Feta tiganiti - Pan Fried Feta Cheese

It is really important that you use a good quality feta cheese for this recipe. I used the best: Feta Tripoleos, which is authentic Greek feta cheese from the southern Greek city of Tripolis. This particular feta is stored in wooden barrels and not tins or plastics. Some of the finer cheese shops will stock this variety and I highly recommend it.

Aginares Latheres: Artichokes with Vegetables

In Greek: αγκινάρες λαδερές, pronounded ahg-kee-NAH-rehs lah-theh-RES

Artichokes are a favorite of the Greek cuisine and they grow in many different parts of the country. The combination of artichokes with dill and lemon is a classic, and the added vegetables make a favorite stew. If artichokes are not in season, frozen artichoke hearts can be substituted (make sure there are no additives like salt); defrost before using.
Cook Time: 1 hour

Soufle Kounoupithiou: 3-Cheese Baked Cauliflower

In Greek: σουφλέ κουνουπιδιού, pronounce soo-FLAY koo-noo-peeth-YOU

This recipes calls for cauliflower, milk, cheeses, eggs, and spices. A fabulous way to serve cauliflower (it can also be made with broccoli), and a pretty dish as well.

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Traditional Eggnog

Everyone loves eggnog, but not everyone has been lucky enough to have had a super-dooper eggnog recipe handed down to them from their family or friends. We’ve been given some fantastic ones from MaryAlice family (from Boston), and have also happened upon various delicious eggnog recipes over the years.

In fact, I get so many people asking me for eggnog, that I decided to share them with everyone. Lucky you! Now you, too, can make the tastiest eggnog – and not just at Christmas! Let me know how you go, and feel free to send me in any of your own tried and tested recipes. Enjoy! Ho ho ho…

Keik me Karota: Carrot Cake

In Greek: κεϊκ με καρότα, say: cake meh kah-ROH-tah

Western style cakes have been popular in Greece since the mid-20th century, but in Cyprus for ever due to the British that live there and this version of carrot cake with walnuts is delicious ... but different than most carrot cakes that have become popular in the US. It's a Canadian Version of it! The frosting is optional. But it's delicious!

The key to fabulous texture is in beating the sugar and eggs to a mousse-like consistency.

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Melomakarona: Honey & Spice Cookies

This is a great recipe of my Grandmother Despina!!!!

In Greek: μελομακάρονα (pronounced meh-lo-mah-KAH-ro-nah)

These honey-soaked cookies are a Christmas tradition all over Greece.

The recipe is very forgiving except in two areas: the dough should not be overworked or the cookies will become too dense; and the shape should be rounded, not flat or they will harden during baking. The baked cookies should have a texture slightly more dense than spice cake in order to absorb the syrup.

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Loukoumathes: Honey Puffs

In Greek: λουκουμάδες, pronounced loo-koo-MAH-thes

In many areas of Greece, Loukoumathes (also loukoumades) are a New Year's Eve tradition, and they are also made to celebrate the name day of St. Barbara (December 4). The Greek Jewish community also includes these small honeyed puffs at Hanukkah.

This recipe for loukoumathes calls for milk and a hefty helping of baking powder to create these small light fried balls of dough that are drizzled with honey and sprinkled with nuts.

Cook Time: 20 minutes