Greek Easter Recipes and Easter Leftovers

Tsoureki, plural Tsourekia, (pronounced TSOU-rhe-kee), is a slightly sweet Greek bread, similar to brioche, which is braided and made throughout the year. It is also part of our Easter and Christmas traditions.

Ovelias is a Greek Easter tradition where a whole lamb is roasted on the spit.  The word ovelias pronounced Oh-veh-LI-as comes from the ancient Greek word “ovelos” which used to be a wooden or steel rod, where pieces of meat were skewered on and slowly cooked.  Nowdays, the word “ovelias” means a whole lamb cooked for Easter on the spit.

Flaounes pr. flah-OU-ness (singular flaouna) is a traditional Cypriot Easter cheese bread made with an aromatic yeasted phyllo dough, filled with a special Cypriot cheese, called Pafitiko, made during the Easter period especially for flaounes,  flavoured with Masticha (mastic resin), mahlepi (mahleb) and mint.

Koulourakia Paschalina are Greek Easter Traditional Cookies, which are crispy outside and soft inside, full of orange flavour.

Magiritsa is a traditional Greek Easter offal soup which is the first thing served after the midnight mass on Saturday evening.

This is the easiest strawberry jam you can make and it tastes amazing! Strawberries have a short season, so preserve them while they are still in season.

Peinirli, pronounced Paey-Neer-LEE (peynir, Turkish for cheese) is a kind of an open faced pita (or you can even describe it as a pizza shaped gondola) with kasseri cheese, often topped with other ingredients as well. 

Chestnut preserve called Glyko Kastano in Greek is a wonderful winter treat and a perfect gift during Christmas.

Chestnuts, although typically they are usually categorized as nuts, but in fact they are fruit, which are produced by the chestnut tree, (castanea) (called kastana – κάστανα pr. KAH-stah-nah in Greek) , which are native to temperate climates.

Protein is essential for humans. They are a key component of muscle tissue (20-25% of total weight) while performing infinite functions in the body

This Baked or grilled Greek Lemony Calf Liver, is a super easy to make, healthy and delicious. Marinating the organ reduces its intense flavour and makes it very tender.

Spatula Kalambakas is a sponge cake with nuts, which is then moistened with a light syrup and topped with pastry cream, walnuts and cinnamon.

Tsai tou vounou is a Greek aromatic herbal tea whose medicinal properties have been known since antiquity. It can be served hot or cold.

This Banana Cake is very easy to make and the only excuse you need when you want to bake something sweet is “why waste these overripe bananas?”

Karydaki Liqueur is a homemade Greek alcoholic drink made with tender green walnuts which are steeped in alcohol for a certain period of time.

Tiramisu cake is based on the classic Italian dessert. Instead of using lady fingers it is made with a sponge cake, cut into slices and layered with the traditional tiramisu cream cheese filling.