops to a glass of water for a simple, subtle, refreshing drink Glyko tou koutaliou, the traditional Cypriot preserved sweets, can be made with rose […]

This recipe is the more traditional way to prepare rose water. You can make a quart of excellent-quality rose water in about 40 minutes. However, if you simmer the water too long, you will continue to produce distilled water but the rose essence will become diluted. Your rose water will smell more like plain distilled […]

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 […]

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. […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Glistritha, γλιστρίδα, pronounced ghlee-STREE-thah (hard “th” sound) At the market: At the grocery store, you might find purslane leaves sold as a fresh herb packaged in disposable containers. It is sometimes available as a live plant sold in potting containers ready for transfer to your garden. Physical characteristics: Purslane leaves are […]

Christmas Recipes Christ or Christmas Bread – Christopsomo Christmas Bread – Christopsomo from Peloponniso Brandy Sugar Biscuits – Kourabiethes Syrup-Drenched Nut and Spice Cookies with Olive Oil Shortbread Cookies from Levithi Lenten Sugared Shortbread Cookies with Almonds Sugared Cookies with Almonds & Cinnamon Sugared Shortbread Cookies with Walnuts Christmas Pudding – Xristougenniatiki Poutinga Christmas Sesame […]

Coffee Cake-Style Cakes (9) Cookies & Biscotti (16) Donuts, Puffs, and Other Fried Dough Sweets (12) Ices & Ice Creams (4) Pancakes & Crepes (3) Amigdalota (Greek Almond Macaroons) Apple Baklava Greek and Cypriot Jam recipes Greek Ek Mek Sweet – Ekmek Kataifi Custard in Fillo Pastry – Galaktoboureko Christmas Pudding – Xristougenniatiki Poutinga Greek Lemon & Yogurt Cake – […]