25 Mainland Greek Classics | Kalliopi's Kitchen

These are the dishes that belong to no single region because they belong to all of them. Moussaka, souvlaki, gemista, keftedes, tzatziki, the Greek salad. If someone outside Greece can name a Greek dish, it is probably on this list.

That makes it the place to start. The numbered dishes are the ones to learn first, and the rest follow underneath.

A few of them teach a technique the others reuse. Avgolemono soup teaches the egg and lemon sauce. Baklava and galaktoboureko teach syrup. Tiropita teaches phyllo. Tzatziki teaches you to squeeze the water out of things.

Every recipe on Kalliopi's Kitchen carries the dish's Greek name and a pronunciation, its region where that is meaningful, ingredient quantities in both metric and imperial, and an honest note on what commonly goes wrong. Nutrition figures are calculated estimates and are labelled as such.

1. Moussaka
Mousakas · Μουσακάς · moo-sah-KAHS
When people say Greek food, this is usually what they mean, and it is also the dish that gets ruined most. Water does it, not bad ingredients. Cook the meat sauce drier than looks right and keep the bechamel thick. It is no weeknight dinner, but nearly all of it can be made ahead.
Yiayia’s tip: Salt the aubergines even if the packet says you do not need to. Modern aubergines are far less bitter than they used to be, so salting is often called unnecessary. That misses the point. Salting collapses the cell structure and drives out water, which means the slices absorb less oil and hold their shape in the bake.
1h 55m · Serves 8 · Intermediate
Make Moussaka
2. Tzatziki
Τζατζίκι · tsah-TSEE-kee
The gap between the real thing and the loose grey tubs in the shops has nothing to do with garlic. The cucumber is salted and squeezed dry, and the yogurt is strained, thick and tart. Low-fat yogurt turns chalky. The garlic should be loud, and the dip is better made a day ahead.
Yiayia’s tip: Do not use a food processor. It shreds the cucumber too finely and whips air into the yogurt, giving a slack, foamy texture. A box grater and a bowl are the right tools.
15m · Serves 6 · Beginner
Make Tzatziki
3. Greek Salad
Horiatiki salata · Χωριάτικη σαλάτα · hor-YAH-tee-kee sah-LAH-tah
Horiatiki means village salad: what was growing outside, chopped and oiled. There is no lettuce in it. The feta goes on top as one thick slab, never crumbled, and you break bits off as you eat. The dressing is olive oil, a splash of red wine vinegar, salt and oregano, straight into the bowl.
Yiayia’s tip: Room temperature, not fridge cold. Cold blunts tomato flavour badly. Take the tomatoes and feta out of the fridge half an hour before you build the salad.
12m · Serves 4 · Beginner
Make Greek Salad
4. Pork Souvlaki
Souvlaki · Σουβλάκι · soo-VLAH-kee
Little skewer is what the word means, and to a Greek it is the meat, not the wrap. Order one in Athens and two bare skewers may arrive with bread, lemon and raw onion. The meat is nearly always pork, and shoulder has the fat to survive a hard fire. Beef barely comes into it.
Yiayia’s tip: Leave gaps between the cubes. Meat packed tightly against itself on a skewer cannot brown on the touching faces. Small gaps let the fire get in and give you crust on all sides.
32m · Serves 4 · Beginner
Make Pork Souvlaki
5. Pastitsio
Παστίτσιο · pah-STEE-tsee-oh
The baked pasta Greek families make more often than moussaka, because it costs less, forgives more and nobody at the table refuses it. Two things make it Greek and not Italian: cinnamon in the meat sauce, and a bechamel layer as deep as the pasta underneath it.
Yiayia’s tip: Lay the pasta the same way. If you are using long tubes, lay them all running in one direction. Cutting across the grain afterwards gives clean square portions rather than ragged ones.
1h 40m · Serves 8 · Intermediate
Make Pastitsio
6. Avgolemono Soup
Kotosoupa avgolemono · Κοτόσουπα αυγολέμονο · ahv-gho-LEH-mo-no
Avgo is egg and lemoni is lemon. Whisked together and loosened with hot broth, they thicken a soup with no flour and no cream. It is what a Greek kitchen makes when somebody has flu. The broth goes into the eggs one ladle at a time, away from the heat, or they scramble.
