Ivy on January 6th, 2009

The celebrations throughout the Twelve days of Christmas, called Dodekaimera, period until Epiphany, (6th January), end on Epiphany day where Greek Christmas celebrations conclude with the feast called  “Ta Phota” meaning “The Lights”.    In the Orthodox Church this feast is important as the baptism of Christ.   On the Eve of this day [...]

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Ivy on January 2nd, 2009

My best wishes to all of you for a
Happy New Year!!
Vassilopita is our traditional New Year’s cake or Sweet Tsoureki Bread. This cake can easily be called an orange cake and it is similar to a pound cake. In fact this year I have adapted a pound cake from [...]

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Ivy on December 31st, 2008

Samousades is the Spartan version of baklavas and is made in a similar way we make “daktyla” in Cyprus, the only difference is that they are rolled into a thicker roll .

Samousades is traditionally made with hand made phyllo and it is filled with nuts, almonds or walnuts, sesame seeds and spices. It [...]

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Ivy on December 30th, 2008

Tyropita (τυρóπιτα) meaning tyri (cheese) + pita = pie is a Greek pastry made with different cheese fillings.   A classic tyropita is made with layers of phyllo, prefereably hand made but store bought is an easy but also delicious solution, which is layered and buttered or oiled.  Buttered phyllo is richer in taste but if [...]

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Ivy on December 26th, 2008

All’s well that ends well….
The food you see in the slide show was prepared on Christmas day but we were that close of not having everything.. as planned!!

But wait a second… let me go back up in time a little bit.
On Christmas Eve our beloved refrigerator “died”.
The refrigerator had been making strange [...]

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Ivy on December 23rd, 2008

Amygdala is the name of almonds in Greek and this dessert is called Amygdalota “all almonds”. There are a few versions either baked or not. These desserts are traditionally made in the Cyclades islands, shaped liked small pears with a clove inserted on the top and showered with confectioners’ sugar. I made a [...]

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Ivy on December 23rd, 2008

Melomakarona are one of our Christmas traditional cookies which are infused in honey.  They have no butter, no eggs, nothing dairy but they are so tasty you cannot just eat one.  They can be preserved for a very long time but they get a bit dry as time passes.  That does not make them less [...]

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Ivy on December 22nd, 2008

There are many recipes of kourabiedes but the main ingredient which gives this traditional Greek cookie its taste is the Greek sheep’s butter.   However, if you cannot find Greek sheep’s butter you can also make them with any other butter you usually use.
In Cyprus during Christmas they make the same kourabiedes as in Greece [...]

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Ivy on December 19th, 2008

Years ago, before refrigerators were invented or even before electricity, can you imagine how people lived?
We stuff our refrigerators with lots of products and whenever we feel like cooking we just thaw something and cook it.
Back then people had hens and turkeys, rabbits and other domestic animals in their yards, which they [...]

Continue reading about Spartiatika Loukanika (Spartan Sausages)

Ivy on December 1st, 2008

“Weekend Herb Blogging“ is one of my favourite food blogging events and I am very happy that this week I am going to be hosting it.
I’m sure you’ve have heard of this event as this is the 3rd Year of Weekend Herb Blogging, created by Kalyn of Kalyn’s Kitchen and now Kalyn has passed it [...]

Continue reading about Quince spoon sweet and Weekend Herb Blogging #161