Juicy, elongated Greek meatballs with cumin, dried mint, and a rich tomato sauce scented with warm spices. A much-loved family recipe passed from one generation to the next.The Story Behind the RecipeMy mother taught me this recipe, which she learned from her own mother, my grandmother. My grandmother learned it from her mother, my great-grandmother, who lived through the Asia Minor Catastrophe.This is how my great-grandmother made the…

A spicy, satisfying ramen bowl with ground pork, miso, noodles, and favorite toppings. This quick version brings a flavorful homemade broth to the table without hours of preparation.The Story Behind the RecipeMany ramen recipes take hours to prepare. I wanted my own quick version for the days when I crave a delicious bowl without such a long process.This 30-minute cheat recipe combines the broth and pork with sweetcorn, spring onions, …

Charcoal-grilled chicken wings seasoned with anise, coriander, garlic, and paprika. A simple marinade gives the chicken a different character, with fragrant spices and delicious grilled flavor.The Story Behind the RecipeWhen grilling meat over charcoal, I usually keep things simple with salt. Every now and then, though, I want to try something different.I first came across the idea of anise-flavored wings at a grill shop on Lemnos and …

Juicy charcoal-grilled kebabs with pepper, onion, garlic, and fragrant spices. Thorough kneading helps the mixture hold its shape, while careful grilling keeps the meat flavorful and succulent.The Story Behind the RecipeI love Greek kebabs, but I also enjoy trying different versions. For this recipe I made my own adaptation inspired by Adana kebab, with a few adjustments to the ingredients.The result was so delicious that I immediately…

A simple, much-loved plate of pasta with Greek-style meat sauce. Ground beef simmers with tomatoes, wine and warm spices until the sauce comes together. Serve as much pasta as you like and spoon the meat sauce over the top.The Story Behind the RecipeThis recipe is based on my mum’s pasta with meat sauce, with a few changes of my own. One of them is garlic. She didn’t use it in hers, but I like to add it.Sometimes I also use a little so…

Roasted chicken frames, vegetables, and aromatics create a flavorful stock for soups, sauces, pasta, and everyday cooking. Making it without added salt gives you more flexibility when seasoning the finished dish.The Story Behind the RecipeI use stock frequently, so I wanted to make my own instead of always relying on ready-made products.The biggest advantage for me is controlling the salt. With a salted stock, adding more for a deeper …

Crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and full of aroma. These potatoes are boiled first, then roasted with infused olive oil until they develop a delicious golden crust.The Story Behind the RecipeI wanted potatoes that delivered the enjoyment of fries using the oven. I had already made a very simple version, but I wanted to improve it further.After some experimenting and adjustments, I reached this result. The initial boil, aromat…

Tender baked eggplant slices topped with a rich mixture of vegetables, tomatoes, and parsley. This version keeps the familiar flavors of imam bayildi while changing the balance between eggplant and filling.The Story Behind the RecipeImam bayildi is a much-loved dish in Greek cooking with Eastern influences. Although I really enjoy it, a large portion of eggplant can sometimes feel a little too rich for me.That is why I make this versio…

Chicken cooks with whole peeled garlic cloves, cognac, white wine and thyme. The garlic softens during cooking and gives the sauce a rich, aromatic flavor.The Story Behind the RecipeI found this recipe in a book featuring cuisines from around the world. Out of curiosity, I turned to the French recipes, and chicken with that much garlic immediately caught my attention. The idea seemed so outrageous that I had to try it.There are version…

Pork neck chops are browned in olive oil, then gently cooked with pale beer, onion, garlic and oregano. Thicken the sauce at the end to your preferred consistency.The Story Behind the RecipeI had heard about pork skillet dishes made with beer and had tried beer marinades myself, but I wanted to use it in a pan cooked dish too.One day I had pork neck chops and beer at home. Instead of cooking the chops in my usual quick way, I decided t…

Creamy Greek fava cooks with grated carrot and onion, thyme and bay leaves. Raw onion, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground pepper bring freshness and contrast to the finished dish.The Story Behind the RecipeWe always made fava at home, and I loved the way my parents prepared it. I was a little picky about legumes when I was younger, but fava was one of the first I could happily eat, mainly because of its texture. As …

The same creamy fava with carrot, onion, thyme and bay leaves takes on a different character with caramelized onions and cherry tomatoes. Add as much topping as you like.The Story Behind the RecipeWe always made fava at home, and I loved the way my parents prepared it. I was a little picky about legumes when I was younger, but fava was one of the first I could happily eat, mainly because of its texture. As I grew older, I came to appre…

