Brining a turkey makes it moistier. You can either brine it in a water solution with salt, water, sugar and spices or dry brine it.
Christmas
Amygdalota, take their name from amygdala, which mean almonds in Greek and are no bake Greek cookies from the Greek islands made with blanched almonds and sugar. They are dipped in rose water and then coated with icing (confectioners’) sugar.
These Kourabiedes by Parliaros are Greek Christmas cookies, similar to shortbread cookies which are flavoured with real vanilla pod, filled with toasted almonds and pistachios and when baked they are coated in icing sugar.
These Bitter Chocolate spiced carob cookies were made with bitter chocolate, carob syrup and ginger. They have a chocolatey taste due to the chocolate but also due to the carob syrup.
This Pork tenderloin recipe is one of my favourites because it is filled with sauteed spinach, halloumi and bacon.
Lahanosalata, is a festive, creamy Coleslaw salad, made with cabbage, celery, onion, pomegranate, nuts and raisins and dressed with a delicious mayonnaise salad dressing.
Diples (pronounced diip-LESS), which means folded, is another traditional Christmas sweet pastry, made in many parts of Greece especially in the Peloponnese. These are the desserts they serve at weddings, christenings, engagements etc. but are also very popular during Christmas.
Vassilopita is a traditional Greek cake or bread with a coin inside, named after St. Basil, which is made for New Year’s Day. Vassilopita is made in two ways. One is a sweet kind of brioche bread called “tsoureki” and the other an orange flavoured cake.
Galopoula Gemisti, is the Cypriot stuffed roasted turkey which is filled with finely chopped chicken giblets, rice, almonds and raisins.
Royal icing or frosting is a type of dessert icing which dries to a hard, glossy finish. It will be solid white when dry, unless it is coloured. This simple icing can be used for cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and a range of other baked goods.