Greek Orthodox Easter is just around the corner, so if you would like to get an idea of what to prepare, I have put together some of my Easter Recipes and a few ideas of what to do with your leftovers.
On Easter day a lot of people celebrate their name days: Lambros – Lambrini, Anastasios – Anastasia, Tasoula, Tasia, Paschalis – Paschalia, Anestis or whatever their pet names may be.
Depending on what date the Easter day falls, it may also coincide with other name days.
George, Georgia and Zoe will also be celebrating after Easter.
This happens whenever Easter is after the 23rd April, (the celebration of the feast of St. George), the name day is moved to the first Monday after Easter or, as it is sometimes called, to the Monday of Bright Week.
The feast of Zoodochou Pigis (Life-giving Source) is usually celebrated on the first Friday after Easter.
Happy Name day to you all!
Easter celebrations
The first thing we eat after the midnight church service is an offal soup called Magiritsa (pr. mah-ghee-RHEE-tsa). It is a light soup which is good for the stomach after the fasting period.
On Easter Sunday most families gather together to celebrate. Traditionally a whole lamb on the spit, called “ovelias” is made as well as “kokoretsi“.
They are accompanied by salads and appetizers, drinks and of course lots of Greek music.
Here are some of my Easter Recipes for you to try.
I have also included some desserts in the list, for those who will be celebrating their name days.
Greek Easter Recipes and more
Here are some of my Easter Recipes and a few ideas of what to do with your leftovers. I have also included some cakes for those celebrating.
Easter Whole Lamb Roasted on the Spit and Cypriot Souvla
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. Nowadays, the word “ovelias†means a whole lamb cooked for Easter on the spit.
Delicious Greek Stuffed Goat (or Lamb)
This delicious Greek stuffed Goat or Lamb is a traditional recipe filled with liver and rice, served during Easter or Christmas.
Magiritsa
Magiritsa is the Greek soup, made from lamb offal, lettuce and avgolemono sauce and the first meal served after the 40 days fasting of Lent.
Kokoretsi
Kokoretsi is a traditional Greek dish made mainly, but not only, during Easter, consisting mainly of seasoned pieces of lamb or goat offal (sweetbread, hearts, lungs, or kidneys), skewered on a spit and wrapped with lamb or goat caul fat and intestines and grilled together with the lamb.
Psito (Roasted Lamb or Goat meat)
Arni Psito pronounciation “ar-KNEE psee-TOH†is roasted meat cooked in the oven.  It could be made with lamb or goat and it is the perfect Sunday meal.
Goat or Lamb liver with whiskey and herbsÂ
It is not usual here in Greece when buying baby goat or lamb you have to buy the organs and sometimes the head, as well.Â
Sheftalia
Sheftali pl. Sheftalia are Cypriot oval shaped crépinettes, made with minced pork, herbs and spices which are then wrapped in caul fat and barbecued.
Tourkakia (grilled offal)
Tourkakia is one of the traditional delicacies we first ate in Sparta. Fragrant offal from goat or lamb wrapped in caul fat and grill over charcoal.
Bogana (Greek Roasted Leg of Lamb with Tomatoes)
Bogana is a traditional holiday dish from Argolida, with Leg of Lamb, roasted with whole baby potatoes and tomatoes. What makes it different and more delicious from other roasted lamb is the addition of ewe's and goat milk butter which gives its wonderful taste.
Roasted Lamb or Pork stuffed and wrapped in vine leaves
This Greek roasted pork is a twist to a classic dish made with lamb, which is perfect for any festive occasion.
Greek Keftedes (Meat Balls)
The Greek meatballs are made with stale breadcrumbs. Some prefer to soak the bread in water and others in milk. Usually ground beef is added and oregano and mint are added for flavour.
Patates Lemonates (Lemony Greek roasted Potatoes) my way
Patates Lemonates my way, are Greek Lemony Potatoes, which is a twist to the classic Greek side dish of roasted potatoes, with a sweet and sour taste. These Greek Lemon Potatoes are crispy from the outside and juicy from the inside with just the right amount of lemon flavors.
Flaounes (Cypriot Easter Cheese filled Bread)
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, Â flavoured with Masticha (mastic resin), mahlepi (mahleb) and mint.
Salads and Appetizers
A few ideas to make salads and appetizers for Easter
How to make real Greek Tzatziki or Talatouri
Tzatziki is a traditional Greek appetizer, made with Greek strained yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, salt, vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, usually served as a meze dish.
Dakos Salad
Dakos is a Cretan salad made with barley rusk, finely chopped tomato, capers and olives, topped with Xinomyzithra (a local Cretan cheese).
