Saganaki

Saganaki is a highly popular Greek appetizer where various vegetables, meats, or seafood such as shrimp or mussels are wrapped in cheese, then pan-fried or seared. The cheese can also be prepared on its own, without any accompaniments.   It is then pan-seared until it develops its distinctive golden crust, and served in the so-called sagani, a small, two-handled …

Melomakarona

Though they are thought to have originated in ancient Phoenicia, melomakaronas are nowadays a typical Greek Christmas treat. These delicious semolina cookies are traditionally flavored with honey, orange zest, cinnamon and other spices, olive oil, and cognac. Immediately after baking, melomakarona cookies are doused in honey syrup, then sprinkled with ground walnuts. Although some argue that another Greek …

Sunshine tiramisu

Ingredients 2 medium eggs separated 50g caster sugar 250g tub mascarpone 150ml pot double cream 125ml marsala wine 175g pack sponge finger 400g mix of nectarines and peach stoned and diced 50g crunchy amaretti biscuit Method step 1 Use an electric whisk to beat the egg yolks with half the sugar until the mixture is …

Black Forest pudding

Ingredients sunflower oil for greasing 300g blackberry 300g dark cherry halved and stoned, or quartered if large 200g small black seedless grape 140g golden caster sugar 200g blackcurrant 200g blueberry 4 tbsp crème de cassis 400g medium-sliced white bread clotted or single cream to serve (optional) Method step 1 Brush a 1.5-litre pudding basin with …

Jersey Royals, courgette & goat’s cheese tart

1 tbsp olive oil ½ tsp fennel seeds 1 garlic clove finely chopped 2 courgettes halved lengthways then sliced on the diagonal 3 spring onions chopped into matchsticks ¼ fennel bulb thinly sliced, fronds reserved 1 lemon zested and juiced handful watercress 1 tbsp each chopped basil parsley, tarragon and mint, plus extra to serve …

Medal cookies

Ingredients 140g butter 100g light soft brown sugar 3 tbsp golden syrup ½ tsp vanilla extract 350g plain flour plus extra for dusting 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 large egg To decorate 1kg pack ready-to-roll icing icing sugar food colouring paste, edible glitter and icing pens (optional) 15 long colourful ribbons Method step 1 …

Tiropita

Tiropita is a popular Greek snack consisting of sheets of phyllo dough that are filled with a combination of cheese (usually feta) and eggs. The dish is typically wrapped in triangular pieces and brushed with melted butter before baking. This tasty pastry is found in almost every Greek bakery, although it is commonly served as …

Païdakia

Grilled lamb chops are a traditional Greek dish that is popular throughout the country and usually enjoyed as the main course. Lamb chops are usually marinated in various combinations of olive oil, lemon juice, and a variety of fresh herbs before they are grilled on traditional charcoal barbecues. They are commonly paired with potatoes, salads, …