Ivy on November 2nd, 2009

The history of Greek red saffron or Krokos Kozanis (Crocus Sativus Linneaus plant) dates back to prehistoric Greece.
In modern Greece, it starts again in the 17th century when traders from Kozani, Macedonia, bring the red saffron back from Austria.

For 300 years, Greek red saffron is systematically cultivated under the warmth of the Greek [...]

Continue reading about Krokos Kozanis (Crocus) or Zafora (Greek Saffron)

Ivy on October 5th, 2009

One of September’s grapes is called fraoula, which means strawberry. I do not know why it is called strawberry but I suppose it could be because of its colour or taste.     We usually don’t eat grapes except for the seedless sultana grapes but for some unknown reason when I [...]

Continue reading about Poached Fruit with Mavrodaphne

Ivy on September 28th, 2009

Gyristarkes, from the Greek verb γυρίζω = turn, now commonly known as glystarkes or glistarkes, is a kind of grid-like crusty, sesame rusks.   The bread sticks are dipped into sesame seeds and then they are shaped beginning with a cross (as it had a religious meaning as well) and then other bread sticks are added [...]

Continue reading about Glystarkes (Cypriot crusty, sesame rusks)

Ivy on December 5th, 2008

Wow, how time flies and it’s time to make the Christmas Cake again.  I have been making this same Christmas Cake for ever.

This year I have decided to change everything. Firstly I’ve changed the decoration. They do not make Christmas Cakes in Greece so I cannot find new Christmas ornaments to put [...]

Continue reading about White Christmas Fruit Cake

Ivy on December 1st, 2007

Some cakes which are not part of our culinary habits have been adapted by us and added to our cuisine. Among these cakes is the Christmas cake, which must have been introduced to us when Cyprus was a British Colony. I can remember it from my childhood and I have been doing [...]

Continue reading about Christmas Cake