Homemade ravioli filled with butternut squash and cheese

Very seasonal this recipe of ravioli with homemade pasta, a traditional recipe coming from Tinos island. Although it needs its time in the end you have a very hearty and filling dish to enjoy with plenty of grated cheese on top. Originally this recipe asks for a very special hard Greek cheese from Syros island, the "St. Michali". St. Michali is the most expensive Greek cheese that is Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), made exclusively from cow's milk. It is produced with a traditional technology for the last 60 years on the island and it is highly appreciated by the consumers. The "St. Michali" is a hard yellowish to white cheese with a compact mass, hard and dry skin, distinctive aroma, salty and spicy. Again, I don't expect you to find this cheese abroad but if you do, don't ignore it because it is really special! Parmesan or Greek Kefalotyri cheese can replace the St. Michali rather well. This recipe can be served as a main or as a first dish

Walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes and red peppers dip

Delicious combination of ingredients that give us a coarse red dip which can be served anytime along with toasted bread or bread sticks

Potted octopus with celery and leeks

Octopus is not only suitable for the Summer months to serve as an appetizer. There are countless recipes in the Greek cuisine where octopus can be cooked in so many delicious ways regardless the Season. Here we have a very hearty recipe with celery and leeks which go perfectly well with this popular cephalopod mollusc

Pork fillet with fennel and tagliatelle in whisky and balsamic sauce

Fennel, this tasty and so fragrant vegetable is the star in this delicious recipe!

Fried beetroot balls with feta cheese

Sweet beetroots take a different form in this recipe creating a delicious and refreshing appetizer which can be served in any season!

Potatoes "yahni" with Kalamata olives

Delicious vegetarian dish to enjoy any time of the year. Inspired by the classic Greek "potatoes yahni" recipe, here we have a version which thanks to the famous Kalamata olives becomes even more interesting. As always with such kind of Greek food, feta cheese and fresh country style bread are the best company! But, these potatoes can be also served as a side dish to biftekia (the Greek burgers) or chicken

Spicy chicken salad with fragrant lentils

Although I don't like every possible recipe with lentils that probably exist around the world, they are my favourite dry pulse and I find it quite versatile. If you think of how many different ways it can be cooked and especially how many different ingredients suit to the lentils perfectly... I would not be surprised if there is a different recipe for every single day of the year! Here we have a simple but very tasty, not to mention nutritious, salad with chicken. Nothing exceptional about the ingredients or the method but the combination of all together ends up in a very tasty dish

Fried Manouri cheese with grapes sauce

"Manouri"... a delicious Greek cheese which can be used in so many savoury or even sweet recipes. Here we have a seasonal and very fragrant appetizer using Manouri which will open your meal in the best way! The recipe asks to fry the cheese but you can always cook it under the grill of the oven for a few minutes. In this case just omit the butter. Another delicious way to serve Manouri as an appetizer is to drizzle over with a few drops of "petimezi" (grape molasses) mixed with some balsamic vinegar or to serve it along with some kind of fruit chutney. Try it this way too and you'll remember my words!

Traditional Greek quince jelly

Quinces are here again! Ugly and rough in looks, bitter and stiff in taste it is hard to believe how very versatile this fruit is! It can be used in so many different sweet and savoury recipes which makes it quite popular in Greece. Here, seasonal quinces become a shiny and smooth jelly to enjoy with your breakfast and other meals

Meatballs fricassée with celery and leeks in egg-lemon sauce

The popular Greek meatballs in a delicious recipe ideal for the upcoming cold months! A tasty, healthy and hearty dish to enjoy with the family along with a good red wine. Don't forget to have plenty of fresh country style bread at the table to dip in the luscious creamy sauce!

Easy pumpkin and walnuts bread rolls

Delicious mini breads to serve along with any meal or even to enjoy as a snack through the day. The same recipe can be followed using carrots instead of pumpkin

Fragrant cinnamon and orange cake with buttery glaze

The whole house will smell of cinnamon while you'll be baking this fluffy cake! It is an ideal, not too sweet, snack for anytime to enjoy along with a cup of tea or coffee

Rice pilaf with pumpkin, flavoured with ginger

Pumpkin with rice... A classic Autumn/Winter time dish! A delicious combination of simple ingredients that gives such a joy to those who are fond of such kind of recipes. As always, it can be served plain or as a side dish next to roast poultry or other meat. Usually in risotto recipes most people use olive oil. Personally, although I love olive oil, in risottos I find it too strong in taste and smell and that's why I prefer to use margarine instead. The choice is yours

