Cherry Tahini Crumble

Looking for a way to use up all those plump, shiny red cherries popping up all across fruit markets these days? Are you also thinking about your waistline and the fact that a sweet cherry dessert will no doubt fuel your summer-clothing (ehem, beachwear) anxiety? Hmmmm … of course you can bake your cherries into a rich pie enveloped in a buttery …  flaky … crust … [snaps fingers to stop the daydreaming] … but remember: waistline, summer, beach, dare I say bikini. So, do yourself a favor and make these Cherry Tahini Crumbles instead.

Strawberry, Cardamom and Cream Cake — Τούρτα με Φράουλες, Κάρδαμο και Σαντιγύ

When I was younger I refrained from eating strawberries because every time I did I broke out in hives. I used to say I was allergic. Well, that depends on how you define allergic: does one or two hives count? Never mind that now because I devoured a large piece of this cake I made when we were invited over to friends’ for a barbecue the other day … and nothing happened. Actually, I’ve eaten strawberries innumerable times since I grew out of my paranoiac pre-teen years and I haven’t seen a single hive since.

Kέρασμα … Kοπεγχάγη — Birthday Treat

Today’s my birthday! Another year older … but still feeling, hmmm, I’d say about 25. To celebrate, I’m offering you all this treat, the act of which is known as Kέρασμα (kerasma)  in Greek. What is this delicious, syrupy, nutty, phyllo-topped delight? Well, in Greek it is known as Kοπεγχάγη (ko-peg-hagi), which translates to Copenhagen. Huh?!?!?!? Believe me I am as confused as you as I don’t know the meaning behind the name of this dessert, although I would love to find out just why it was christened this way.

Πορτοκαλόπιτα (Orange Pie)

When I was in Greece this summer, my father-in-law phoned from work one morning to say that his co-worker had earlier described a Greek dessert he himself never heard of and he was wondering if even I had ever come across this sweet. It turns out I had never tasted or quite frankly even heard of it either but when I asked my husband’s aunt later in the day if she had, she quickly pulled out her journal of recipes and promptly began reciting the ingredients needed to make the citrus-flavored dessert, Πορτοκαλόπιτα (portokalopita: orange pie).

Melomakarona/Finikia

For Greeks, whichever corner of the world they may be residing, the Christmas holidays mean lots of kourambiedes and melomakarona, two traditional Greek cookies/sweets. Kourambiedes (almond cookies dusted in powdered sugar) and melomakarona (syrup-soaked cookies often made with walnuts) scream Christmas loud and clear for me, just as gingerbread or fruitcake do for others.

Pumpkin Rizogalo

Pumpkin pie is certainly an important part of an American Thanksgiving … it’s the day’s quintessential dessert and frankly, Thanksgiving just doesn’t feel right without this sweet, spice-laced pie gracing our humble table. But for those that aren’t so enthusiastic about traditional pumpkin pie, there are some great alternatives. Pumpkin and Coconut Milk Panna Cotta anyone? Or how about this Pumpkin Rizogalo (that’s Greek for rice pudding)? For me, rizogalo is one of those food items that brings back a flood of memories and emotions. One