Lenten apple pie with tahini

The fasting period continues for the Greeks and it is nice to see that classic recipes can change into a way that suits everybody! In this case to adjust a classic apple pie so to become a delicacy for the Lent period. A lot of people follow Lent but this doesn't mean they can not enjoy various savoury or sweet recipes that normally are considered "forbidden" when fasting. The tahini gives an extra flavour and a special texture to the home made dough and the rest remain more or less the same as in any other apple pie. Enjoy it with your coffee or as a dessert

Tortiglioni pasta with fried onions, Kasseri cheese and parsley

The motto for this recipe goes like this according to a dear friend "Starch is good for our mood and pasta dishes always speak right to our hearts ... So, instead of feeling guilty about it, just enjoy them with all their calories and a good company..." Besides, I would add, you don't do it every day:-)

Chocolate Tourta with five spices

A delicious chocolate dessert which will spread wide smiles to your guests! In Greece various types of "Tourta" ("Tourtes" in plural and probably the name derives from the Italian word "Torta") is the most common and very popular dessert all year round to serve on special occasions and not only. What we call "Tourta" is the kind of dessert which combines layers of sponge cake ("padespani" or "pantespani" in Greek) and then filled for example with cream and fruits etc and then decorated accordingly. There are cases, though, that no sponge cake is required as a base, like in the recipe I have for you here. Tourtes are the best birthday type of cakes in Greece and they are very different than those in the US or over here in the UK. Saying "Birthday cake" in Greece and you mean "Tourta" in every possible flavour, colour or shape you can imagine! To be honest, and no offence please, I was never really a fan of the birthday cakes they make in the US or the UK... I always find the cake rather dry in texture and the combination of the dried fruits inside and the frosting decoration on the outside... Sorry guys but not my cup of tea... The only exception for me is the Xmas cake and that's all I can handle once a year... Don't hold it against me though... The tourta recipe I'm giving you today will make amends:-))

Spinach and potatoes bake topped with béchamel sauce

This is a nice and tasty type of "au gratin" dish. It needs a bit of preparation but it is worth the trouble and it is always a good way to use up the forgotten spinach in the fridge...

Baked octopus in foil

Simple but super delicious and easy to put together recipe for octopus. It can be served as a meze accompanying the "fava dip/spread" but also as a main meal along with baked potatoes

Tender veal in vegetable sauce, served with penne

A tasty and easy vegetable sauce to cook the veal with. A very filling dish to enjoy any day in the week. If you can't easily find the muhrooms the original recipe demands then substitute with the classic white mushrooms as I did since they are the variety we prefer mostly. You can also divide the quantity between white mushrooms and some dried ones. Don't forget to soak them in warm water for at least half an hour and to use their liquid in the recipe. I find that pasta suits better in this recipe but feel free to serve the meat with mashed potatoes or rice pilaf