Boil the plums, remove their skins and stones, then return the pulp to the original cooking liquid. Add sugar to taste, depending on how sweet or tart the fruit is.The story behind the recipeWe have a vanilla plum tree in our garden that produces plenty of fruit every summer. My father has been making this jam for years, always in large batches. We would fill around twelve 900 g (about 32 oz) jars at a time and share them with friends …

These oven baked anchovies are made with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. A little water in the pan helps keep them moist, while oregano is added as soon as they come out of the oven.The Story Behind the RecipeThis is a very easy anchovy recipe my father always made when we wanted something tasty and quick. A few ingredients, lemon and olive oil, and a short bake in a hot oven are all it takes for a simple, flavorful dish.Technique an…

Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese cabbage pancake with a filling you can adjust to your taste. This version uses cooked pork belly, spring onion, and finely chopped fresh ginger, finished with homemade sauce and mayonnaise.The Story Behind the RecipeWhen I made it, I honestly did not expect to enjoy it so much. It turned out delicious, and the video shows both the pancakes and their easy homemade sauce.Technique and Flavor BalanceKeep t…

Charcoal grilled sardines need only a few ingredients and a few minutes on the grill. Lemon, olive oil, salt, and oregano complement the flavor of the fish.The Story Behind the RecipeIn the video, I make another summer meze, this time with sardines over charcoal. The cooking is quick once the fire is ready.Technique and Flavor BalanceMix lemon juice and olive oil by eye and brush the sardines during cooking. Allow about 6 minutes in to…

Turmeric, cumin, ground coriander, and garam masala give these chicken legs a bold aroma and an Indian inspired flavor. Add a little chili powder if you want more heat.The Story Behind the RecipeOn busy days, these simple recipes have been useful because most of the work is done by the oven. I used a countertop oven in the video, but a regular oven works too. I prefer chicken legs with the bone and skin because I enjoy their tender tex…

Soy sauce, honey, mirin, and sake give these chicken legs sweet and savory contrasts. Garlic powder, ginger powder, and red pepper flakes add aroma and heat. If you do not have mirin and sake, use white wine instead.The Story Behind the RecipeOn busy days, these simple recipes have been useful because most of the work is done by the oven. I used a countertop oven in the video, but a regular oven works too. I prefer chicken legs with th…

Honey, mustard, paprika, and garlic powder give these chicken legs a familiar sweet and tangy flavor. Add a little cayenne or chili powder if you want some heat.The Story Behind the RecipeOn busy days, these simple recipes have been useful because most of the work is done by the oven. I used a countertop oven in the video, but a regular oven works too. I prefer chicken legs with the bone and skin because I enjoy their tender texture.Te…

Tomato, onion, sweet Florina pepper, and fresh garlic are blended and combined with mustard, chili flakes, coriander, and thyme. An aromatic marinade for pork destined for the grill.The Story Behind the RecipeGood meat on the grill can be wonderful with just salt, pepper, and oregano. Every now and then, though, I like marinating it for a change and discovering different flavors. This is one of my three favorite marinades. I have alrea…

Beer, stock, red pepper flakes, and ground coriander make an easy pork marinade. There are only a few ingredients, and the quantities are adjusted by eye.The Story Behind the RecipeGood meat on the grill can be wonderful with just salt, pepper, and oregano. Every now and then, though, I like marinating it for a change and discovering different flavors. This is one of my three favorite marinades. I learned this recipe from a place I lov…

Honey and mustard add sweetness and tang, while garlic, chili flakes, and coriander bring aroma and a little heat. A simple way to give grilled chicken a different flavor.The Story Behind the RecipeGood meat on the grill can be wonderful with just salt, pepper, and oregano. Every now and then, though, I like marinating it for a change and discovering different flavors. This is one of my three favorite marinades.Technique and Flavor Bal…

Finely chopped tomatoes, spring onion, oregano, red pepper flakes, and cayenne make a fresh dip for grilled food. Keep it gently spicy or add more heat to suit your taste.The Story Behind the RecipeGood meat on the grill can be wonderful with just salt, pepper, and oregano. Every now and then, though, I enjoy a change of flavor and like having a few dips alongside it. This is one of my three favorite dips for grilled food. I make it by…

Mayonnaise, two kinds of mustard, honey, and BBQ sauce make an easy creamy dip for snacks. It leans sweet, with a little tang and a gentle smoky note.The Story Behind the RecipeSometimes I do not have much time and put together a quick, easy snack. I still want plenty of flavor in everything I eat, so while the snacks are getting ready, I mix up a few dips. This is one of my three favorite dips for those moments. I add the ingredients …