Yiayia’s tip: Room temperature eggs. Cold eggs hitting hot broth is a bigger temperature shock and a bigger curdling risk. Take them out of the fridge half an hour ahead.
1h 30m · Serves 6 · Intermediate
Make Avgolemono Soup
7. Baklava
Baklavas · Μπακλαβάς · bahk-lah-VAHS
The one everybody thinks they know. The Greek version is walnuts, not pistachios, with a heavy hand of cinnamon and clove and a syrup built on honey. Nothing in it is difficult. The layering takes as long as it takes, and the syrup decides whether you end up with crisp or soggy.
Yiayia’s tip: Do not stir the syrup once it boils. Stirring a boiling sugar syrup encourages crystallisation. Dissolve the sugar as it heats, then leave it alone.
1h 45m · Serves 24 · Intermediate
Make Baklava
8. Smoky Aubergine Dip
Melitzanosalata · Μελιτζανοσαλάτα · meh-lee-tzah-no-sah-LAH-tah
The first ten minutes decide it. The aubergines are charred whole on a bare flame until the skin blackens and the flesh goes slack, and that smoke is the dish. An oven gives a beige puree that tastes of very little. Greeks still argue about vinegar or lemon, and whether walnuts belong in it.
Yiayia’s tip: Do not rinse the flesh. It is tempting when flecks of black skin get mixed in, but rinsing removes the smoke you spent twenty minutes creating. A few black flecks are a sign you did it right.
45m · Serves 6 · Beginner
Make Smoky Aubergine Dip
9. Loukoumades
Λουκουμάδες · loo-koo-MAH-des
Possibly the oldest dessert Europe still eats: honey tokens much like them went to the winners of the ancient games. The batter is wetter than any dough you could handle, and that water becomes the steam that blows the middle hollow. They do not keep. Within twenty minutes of the fryer they are soft.
Yiayia’s tip: Keep the spoons wet. The batter sticks ferociously to anything dry. A bowl of water beside the pan, and dipping the spoons between every single puff, is the difference between this being easy and being maddening.
45m · Serves 6 · Intermediate
Make Loukoumades
10. Galaktoboureko
Γαλακτομπούρεκο · gha-lahk-toh-BOO-reh-koh
Baklava is more famous. This is the one that people raised on both ask for: a thick custard scented with lemon, shut inside phyllo, with cold syrup poured over the hot pie. Semolina sets the custard firm enough to cut clean. The phyllo is simpler than baklava, only two blocks of layers.
Yiayia’s tip: Rain the semolina, do not dump it. Adding it all at once guarantees lumps. A thin steady stream with constant whisking gives a smooth custard first time.
1h 30m · Serves 12 · Intermediate
Make Galaktoboureko
11. How to Make Greek Coffee in a Briki
Ellinikos kafes · Ελληνικός καφές · eh-lee-nee-KOS kah-FES
Neither espresso nor filter. The grounds are cooked in the water, poured into the cup with it and left to settle at the bottom. The one skill is not letting it boil, because boiling kills the kaimaki, the dense foam on top. Sugar goes in with the water, since stirring later lifts the grounds.
Yiayia’s tip: Match the briki to the quantity. A briki should be roughly two thirds full for the foam to build properly. Making one cup in a large briki gives you almost no kaimaki.
7m · Serves 2 · Beginner
Make How to Make Greek Coffee in a Briki
12. Pork Gyros
Gyros · Γύρος · YEE-ros
Nobody has a vertical rotisserie at home and nobody needs one. Marinated pork slices are pressed onto an upright skewer in a tin and roasted as one piece, so the fat runs down and bastes what is below. Then the meat is sliced thin and crisped in a hot pan. Most home versions skip that.
Yiayia’s tip: Freeze briefly before slicing. Forty minutes in the freezer firms the joint enough to slice thin and evenly. Trying to slice soft pork shoulder thinly is genuinely difficult.
2h · Serves 6 · Intermediate
Make Pork Gyros
13. Gemista
Γεμιστά · yeh-mee-STAH
Stuffed tomatoes and peppers, and two rules govern them. The rice is raw when it goes in, and nothing is filled past two thirds, because rice cooked first goes to paste and a full tomato bursts. The potatoes wedged in the gaps catch the juices. Many Greeks think them the best thing in the tray.
