Celebrate with an Ouzorita - Happy Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! To add to the celebration, here is a drink recipe for an Ouzorita. This smooth lime and anise taste blends together well. Some describe it as the Greek margarita and others a Greek Cosmopolitan. Either way, the Ouzorita will be a nice new drink to introduce to your friends. Ouzorita Ingredients 1. 1 lime wedge and kosher salt 2. ice 3. 1 1/2 ounces vodka 4. 1/2 ounce ouzo 5. 1/2 ounce triple sec 6. 1 ounce fresh lime juice Method 1. Moisten the outer rim of a martini glass with the lime wedge and coat lightly with salt. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all of the remaining ingredients, shake well and strain into the martini glass. Garnish with a lime. More recipes or to order the book, go to http://www.greekchiccuisine.com/

Spanakopita!

This a widely popular Greek recipe and traditional family favorite can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or a vegetarian meal. Spanakopita is my favorite Greek recipe! Most people serve as an appetizer, but make it a bit larger and add a Greek salad as an entree. It contains deliciously prepared spinach and feta cheese wrapped in layers of filo dough.

Serves: 6
Ingredients
10 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1⁄2 cup Greek extra virgin olive oil
2–3 tablespoons fresh or dried dill
10 ounces Feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup small curd cottage cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 pound filo, thawed
2 sticks of butter, melted
salt and pepper

Method

1. Sauté onions in a pan with 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
2. In a bowl, mix sautéed onions with spinach, Feta, eggs, dill, salt, pepper, and
remaining olive oil.
3. Take unwrapped filo and lay flat. Keep covered with a cloth. Take one filo sheet
and lightly brush with butter.
4. Place another sheet on top of the first sheet, and lightly butter it too.
5. Take 1⁄2 cup of the spinach mixture and place in the middle of the filo’s vertical or
short end.
6. Fold edges in and roll the filo, keeping it a small square.
7. Lightly butter the edges to seal the roll.
8. Place on a cookie sheet and repeat the process for each roll.
9. Bake at 350° F for 25 to 30 minutes on a cookie sheet until golden brown.
Optional:
Slice diagonally and arrange on serving tray.

Baked Feta Cheese Appetizer ~ Easy

Baked Feta Cheese Appetizer

Simple and easy to make appetizer. First tasted this in the Greek Islands at a luxious hotel. Bake it in a simple serving dish for all to share. This is my new recipe for parties.

Ingredients

1/2 lb feta (preferably Greek), rinsed and drained
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

* Use any or all of the following topping.
1/4 teaspoon capers *optional
1/4 cup red onion, sliced *optional
1/4 cup red or green bell peppers, sliced *optional
1/4 cup roma tomatoe, sliced
10 Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, pitted, rinsed, and sliced (1/4 cup)



Method

Preheat broiler.

1. Cut cheese into 1/2-inch-thick slices and divide evenly among 4 small flameproof baking dishes (or arrange in 1 layer in a large one). Sprinkle oregano and pepper over cheese.

2. Slice red peppers, red onions, tomatoes, olives then place on top of feta cheese. Drizzle topping with olive oil.

3. Broil on hi heat until edges of cheese are golden, about 5 minutes.

4. Serve warm with toasted pita wedges or crusty bread.

Shrimp alla Santorini

Great Class tonight at Whole Foods. Here is one of the many recipes we cooked tonight.

Shrimp alla Santorini


This recipe was inspired by the famous Greek Island of Santorini, where one can eat the fruit of the sea daily. Light island cooking is fresh and has so much natural flavor. May this entree
bring you closer to the Greek Islands.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
¼ cup Greek extra virgin olive oil
5 green onions, chopped
¼ cup dry white wine
1-2 garlic clove, minced
1 ½ pounds large shrimp, shelled and deveined
5 Roma tomatoes, chopped
4 ounces Feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
2 tablespoons dried dill
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup orzo pasta, cooked

Method
1. Clean shrimp by shelling and deveining. Leaving the tail intact is optional. Rinse,drain, and dry with paper towels. Set aside.
2. In a pan, gently sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until transparent. Then add tomatoes, wine, dill, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add Shrimp and continue to stir.
Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until tomatoes are reduced.
3. Boil orzo pasta. Drain and rinse cooked orzo.
4. Place orzo in a baking dish and pour prepared sauce and mix. Sprinkle with Feta cheese and mix then top with extra feta.

5. Bake at 350° F for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm with
sliced bread.

Holiday Appetizer -Greek Meatballs ~ Keftethes

Keftethes

These Greek style meatballs are made with lightly seasoned ground beef and a hint of mint. They are full of flavor and irresistible. Greek Chic It: For Greek-style spaghetti and meatballs, this is my mom’s favorite version. Toss keftethes into your favorite marinara sauce.

