Christmas "Sarmades" - Pickled cabbage rolls stuffed with mince and rice

Another traditional and delicious recipe coming (mainly) from Northern Greece and which in many areas is considered as a classic Christmas meal but it can be found during the Winter-time in general. The main difference between the classic stuffed cabbage rolls and the Sarmades (Sarmas in singular) is that in the latter pickled cabbage is used instead of fresh cabbage. Also, this version rather rarely is served with the customary lemon and egg sauce (avgolemono) like we usually do with the classic cabbage rolls. Today's version can be found in Kastoria region and as you'll see the ingredients are rather few and the most basic for stuffed cabbage rolls. But, regardless the possible differences from region to region, this recipe is a great sample of what we call "comfort food"

Stuffed aubergines casserole with mildly spiced ground meat and almonds

Inspired by the aubergines "Imam Bayildi" (a recipe shared with the Turkish cuisine) and the aubergines "Papoutsakia" - two of the most popular and delicious traditional dishes in Greece - this casserole is a great idea to enjoy the aubergines during the Summer!! The chef combines the best elements of the two recipes to create a really filling and delicious meal for the whole family!!

Moussakas with aubergines - A classic with a few twists here and there...

Well, here we go again... This delicious, popular and world-known dish once again appears at our table to remind us that it's not possible a Summer to pass by without cooking it at least once!! Only this time things are not exactly the same... A few small changes and additions happen with this version of Moussaka which, in my opinion, is very tasty but (only because of personal preference) I would go back to basics eventually. In this recipe celery is involved in the meat sauce, as well as oregano and thyme (fresh or dried). A few bits which most people don't use in the moussaka meat sauce as we know it... The flavour changes just enough to notice it but without feeling that "this is not moussakas"... Something different in this version is also the fact that only aubergines are used and no potatoes at all, which is the most common version around the country. Which, on the other hand, it doesn't make it more authentic. Because, as I've said in the past, the original moussaka (according to many connoisseurs) didn't include potatoes in the old days... But, no matter what, this was really a great and very filling meal for the whole family and we enjoyed it to the full! And although (personally) I would go back to the version without the celery and the specific herbs I fully recommend it to you. You can use only ground beef if you prefer or to replace the lamb with ground pork

Spinach sauté with ground meat sauce and paprika-scented yoghurt dip

Something different than the usual Sunday-meal recipes for a change. Nutritious, very tasty and easy to prepare it can be served as it is or along with a rice pilaf or fried potatoes. And who knows, this meal could be a good idea to persuade the children to eat spinach which, usually, is not something they are very fond of...

Bucatini with slowly cooked rich meat sauce scented with mild spices

Who can resist a dish full of tasty pasta poured with a luscious meat sauce on top? Not many people I think and it is one of our favourite dishes at home. We love pasta and I have a special reference to the thick macaroni and I think this recipe tastes always better with such a kind of pasta! Biased? Maybe...:-) This meat sauce is inspired, in a way, from the Italian bolognese (cooked by an excellent cook with roots back to Italy) but at the same time it is fully adjusted to the habits of cooking we follow in Greece when it comes to such kind of recipes. It is a really family-friendly recipe and the type of comfort-food suitable for all seasons!

Baked "Soutzoukakia" balls with light tomato sauce - Comfort food in a light mood!

A healthier and lighter version of "Soutzoukakia", the popular spiced meatballs from the Greeks of Asia Minor! Baked instead of fried and poured with a light tomato sauce it can become a great Sunday meal for the whole family! Best if accompanied by mashed potatoes or a white rice pilaf  or also to be served as an appetizer with the sauce accompanying them

Meatloaf wrapped in puff pastry

A different kind of meatloaf with a great result! A traditional recipe dressed up in a modern way

FESTIVE SEASON 2013-2014: Party mini kebabs served with two delicious dips

If you want to give a nice spicy touch to your parties this Festive season try out these delicious mini kebabs, which of course you can also cook any other time! To plan a buffet dinner for family and friends is not so easy after all... So many ideas in our heads for various dishes we could present but when the time comes the whole thing makes our heads spin... So, it's good to plan ahead and prepare some of the dishes the day before or even a few days before the party. For example today's recipe can be prepared the day before and kept in the fridge until cooking time. As for the dips, they can be easily prepared just a while before serving

MEAT WEEK 1: Yiouvarlakia meatballs "à la Polita"

