Desserts

In some countries they call them potato chips and in others, French fries, fries or finger chips.  In Greece, we call them “Patates Tiganites” (pr. pah-TAH-tess Tee-ghah-nee-TESS).

Octopus in Greek Htapodi (χταπόδι), pronounced Hta-POH-dhi, is a Greek word. “Okto” meaning eight and “pous” is the ancient word for foot. Having eight feet (tentacles).

Moussakas (pr. mouh-sah-KHAS), is a casserole of layered sautéed slices of potatoes and eggplants (in some places they also add zucchini and tomatoes), with the meat sauce (either pork or veal) in the middle layer and topped with a lush layer of béchamel sauce and myzithra or graviera cheese, baked in the oven.

Béchamel Sauce, is a White Sauce, made with all-purpose flour, butter (or olive oil) and milk.  The Greek version also includes eggs and cheese.

This phyllo is simplified way of making dough similar to puff pastry, although it does not puff so much. However, by making it with layers of butter between each phyllo, when baked each phyllo will separate from the other and become flaky, buttery and crunchy.

Fakes moutzentra is a lentil recipe we make in Cyprus and is a high protein, balanced healthy food, especially with the combination of rice.

Rice Pilaf (Rizi Pilafi), is one of the easiest side dishes, made with long grain white rice and stock.  It takes about 10 – 20 minutes to cook and it a great side dish to any meat dish with a red or white sauce.

Avgolemono, from the words avgo = egg and lemoni = lemon, is a Greek sauce made with eggs, lemons and stock from the food we are cooking. It takes a little practice to learn How to make Avgolemono sauce, but it’s not diffficult at all if you follow my instructions.

In Greece, okra are usually cooked “laderes” which is today’s vegan dish cooked with olive oil, in a tomato sauce.  However, I have also cooked them with sundried tomatoes as well and they are very delicious.

Every Greek family has a Kotopoulo Lemonato recipe.  Kotopoulo means chicken and lemonato, which means lemony, is the method the dish is cooked with lemon and usually with oregano.