This traditional Greek lentil soup is simple in ingredients and preparation, but results in a dish that is packed with flavors. Characterized by its dense texture, next to brown or green lentils, the soup often incorporates onions, garlic, carrots, and occasionally puréed tomatoes. Always served warm and sometimes topped with olive oil and vinegar, fakes …
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Keftedakia
Flavorful, fluffy, and tender, keftedakia are Greek meatballs made from a combination of ground pork and beef, eggs, stale bread or breadcrumbs, and seasonings such as dill, pepper, parsley, and oregano. The mixture is shaped into small balls which are then fried in olive oil. Their round shape makes them ideal for popular Greek picnics …
Apáki
Apáki is a Cretan delicacy that is typically prepared with cured pork loin which is smoked using a combination of wood and various herbs such as oregano, marjoram, thyme, or sage. It is believed that this way of preparation hails from Byzantine times, when people used it in order to preserve meat for longer periods. …
Tsoureki
Tsoureki is a traditional Easter bread characterized by its braided shape, which can be either circular or elongated like a loaf. Tradition says that tsoureki should be braided in three strands – one for each aspect of the Trinity. The bread is usually made with milk, eggs, butter, and flavorings such as mahleb, orange zest, …
Taramasalata
Taramasalata is a Greek and Turkish specialty dish consisting of mashed potatoes or bread (or sometimes breadcrumbs) combined with lemon juice, olive oil, and fish roe, usually from cod, carp, or mullet. The dip is usually served as an appetizer or a meze dish. In Greece, taramasalata is traditionally consumed on Clean Monday, which is the …
Garden vegetable & goat’s cheese quiche
Ingredients 1 deep 24cm blind-baked pastry case Filling 40g butter 85g courgettes (baby or regular), sliced at an angle 85g runner beans stringed, halved lengthways and sliced 85g fresh or frozen peas 3 continental salad onions stems chopped and bulbs quartered 300ml milk 25g plain flour 2 large eggs 110g log full-fat soft goat’s cheese …
Cinnamon crêpes with nut butter, sliced banana & raspberries
Ingredients 75g gluten-free brown bread flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 medium egg 225ml semi-skimmed milk 1 tsp rapeseed oil for frying 2 tbsp almond nut butter (make your own with recipe in ‘goes well with’, right) 1 banana sliced 140g raspberries lemon wedges Method step 1 Tip the flour into a large mixing bowl …
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Strawberry rose Eton mess
Ingredients 8 shop-bought meringue nests 600ml pot double cream 2-4 tbsp rosewater or to taste (it varies in strength so taste as you go) 500g strawberries hulled and quartered rose petals (from the garden, not the florist), to serve (optional) Method step 1 In a large bowl, break up the meringues into bite-size pieces. step …
Eton mess cheesecake
Ingredients 100g butter plus extra for the tin 200g digestive biscuits 375g mascarpone 420g full-fat cream cheese 150g icing sugar plus 2 tbsp for the strawberries 1 vanilla pod seeds scraped, pod reserved 225ml double cream 600g strawberries hulled, larger ones cut in half 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 10 shop-bought mini meringues edible flowers to …
Quick pickled green beans
Ingredients 450g green beans 4 shallots finely sliced 1 ½ tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp red wine vinegar 1 ½ tbsp golden caster sugar 1 tbsp white or yellow mustard seeds Method step 1 Cook the beans in boiling, salted water until they’ve lost their ‘squeakiness’ but still have a bit of bite. Drain, plunge …
Rosemary roast chicken thighs, new potatoes, asparagus & garlic
Ingredients 750g new potato (preferably Jersey Royals), halved 2 large bunches asparagus woody ends discarded 1 whole garlic bulb, cloves separated 1 tbsp olive oil 1 lemon halved small handful rosemary sprigs 8 chicken thighs Method step 1 Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the potatoes, asparagus, garlic cloves, oil and lots of seasoning …
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Prawn salad with spinach & avocado
Ingredients 1 chilli (use a bird’s-eye if you like it hot) 1 garlic clove finely chopped finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp sesame oil 200g large peeled cooked prawns 140g young spinach leaves, washed and dried 2 avocados Method step 1 Finely chop the chilli, removing the …
Pink lemonade
Ingredients 300g caster sugar 1½ lemons sliced 1 orange sliced 3 x 170g/6oz punnets raspberries ice and fresh mint to serve (optional) Method step 1 Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan and pour over 350ml cold water. Bring to the boil, stirring often, then leave to cool. Pour through a sieve, pressing down …
Minted potato salad
Ingredients 1kg small new potato 1 garlic clove crushed 200ml natural yogurt 1 tsp white wine vinegar 1 tsp caster sugar 3 spring onions finely sliced large handful mint leaves, roughly torn Method step 1 Boil the potatoes for 15 mins or until, tender, then drain and cool. Stir together the garlic, yogurt, vinegar and …
Spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce
Ingredients 200g spaghetti or linguine 1 red chilli deseeded and finely chopped 2 shallots finely chopped 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil zest 1 lemon 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 2 tsp caster sugar 300g tomato diced 125g ball mozzarella or burrata (see tip, below), torn into pieces handful basil leaves torn, to serve Method …
