MERRY GREEK CHRISTMAS

Turkey Fillet with Ouzo in Parchment Bundles

If you don’t have a whole team available to help you preparing the christmas turkey, this is the recipe. Very very easy, plus you can prepare everything from the previous evening and keep them in your fridge. The juices coming out from the mushrooms and the greens, make the turkey soft and tender. And the combination of ouzo and thyme really lifts the taste. This time make the difference, and prepare your turkey the Mediterranean way.

Melomakarona - The Greek Christmas Treat with Olive Oil and Honey

The most traditional and my personal favorite Christmas sweet made with olive oil and honey. There are so many “Melomakarona” recipes. What I like in this one, is that no sugar is added, plus I don’t need a mixer. Just one bowl, my hands and 20 minutes. Make them together with your little ones and let your house smell of orange, honey, cinnamon and cloves.

The Greek Traditional Walnut Pie (Karidopita)

You should make this Walnut Pie for many reasons: 1. It takes only 5 minutes of your precious time, 2. You don’t need to wash a mixer when you are finished, and 3. You will get your kids eat WALNUTS (rich in omega 3 fatty acids). The Mediterranean diet emphasizes on eating nuts and seeds. And it is scientifically proven, that they are highly essential, as they help our kids maintain a normal blood pressure, help reduce their cholesterol level, reduce inflammation and keep their heart healthy.

Christmas decorated muffins made with olive oil, Greek yogurt, fresh Mandarin orange juice and a lot of Mandarin zest. Make them together with your little ones. It is so easy and so much fun!!!

Find the best kourambiethes in Kavala City

One of the two Christmas treats you find almost in every Greek home these days is Kourambiethes. Cookies with a delicious toasted almond crunch, coated in lots of icing sugar. At my husband’s birthplace (the area of Kavala Northen-East Greece), kourambies in enjoyed throughout the year, and this area is known for the most highly aromatic and fluffy Kourambiethes.

Two weeks ago, I visited Konstantinos who owns a small “Cookies” store (the Boulangerie Boutique) on the way up to the Kavala Cast

This homemade Roast Chicken will look so fantastic on your Christmas table. If you are not keen on turkey for Christmas make this buttery chicken, roasted within the aromas of Christmas spices and fresh oranges. It makes a fabulous main for the big event and it will please the palates of your guests…guaranteed.

Save this recipe: Easy and quick to make, with three only ingredients, without butter and sugar, full of protein and very very healthy. One thing is for sure; you are going to make those cookies all year long.

Every Greek house this time of the year makes “kourambiethes”. It is a butter-almond shortbread cookie with lots of icing sugar on top. This is what you can do when the holidays are over and you are left home with tones of kourambiethes. A chocolate log. Kids favorite!

No flour "Melomakarona" with tahini and oats

Not being able to experience the divine taste of this Greek Christmas treat because you have a gluten sensitivity, is a torture. This recipe is made for my friend Maria, who is diagnosed with celiac disease. I met her again, while I was in Athens, and I gifted her a metallic box filled with my homemade gluten free melomakarona. It is just so lovely to bring a smile on a friends face.

Chocolate Prunes stuffed with roasted almonds

Perfect to satisfy your kids sweet tooth, healthy to use as a full of energy after school snack, and ideal to help your kids with constipation problems. And as always…very very easy.

Cooking like a Mediterranean means using herbs to give flavor and aroma to your creations. Rosemary is my favorite herb, but this is the first time I used it to make something sweet. This is a recipe I found at the website of the famous Greek Chef Akis Petretzikis. The idea of combining rosemary with chocolate is brilliant. Plus it’s a perfect Christmas treat.

The day before Christmas, on December 24th, children in Greece are singing the Christmas carols accompanied by their small metal triangles and/or other light percussion instruments. This carol is commonly abbreviated as "Kalanta" or "Kalanda". I remember myself and my brother looking forward to that day, cause this carol marked for us the official countdown to Christmas, which meant we could finally open our presents.

TRAVEL

THE MOST UNIQUE CHISTMAS GIFT IS

HERE

A Notebook to keep your family recipes alive

WATCH how to make the easiest MELOMAKARONA

Hey! I'm Kalli.

We Greeks believe that food is not only our fuel. It is a way of communicating, celebrating together and showing that we care for one another.

Come join me in my culinary adventures and I will show you how easy it is to cook like a Greek. Few, but fresh and seasonal ingredients will be transformed into delicious and healthy meals for the everyday home cook!

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THE GREECE INSPIRED

Recipe Notebook

"Pass your family recipes to the next generations"

40 spots for recipe recording
allows for all the necessities on a recipe card, (ingredients, hands on, cooking time, serves, recipe process)
spot for “notes” to write any special memories associated with the recipe
6.5 x 8.7 inches Measures (A5) portrait orientation
matte lamination (to protect against cooking spills)
designed and produced in Greece