BOGATSA Makes one 18-inch round loaf Ingredients: 8 to 10 cups all-purpose flour, as needed 3 cups sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 8 large eggs 1⁄2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup warm water 1⁄3 cup ouzo Sesame seeds or slivered blanched almonds for garnish Method: 1. Combine 8 […]

In Greek: πιλάφι, pronounced pee-LAH-fee There are two kinds of rice dishes in Greece: rice (ryzi) and pilaf (pilafi). Rice is… well, rice, and pilaf is creamy and cooked in broth from freshly boiled chicken or beef. Pilaf is a traditional wedding dish on Crete, where it’s made in enormous quantities to feed the often […]

Kourabiethes me Amygthala & Kanela In Greek: κουραμπιέδες με αμύγδαλα και κανέλα, say: koo-rahb-YEH-thes meh ah-MEEGH-thah-lah keh kah-NEH-lah Kourabiethes are celebration cookies: they are prepared at Christmas, baptisms, and weddings. This recipe for these shortbread-type cookies is packed with toasted almonds, includes the taste of cinnamon, and calls for the traditional coating of lots of confectioner’s […]

Soumatha (soo-MAH-tha) is a soft drink made from ground sweet and bitter almonds. Traditionally served at happy occasions, Soumatha is very popular at weddings and engagements because of its distinctive white color. When I asked around town for a traditional recipe, I was directed to Kyria (Mrs.) Anna Simboura who is famed to make the best […]

Greek name and pronunciation: kymino, κύμινο, pronounced KEE-mee-no At the market: Ground cumin is the form most widely used, and is available in sprinkle-pour spice containers. Physical characterisitcs: Ground cumin is a yellowish-brown color with a strong (not hot) taste and aroma. The cumin plant prefers a warm and humid climate, and grows 6 to […]

THIPLES Thiples—sometimes called xerotygana—are not unique to the Peloponnesos, but they are very much a part of the region’s culinary life. “A wedding without thiples would be like a wedding without a bride,” one woman told me. While the sweet is made all over Greece, it is shaped differently from place to place. In Crete, for example, strips of dough about […]

Ingredients: 12 medium or large eggs Skins from 15 yellow Spanish onions 2 tablespoons of white vinegar 4 1/2 cups of water What You will Need: Fresh uncooked eggs at room temperature Skins from yellow Spanish onions White vinegar Stainless steel saucepan Strainer Bowl Slotted spoon Paper towels Cooling racks Tulle or women’s nylon stockings […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Thendrolivano, δεντρολίβανο, pronounced then-droh-LEE-vah-no (hard th sound) At the market: Dried rosemary is usually packaged in disposable containers or sprinkle-pour bottles. Fresh bunches of rosemary may be available during its growing season, when the weather is warm. Rosemary does well in a kitchen herb garden. Physical characteristics: Rosemary is a member […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Mantzourana, μαντζουράνα, pronounced mahnd-zoo-RAH-nah, also spelled matzourana (ματζουράνα), and pronounced mahd-zoo-RAH-nah At the market: Marjoram is usually available as whole dried leaves and floral parts, and in powdered form. Fresh marjoram is sometimes available at green grocers. If you have space in your kitchen, in your garden, on a window sill, […]

Reci is the traditional cyprus dessert made on the weddings evends. Ingredients: 2 1 / 2 pounds veal or lamb or pork or chicken, according to your preference [may include the tail of sheep (vakla)] 3-4 kg wheat salt water Method: Wash well the meat, so no trace of blood or and place in bottom […]