Ampelofassoula are the fresh green green beans (Vigna unguiculata) also known as cow peas, also called louvi in Cyprus. These beans are eaten before they mature,usually boiled and eaten as a salad with olive oil and lemon juice. When they ripen the seeds are dried become the well known black eyed peas.
Nistisima (Lenten)
Revithia giahni sti gastra is a vegan dish with stewed chickpeas, traditionally cooked in a clay pot and baked in a wood burning oven. However, not all of us have wood burning ovens or clay pots but we can still cook it in a Dutch oven or any casserole dish in our home oven. If you don’t have any of the above, use a baking tin which cover with an aluminium tent.
Gemista (pronounced as yeh-mee-STAH), are Greek stuffed tomatoes and peppers filled with rice and herbs, baked with potatoes, in a tomato sauce.
Revithokeftedes me Garides are Chickpea Patties with Shrimps. During Greek Orthodox fasting period seafood is allowed to be eaten, so I decided to incorporate some shrimps in the patties.
Shrimp Saganaki is an appetizer made with shrimps and tomato sauce. Saganaki takes its name from a frying pan with two handles called “sagani”.
Guacamole is a popular Mexican dip made from mashed avocado mixed with various ingredients such as onion, tomato, garlic, and lime juice. It is often enjoyed as a healthy and flavorful addition to many dishes.
These Honey, Peanut butter, Chocolate and Pastelli Cookies are nistisima (Lenten) made with peanut butter, honey, sunflower oil, dark sugar and flour. After making the dough, I made three different kinds by adding chocolate and two types of pastelli in them.
This Vegan Chocolate and Chestnut Cream Cake not only tastes great but is perfect when you cannot eat any dairy or eggs!
Kalamaria (pr. kah-lah-MAHR-ghia), is a very popular dish in Greece and Cyprus, especially during Lent when seafood is allowed to be eaten.
Although we can eat all sorts of delicious food during Lent I find it difficult to cook dried legumes or just vegetables on Sundays as Ι have always connected Sunday cooking with meat dishes.
This vegan moussakas (nistisimos) is as delicious as the real one. It is layered with eggplants, potatoes and zucchini, with a vegan vegetable filling and a delicious vegan faux bechamel sauce.