Oven-baked spicy sausages & peppers (Spetzofai)

Yiannis’ special…… 500 g spicy sausages (garlic sausages, but plain fresh sausages are also fine) 6 Tablespoons olive oil 3 green and 2 red peppers 1 onion 3 large tomatoes 5 bay leaves pinch of thyme and oregano salt & pepper to taste 1…

Lavender jelly (Levanda gele)

A fresh and light summer dessert 200 ml white, fruity wine, not too dry 3 Tablespoons crème de cassis or blackcurrant syrup 3 Tablespoons sugar 2 Tablespoons freshly-pressed lemon juice 200 ml apple juice 3 Tablespoons fresh lavender flowerlets 4 sheets white gelatin 100…

Chocolate Log (Kormos)

A very easy treat, nice to have on hand. 250 g biscuits such as digestives or plain tea biscuits 250 g butter or margarine 175 g powdered sugar 5 Tablespoons cognac 5 Tablespoons cocoa 100 g walnuts Chop the biscuits and walnuts into small…

Elderberry pie (Tourta samboukas)

The magical elderberry tree, a subject of many myths & legends. It was often planted near farms, where it offered protection against evil spirits & pests. Take some time out for yourself and enjoy this delicious, healthful pie! 200 g flour 150 g butter…

Bulgur salad (Pligouri salata)

Cracked wheat, or bulgur, can be used in many recipes: here in a main or side-dish salad, nourishing, healthy and easy. 200 g bulgur 1 onion, minced 3 tomatoes, chopped fine or 200 g cherry tomatoes, quartered ½ cucumber, peeled and diced 1 cup…

Spaghetti variations

With basil-walnut pesto or pumpkin-seed pesto & Lemon spaghetti and spaghetti with garlic and parsley Basil-walnut pesto 2 bunches fresh basil ⅔ cup walnuts 1 cup grated pecorino or parmesan cheese 6 Tablespoons olive oil salt and pepper In a food processor, pulse the basil,…

Vegetable pie (Horthopitta)

This is one of the best-known dishes of Epirus or Zagoria. The greens (xortha) are often collected in the wild, and it makes a healthy and nutritious meal. Makes one large round pie of 40 cm in diameter or oblong of 35 x 50…

Pepper pickle (Toursi piperies)

Use up some of the abundant sweet peppers at the end of the summer to make this pickle! 1 kg sweet red & green peppers, plus one sharp red pepper for extra bite (opt.) 200 g onions 1 Tablespoon salt 100 g sugar, more…

Quince sweet (Kidonoloukoumia)

A delicious way to preserve quinces and enjoy them the whole winter 2 kg  quinces 2 kg sugar juice of 2 lemons 2 Tablespoons cognac optional: a few bay leaves Rub the downy layer off of the quinces, then wash and dry them.  Chop…