Dakos Savoury Greek Cheesecake
A savoury cheesecake I made during Christmas, based on the Greek Cretan recipe for Dakos.
Cypriot pita bread
Cypriot pitta bread are much different to the Greek pitas. They are flatbread like the other pita but are different in shape and in taste.
How to make Greek Pita Chips
These baked Greek pita chips make a lovely accompaniment to any dip or spread or served with a topping instead of making bruschetta!
Taramosalata
Taramosalata, is a wonderful Greek dip made with red or white fish roe of the cod or carp fish, served as an appetizer.
Tyrokafteri
Tyrokafteri, which is a Greek cheese dip, is made with roasted hot green peppers and feta. It is perfect as an appetizer on bread, pita chips or crackers.
Melitzanosalata or Eggplant salad
Melitzanosalata is a traditional Greek dip / appetizer made with eggplants which have been charred over charcoal or over an open flame, until the skin blisters, to get a smoky taste.  The skin is then removed, as well as the seeds, if any, and the eggplant is either finely chopped, mashed with a fork or pureed.
Crispy Phyllo Wrapped Feta
Crispy Phyllo wrapped feta is a delicious Greek appetizer made with feta wrapped in phyllo, fried and served as it is for a vegetarian appetizer or with honey and sesame seeds.
Tyropitari
Tyropitari pronounced Tee-rho-pee-TAH-ree, is a homemade Greek pastry filled with feta cheese and deep fried, which is served as an appetizer.
Greek-style Feta and Graviera Quiche with Bacon
Quiche, pronounced keesh, is a French, savoury open tart consisting of pastry crust, filled with eggs, milk or cream, and cheese, meat, seafood or vegetables.  Discover a new twist I made to this French favourite with Greek cheeses.
Tyropitakia (Cheese Triangles with Feta)
These tasty cheese-filled triangles are finger foods which can be served as appetizers, mezedes, side dishes, and snacks.
Easter Leftovers
A few ideas to make with your Easter Leftovers
Classic Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a classic recipe and perfect to make good use of your leftover Easter eggs, to serve as an appetizer for parties and other gatherings.
Spring Lettuce and Egg Salad
Have leftover Easter eggs? Make this amazing salad with all the wonderful produce spring brings!
Greek Potato Salad with Mayonnaise
An easy and delicious Greek Potato salad made with mayonnaise, extra virgin olive oil and Greek yoghurt. It is perfect to accompany you meat dishes, served as a light dinner or even add it in your sandwiches.
Arniopita (Greek Lamb Pie)
Arniopita is a Greek Lamb Pie I made with yeasted dough, filled with leftover roasted lamb with potatoes, corn and thickened with a bechamel sauce.
Lamb Exohiko
Lamb Exohiko (country style) is a dish which comes from Roumeli, usually made using leftover lamb, vegetables and cheese, wrapped in a parcel and baked. It can be wrapped in parchment paper or phyllo.
Deconstructed and Healthier Braided Piroskis (Pirozhkis)
Pirozhki or piroshki or Piroski (as we call them in Greece, with stress on the last syllable), are made from yeast dough and filled with a variety of fillings and are great for snacks, appetizers, lunch or dinner.
Cottage Pie with Leftover lamb or ground Veal
Cottage Pie or Shepherd's Pie is a delicious English traditional pie, the first made with ground beef or other ground meats, whereas the second is made with ground lamb,
Lamb Pie and Lamb Gyros with Leftovers
Everybody loves a good lamb pie wrapped in puff pastry and this one is made with leftover lamb on the spit, a few days after Easter with the addition of leeks, spring onions, dill and graviera cheese, which is just delicious!
Traditional Greek desserts
Here are a few of the most popular Greek desserts
Galaktoboureko (Greek semolina Pudding wrapped in phyllo)
Galaktoboureko is a traditional Greek dessert made with a custard in a crispy phyllo pastry shell.
No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Biscuit Fridge Cake
This No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Biscuit Fridge Cake is easy to make and delicious. It is made using three layers of Petit Beurre biscuits, dark chocolate pastry cream, chocolate ganache and hazelnuts.
All you need to know about Greek Baklavas
Traditional Greek Baklavas (pronounced Mpah-klah-VHASS), is a delicious traditional dessert made of layers of crispy golden brown phyllo, filled with chopped nuts and bathed into scented honey syrup!
Lemon Ekmek Kataifi
A twist to the classic Ekmek Kataifi, with lemon curd. This Lemon Ekmek is smooth, thick and creamy, with a light lemon flavour in the pastry cream.