Serves: 8

Ingredients
1 pound lean, finely ground beef or veal
1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
⅓ cup bread crumbs
2 eggs, beaten
3 ½ tablespoons fresh or dried mint
1 tablespoon dried parsley
¼ cup light Greek olive oil
¼ cup flour
salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. In a bowl, mix ground beef with onion, garlic, bread crumbs, mint, and parsley.
2. Season well with salt and pepper.
3. Mix ingredients well with hands. Add the beaten egg to bind the mixture together.
4. With damp hands, roll the meat mixture into small balls. In a separate dish, roll
meatballs into flour. Reroll to keep the form if necessary.
5. Add olive oil to a sauté pan. When oil is ready, place a few meatballs at a time into
the pan. Lightly brown on all sides until fully cooked on the inside.
6. Optional: partially cook meatballs by browning them in the pan, then place them
in the broiler and cook under medium heat for 10 to 15 more minutes, turning
frequently.
7. For dipping sauce, serve with tzatziki topping.

Let the baking begin...butter cookie recipe - Kourambiethes

Baking for Christmas starts with cookies. Just saw on the Today Show, Martha Stewart making some unique cookies to add to your holiday baking. My favorite unique Greek cookie is Kourambiethes. The are buttery and easy to make for Christmas. Athena & Eleni, my daughters, love these snow capped with powdered sugar round cookies every holiday. Santa gets this cookie on his plate and leaves a trail of powdered sugar..since we know Santa likes Greek cooking.

Merry Christmas and happy baking for the holidays!!!
www.greekchiccuisine.com
www.grecianoil.com

RECIPE
KourambiethesThis is the ultimate wedding cookie that melts in your mouth. It’s an easy-to-make, buttery
cookie beautifully decorated with powdered sugar and is great for special occasions.
Yield: 50–60
Ingredients
1 pound unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
2 egg yokes
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 ounce whiskey
2 teaspoons almond extract
4 cups of flour (may not need all)
6 cups of powder sugar, sifted
60 baking cups
Method
1. In a mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy Add egg yolks, almond
extract, and whiskey to the butter mixture.
2. Mix flour and baking powder, then add flour little-by-little to make soft dough
- a little greasier than dry consistency. It feels like play dough. Form a small,
smooth ball and lightly pinch with three fingers on top. Place on a cookie sheet.
Optional: shape dough into crescents or S-shaped cookies.
3. Bake in a preheated oven at 350° F for 20 to 25 minutes or until light brown in
color. Let cool.
4. Line table with wax paper and lightly sift powdered sugar over it. Place cookies on
top of the powdered sugar. Continue to sift powdered sugar over cookies until
they are completely covered with a mountain of sugar. Place in baking cups.
Greek Chic It: Cut kourambiethes cookie dough into hearts or stars with a cookie
cutter instead of balls for holidays or special occasions.

Easy Spice Cake for Fall with hot chocolate

Walnut Spice Cake - Karithopita

Karithopita or Walnut Spice cake is great dessert comfort food as the weather gets a bit cooler. All the ingredients and complex flavors of more difficult to make Greek desserts, this light walnut cake baked with hints of cinnamon spice flavors is quick and easy to make. Great any time of the day, this simple cake is sure to please your family. A warm piece of Karithopita is a wonderful addition to a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Walnut Spice Cake - Karithopita

Serves: 24

Ingredients

1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 tablespoon whiskey
2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 ½ cups walnuts, finely chopped
24 baking cups

Syrup Topping Ingredients

½ cup honey
½ cup water
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped

Method

1. In an electric mixer, cream sugar and eggs one at a time until light and fluffy.
Slowly add oil, milk, and whiskey.
2. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda,
cinnamon, cloves and walnuts. Mix well. Fold into creamed mixture until blended
well.
3. Pour into a greased oven dish, 13 x 9 x 2 inches. Bake in an oven at 350° F for 20 to
25 minutes or until cooked when tested.
4. In a saucepan over medium heat, boil honey and water. Then pour warm syrup
over cooled cake. Use enough syrup to saturate the cake. There may be some
remaining syrup.
5. When cake is cold, cut into diamond shapes and sprinkle with finely chopped
walnuts. Place each decorated cake into a baking cup and place on serving tray.

Greek Chic It: Serve with whipped cream in the center and cinnamon as a garnish. For Christmas, use red and green candied cherries on top.

Recipe courtesy of Greek Chic Cuisine Cookbook by Stephanie M. Patsalis. http://www.greekchiccuisine.com/ Now available at iBookstore.