Greek pesto with spinach, feta cheese and dill

Based, of course, on the famous Italian sauce here we have a variation with more Greek flavours. Easy to put together, this pesto can be used not only on your pasta dishes but adding 1-2 tbsp in a vinaigrette will give to your usual lettuce salad an extra flavour! Also, works perfectly on a potato or fresh beans salad and next to roast chicken or pork fillet

Baked giant beans "plaki" with feta cheese

Another tasty recipe for this nutritious dry pulse which is very popular in Greece regardless the season! After the classic version of baked giant beans and the one with spinach and herbs that I have published in the past, today I have for you something similarly delicious! Don't think that any exceptional ingredients are needed for this dish. Just some feta cheese and celery are more than enough to give to this classic recipe some extra flavour so to enjoy a very nutritious and filling meal with the family

Cocoa biscuits with walnuts and almonds

Easy to put together these biscuits will become a good company to your tea or coffee and a great snack for all day

Tart with smoked cheese, olives and pears

A delicious sweet and savoury tart to enjoy along with a crispy green salad. The original recipe demands the Greek smoked cheese "Metsovone", produced in Metsovo of Epirus region. A delicious and fragrant semi-hard cheese made of cow's or a mixture of cow and sheep (or goat's) milk (with the technique of "pasta filata" or "stretched-curd"). Not sure if you can find this special Greek cheese abroad so any semi-hard smoked cheese can be used, smoked Gouda cheese is a good idea

Fresh figs mousse

A delicious and light dessert to enjoy the fresh figs to the full! Served in small glasses it is more than enough to finish perfectly a rich meal

Pasta salad with chicken, olives and capers

Simple but still easy and very tasty salad to enjoy also as a light meal. The chicken and the peppers can be prepared from the day before. Just a couple of hours before serving all you need to do is to mix the ingredients all together

Mixed mushrooms pastitsio

Inspired by the classic version of the Greek popular pasta dish here we have a vegetarian alternative but still delicious and very filling to enjoy with your family!

Fresh figs and prunes jam

Easy and delicious, as most jams are, this is the ideal seasonal preserve to use for your breakfast, on/in cakes, on yoghurt, pancakes etc. The combination of figs and prunes, both fresh, is really nice! I have to warn you that the skin of the figs doesn't mash so easily. If you don't like the idea then you can always peel the figs before using them. Also, be careful with the sugar, both these fruits are quite sweet by nature so you don't want to overload the jam with sugar

Baked rice pilaf with cherry tomatoes and sausages

An unusual but very tasty dish. Easy to put together, with simple ingredients which can become one of your favourite family meals!

Herbed and spiced yoghurt/cheese balls in the jar!

An easy and delicious way to prepare this appetizer and enjoy it any time you want through the year! They can be served as they are or added in various salads

Lamb chops with grapes and grape molasses syrup

An unusual but very seasonal recipe with ingredients that blend together perfectly and it is a joy to see on a platter! Thick sauce, full of the aromas of grapes, rosemary and "petimezi" (the dark syrup that comes out cooking down the grape must). When in season you can replace the grapes with sour cherries

Pappardelle with anthotyro cheese and rocket leaves sauce

In its simplicity this recipe is a delicious pasta dish for all to enjoy any day in the week! No hassle to put together and it is a nice idea for those days when we don't have the time to spend in the kitchen

Green salad with fresh figs, crispy bacon and grilled Haloumi cheese

This is a delicious and very seasonal salad! The sweetness of the fresh figs goes perfectly well with the crunchy bacon and chewy cheese and makes this filling salad a nice idea even for a light meal or a first dish

Savoury tart with three cheeses and mixed grapes

An unusual recipe but so delicious with a sweet and savoury taste from the grapes and the cheeses! As for the home made pastry is very aromatic, crumbly and delicious. If you can not find Anthotyro cheese substitute with 1 pot (about 175gr.) of Greek yoghurt. A seasonal tart at its best!

White grapes sorbet

Interesting flavours with this refreshing sorbet using grapes which are at their peak this month. Instead of the muscat sparkling wine you can use a simple sweet one and of course instead of white grapes, rosé or dark can be used. Both substitutions though will give a different taste to the sorbet. It is up to you to choose which one suits you better

Baked fish yiouvetsi with orzo and sun-dried tomato pesto

Delicious version of "yiouvetsi"  for those who would like to try something different than the classic orzo dish and the fish lovers of course!

Creamy pudding with fresh figs, honey and pine nuts

An interesting, light and very tasty dessert to enjoy fresh figs while still in season. You can substitute the pine nuts with walnuts or hazelnuts