Kantaifi
Kantaifi (pronounced Ka-ta-ee-fi), is a pastry made with a special form of shredded phyllo dough which looks like angel pasta. It is used to make a delicious dessert called kantaifi, which encloses a filling with chopped almonds or walnuts (and sometimes other nuts), scented with rose water, ground cloves and cinnamon. When baked it is then drenched in an aromatic syrup.
Easter Desserts
Tsourekia and Koulourakia are the most traditional Greek Orthodox Easter desserts, made especially for this occasion.
Tsoureki with 6 cords
Tsoureki is a sweet brioch type of bread made during Easter. In the video you can watch a new technique of braiding tsoureki with six cords.
Tsoureki Flower filled with Praline
Tsoureki flower is a type of Greek style sweet brioche bread made during Easter but shaped into a flower. Â
Tsourekia with Chestnut filling
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.
Braided Savory Cheese Tsoureki
This braided Savory cheese tsoureki is made with tsoureki dough and a filling made with cheese, eggs and mint.
Tsoureki Pudding and Other Bread Puddings
Bread Pudding is an old fashioned dessert which is made in many countries which had an English influence.
Koulourakia Paschalina (Greek Easter Cookies)
Koulourakia Paschalina are Greek Easter Traditional Cookies, which are crispy outside and soft inside, full of orange flavour.
Traditional Lambriatika Koulourakia (Greek Easter Cookies)
Traditional Lambriatika Koulourakia (also called Paschalina Koulourakia), are Greek Easter butter cookies, which are traditionally made only during Easter and have a distinct flavour as baking ammonia is used as the leavening agent.
Cakes for Special Occasions
Here are some special cakes to celebrate your name day!
Twix Banoffee Cheesecake with Greek Yoghurt and Caramelized Bananas
This Twix Banoffee Cheesecake is made from fresh and caramelized bananas, cream and toffee (made from boiled condensed milk, or dulce de leche), combined on a buttery biscuit base and decorated with Twix Chocolates and dulce de leche sauce.
Toblerone Cake with Cream Cheese and White Chocolate
This amazing Toblerone Cake was made with a sponge cake and the filling and decorations are are made with cream cheese and rich Toblerone frosting.
Strawberry Cake with White Chocolate Leafs and Cream Cheese frosting
Looking for a different Strawberry Cake? Â This tutorial which teach you to make a vanilla sponge made from scratch decorated with whipped cream and white chocolate leafs? Â How does that sound?
Luscious Bounty Cake
Bountry Cake is a luscious cake which mimics the chocolate bars as it is filled with coconut cream and topped with chocolate!
Strawberry Chocolate Cake with 3 Greek Ingredients
An impressive strawberry chocolate coffee celebration cake for any occasion. It is made with a simple sponge, filled with chocolate mousse and cooked strawberries, topped with fluffy buttercream frosting and fresh strawberries
Strawberry Red Velvet Cake
An amazing red velvet cake sandwiched with strawberry cream cheese filling and topped with cream cheese frosting.
Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Cake
Ferrero Rocher is a cake made with chocolate sponge, filled with a cream cheese chocolate ferrero rocher filling and topped with chocolate ganache.
Strawberry Bavarian Cream Cake
This Strawberry Bavarian Cream Cake is made with 4 layers sponge Cake, filled with whipped cream, cream cheese and strawberry coulis, topped with a strawberry white chocolate frosting.
Tourta Fraoulita (Strawberry Cake)
Tourta Fraoulita is a 100% homemade Strawberry Cake filled with strawberry yoghurt mousse and topped with strawberry white chocolate frosting, which I made from scratch to celebrate my husband's name day.
Sockerkaka Pomegranate Sponge Cake
Sockerkaka, is an easy and delicious sponge cake that comes from Sweden. It can be eaten as it is or made into a birthday cake.
Salted Caramel Lemon Poppy Pound Cake
A moist, buttery and subtly flavoured lemon sponge, with pastry cream between the layers and topped with salted caramel and whipped cream. Â
Black Forest Cherry and Gooseberry Cake
Blackforest, Foret Noir or Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, as is the original name (literally “Black Forest cherry torteâ€) is one of my favourite cakes.
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!
How To Man Guide
Saturday 27th of April 2013
"Roasted Lamb or Goat" - Now THAT sounds like the perfect Easter dinner! Great suggestions!
PG
Saturday 27th of April 2013
Piroskis are really a lovely idea of using up the easter eggs. what lovely pictures! And you surely deserve the award!
fimère
Saturday 27th of April 2013
de superbe recettes, merci pour le conseil bonne journée
Rosa
Saturday 27th of April 2013
Great ideas! I never throw away leftovers and like you I always re-use them.
Cheers,
Rosa