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Fava Bean Spread

gorgeous, chunky, filling, fantastic fava bean spread on toast!

The avocado toast trend’s got nothing on this traditional amazingly tasty, incredibly simple Greek power breakfast: 5 minutes, 5 ingredients, one bowl, and done!

KouKOfava (κουκόφαβα) or fava bean spread originally hails from the island of Crete and is a positively delicious, incredibly nutritious and absolutely beautiful spread made from fava or broad beans. Each bite of fava bean spread comes with a natural boost of B vitamins, plant protein, minerals, anti oxidants and fiber.  I absolutely LOVE it on everything but most especially, on toasted multigrain bread drizzled in olive oil. Koukofava – the breakfast Continue Reading →

Skordalia

traditional skordalia with beautiful beet salad

traditional skordalia with beautiful beet salad

Skordalia is one of the most traditional dishes in all of Greece. It’s so so simple to make with a just few everyday ingredients and remarkably delicious – if you haven’t already, this one is a must-try!

Often described as Greek garlic mashed potatoes, traditional skordalia is much more than that. Creamy, ‘buttery’ potato goodness with the pop of mashed raw garlic folded in – it’s indescribable really. And skordalia is in no way overwhelmingly garlicky, just almost peppery with that bite of raw garlic coming through the velvety potato.

Have only 1 russet potato and a few cloves of garlic in the house? Then you’re about 15 minutes away from crazy amazing skordalia! Spread it on EVERYTHING or pair it with it’s bestie, a simple beet salad / pantzaria salata. However you choose to enjoy it, you’ll love every Continue Reading →

Olive Spread / Pasta Elias (πάστα ελιάς)

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Chunky, meaty, salty olives with sweet fig jam, nutty garlic, tangy vinegar and a bit of licorice fennel – there are so many flavors going on here you will go crazy for this authentic olive spread!

Olives, roasted garlic and fig jam are the three musketeers of this traditional favorite Greek olive spread, pasta elias (????? ?????) . You can find everything you need at your local market’s antipasto bar and assemble at home or do it all on your own. Either way, this recipe is super quick and easy to make and cooking with olive oil makes it INSANELY delicious Continue Reading →

Tahini Lemon Sauce

stuffed grape leaves in tahini lemon sauce

stuffed grape leaves in tahini lemon sauce

Get ready to put this sauce on, well, just about everything! I love it with stuffed grape leaves. Try it on salads, as a veggie dip, on sandwiches – perfect with felafel! Quick, easy, nutritious and delicious. Whip up a batch and you’ll see,  the possibilities are endless.

Tahini lemon sauce is traditionally made during lenten periods as a dairy-free version of avgolemono or egg-lemon sauce. My father added his own twist to this recipe many years ago that I’ll share with you now. By adding Continue Reading →

Fig Jam (Μαρμελάδα Σύκο)

fig jam on toast

fig jam on toast

Fig jam is a taste that brings me back to summer in Greece with each bite.  A delicious, sweet flavor combination of apples and pear with it’s own special citrussy twist – fig jam is just fantastic!

Spread on toast, this jam is one of my favorite quick breakfasts. It’s also a simple and lovely desert served in a filo tart shell. Once you make a batch, you’ll find so many ways to enjoy fig jam – that is if you can stop yourself from eating it right out of the mixing bowl! Continue Reading →

Traditional Greek Fava

creamy, velvety traditional Greek fava

creamy, velvety traditional Greek fava

 Breaking news for all you Greek vegans – hummus is not Greek! No matter how many Greek restaurants in the US  feature hummus on their menus, I am here to tell you it is almost NEVER served in restaurants or homes in Greece. Instead, authentic Greek restaurants and families enjoy a traditional, so delicious spread made from yellow split peas called fava (not to be confused with fava the bean).

Think of fava as hummus on steroids, both in taste and nutrition. Fava can be served smooth or chunky depending on your taste. It has a bit of a peppery bite from Continue Reading →

Basil and Roasted Garlic Spread

 

fresh basil and roasted garlic spread

Creamy, yummy, buttery good and positively delicious on everything – have I sold you on this spread yet? I make a double or triple batch and spread on veggies, sandwiches, bread sticks, crusty bread. It’s just that good.

Using fresh basil leaves gives this recipe such a bright flavor. When you combine that with the creamy, nutty goodness of the roasted garlic you have a match made in heaven. Bonus – with the fresh, Continue Reading →

Greek Ketchup

crazy flavorful Greek ketchup

crazy flavorful Greek ketchup

Better than ANY ketchup you’ve ever tasted, this “Greek ketchup” is completely sugar and corn syrup free and honestly puts all other to shame. Seriously!

I first tasted this in the small town of New Prokopion on the island of Evia. It was January, rainy and a chilly 50 degrees when we tucked into a neighborhood tavern for a bite. I ordered fried potatoes which came to the table with a small dish of what I assumed to be regular, old ketchup. Wrong!! This was better

Continue Reading →

Skordalia with Roasted Garlic

Skordalia with Roasted Peppers and Olives

How delicious does this look? Skordalia is found in almost every Greek household, made with just a few common ingredients and so good. It’s such a versatile dish you’ll find yourself spreading it on sandwiches, veggies or just tucking into a big bowlful with crusty bread.

Many years ago, because skordalia is traditionally made with raw garlic (recipe for traditional version here), my father had to make some adjustments to this dish before our young and Americanized palates would tolerate it. By simply substituting roasted garlic for raw, he retained much of the healthy goodness and original ingredients but with a much more subtle garlic flavor. Continue Reading →

Roasted Garlic

roasted garlic

roasted garlic

Roasting garlic in the oven brings out a buttery, nutty sweetness that is so different from raw garlic. Make a big batch at a time and you’ll have it on hand, ready to pop into your favorite recipes. Easy to cook and store, see what you think of the Greek Vegan’s no-fail garlic roasting technique!

Quick prep, easy clean up and perfectly delicious results every time – here’s the secret, Continue Reading →

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