This is another version of the classic "yiouvarlakia" dish and from its name we can figure that this recipe is a legacy of the Greeks of Asia Minor. I didn't used to be a big fan of this dish when I was younger and from what I've heard not many kids of that age were anyway! Since then, though, my taste for various foods have changed and now I can really appreciate them for what they really are, just delicious! This version of "yiouvarlakia" is rather heavier than the classic one because of the frying of the meatballs but definitely they are tastier! Beside the obvious, the feta cheese and some fresh bread that is, they can also be accompanied by thick Greek yoghurt. Add a few dollops of it on your plate and you'll see how even more interesting the flavour can be

Baked aubergine rolls stuffed with ground meat

A delicious and not complicated dish to make for a Sunday meal. The aubergines are still in season and they are such a delicious and versatile vegetable since they can be cooked in so many different ways

Greek biftekia stuffed with peppers and cheese baked with potato slices and garnished with bacon

Another delicious version of the Greek-style burgers to enjoy with the family any day of the week! The pork meat keeps them moist and fluffy and the filling of the green peppers and the cheese gives them extra flavour. Some crunchy chopped bacon on top makes them even more luscious! The original recipe asks for fresh (sour) Myzithra cheese but you can replace it with goat's cheese, Manouri or Feta cheese. Just be careful with the seasoning though because feta can be quite salty sometimes

Summertime meatloaf stuffed with Florina sweet red peppers and Feta cheese

A delicious version of meatloaf, fully in the Greek style! An ideal dish for the Summer months. Serve it with your favourite homemade tomato sauce (a bit spicy would be great) along with fried or oven baked potatoes and a nice green salad

Mum's classic recipe for ground meat sauce

This classic ground meat recipe from the Greek cuisine is, in a way, the equivalent of the Italian "bolognese" sauce. There are of course differences between them, as you will see, but the principle is the same. More or less everybody follows the same technique and ingredients with minor differences here and there, mainly regarding the spices or the herbs used in the recipe. This is a rather simplified version of the recipe which my mother follows for years, as her mother did before her. I follow the same recipe but often I enrich the sauce adding mild spices like ground cinnamon and/or allspice to give an extra flavour and a couple of bay leaves. The sauce can be used in so many different recipes, it's not only meant to top your pasta dishes with it. In Greece we use it to fill various vegetables, like aubergines, tomatoes and peppers with it, the same goes for the Moussaka and Pastitsio dishes of course where the meat sauce is one of the main ingredients. Not to mention that when there are any leftovers, another day you can create a whole new dish using up the meat sauce as a base for omelettes, rice pilaf, in various tarts and pies, even in sandwiches for a different version of the luscious "Sloppy Joe" sandwich. So, it is not only a delicious recipe but also very practical so don't hesitate to cook a large quantity and freeze it accordingly

Courgettes stuffed with ground meat and rice in egg/lemon sauce

They need a bit of preparation but they are a one pot meal. A classic Greek recipe during the Summer months. A really delicious and filling dish to enjoy now that the courgettes are in season

Mixed chicken and turkey biftekia (Greek burgers) with thyme and ginger

Lighter in calories but still very tasty Greek-style burgers, nicely herbed and spiced! Enjoy them as a main meal (like the Greeks usually do) along with a salad and fries or as classic burgers in a bun with the trimmings of your choice

Winter Moussakas with pleurotus

A different version of Moussaka to enjoy during the Winter months. Instead of aubergines, potatoes and courgettes the delicious and meaty pleurotus mushrooms are used for a special flavour and, like most of the time, a luscious and rich béchamel sauce on top!

Meatloaf with mushrooms stuffing served with mustard sauce

Juicy, fragrant and very luscious meatloaf for a family gathering or any special occasion! Don't hesitate to try out this recipe for something totally different than the classic meat loaf!

Spicy meatballs in tomato and orange flavoured sauce

Another delicious version to cook Greek meatballs and enjoy a really hearty meal with family and friends! They are so versatile and they can be served with a wide variety of side dishes. Mashed or fried potatoes, pasta, rice pilaf or even roasted vegetables are a few great ideas

Festive moussakas with pumpkin, ground turkey and chestnuts

The "classic", "traditional", "old fashioned" - you name it - popular Greek dish dressed up in Winter flavours and with a special, rather gourmet, final touch on top!! A modern version of the delicious dish which can be served during the festive period but of course any other time during the Winter months

Three-meat Biftekia (Greek burgers)

To have them with fluffy buns as classic burgers or in the way we usually do in Greece next to fries or oven potatoes and a crispy salad these delicious and very meaty "Biftekia" can become one of your favourite recipes! Very tasty, fragrant and lightly spiced, these burgers won't disappoint you