Yiayia’s tip: Salt and drain the tomato shells. Ten minutes upside down removes excess water that would otherwise make the rice sloppy.
2h 10m · Serves 6 · Beginner
Make Gemista
14. Keftedes
Κεφτέδες · kef-TEH-des
Lighter than most meatballs, and the bread does it: stale bread, wetted and wrung out, holds water inside where breadcrumbs would tighten the mix. They taste of mint and oregano, not garlic and parsley, which separates them from Italian polpette. More often a meze than a main, and good cold the next day.
Yiayia’s tip: Wet your hands to shape. Damp palms stop the mixture sticking and give a smoother surface that browns more evenly.
45m · Serves 6 · Beginner
Make Keftedes
15. Fasolada
Φασολάδα · fah-so-LAH-thah
Routinely called the national dish, and the claim holds up: for centuries, all over the country, this was what people ate several times a week. It is filling, costs little and is allowed in every fast. No stock goes in, only water. Too little olive oil or too little time, and it stays bean water.
Yiayia’s tip: Boil hard for five minutes first. The initial hard boil and change of water removes compounds that cause digestive discomfort and gives a cleaner-tasting soup.
1h 45m · Serves 6 · Beginner
Make Fasolada
16. Saganaki
Σαγανάκι · sah-ghah-NAH-kee
The name is the pan's, not the cheese's. A small two-handled frying pan is a sagani, and anything cooked in one is a saganaki, prawns and mussels included. The cheese must be firm and low in moisture, usually kefalotyri or graviera, or it runs into a puddle. Three minutes, then straight to the table.
Yiayia’s tip: Thick slices only. Under about 1.5 cm the cheese has melted through before the outside has coloured. Thickness is what buys you the contrast between crust and molten centre.
15m · Serves 4 · Beginner
Make Saganaki
17. Melomakarona
Μελομακάρονα · meh-lo-mah-KAH-ro-nah
Every Greek household bakes these at Christmas and every household argues about them: how much orange, brandy or no brandy, soft all the way through or a little bite left in the middle. They have no butter and no eggs, and they are better on day three than on day one, so make them ahead.
Yiayia’s tip: Do not knead. Fold the dough until it just holds together and stop. Kneaded dough makes tough cookies that will not absorb syrup.
1h 5m · Serves 30 · Beginner
Make Melomakarona
18. Briam
Μπριάμ · bree-AHM
It looks like ratatouille and works the opposite way. Ratatouille keeps each vegetable separate. Here courgette, aubergine, pepper, potato and tomato all go in one tray and cook until they stop being separate things, their water and the olive oil turning to sauce. Forty minutes gives roasted vegetables. Ninety gives briam.
Yiayia’s tip: Use a big tray. A deep pile takes far longer and steams rather than browning. A large shallow layer is what you want, even if it means using two tins.
2h · Serves 6 · Beginner
Make Briam
19. Tiropita
Τυρόπιτα · tee-ROH-pee-tah
The pie Greeks eat most, usually standing up, before ten in the morning, from a bakery window. With no spinach to hide behind, the cheese has to be right. Feta alone bakes dense, rubbery and too salty, so a soft mild cheese goes in with it: anthotyro, mizithra or ricotta, two parts feta to one.
Yiayia’s tip: Soak the feta if it is very salty. Twenty minutes in fresh water or milk before crumbling takes the edge off without losing the character of the cheese.
1h 15m · Serves 8 · Beginner
Make Tiropita
20. Kleftiko
Κλέφτικο · KLEF-tee-koh
Kleftis means thief. The klefts were mountain fighters under Ottoman rule who stole a sheep and had to cook it with no smoke to give them away, so it went into a closed pit over embers. A sealed parcel does the pit's job now. Twenty-five minutes of work, then four hours unopened in the oven.
Yiayia’s tip: Two layers, paper inside foil. Foil alone can react with the lemon and leave a metallic edge on the meat. Baking paper next to the food and foil outside it gives you a reliable seal without that risk.
4h 25m · Serves 6 · Beginner
Make Kleftiko
21. Prawns with Feta and Tomato
Garides saganaki · Γαρίδες σαγανάκι · ghah-REE-des sah-ghah-NAH-kee
Prawns in sharp tomato sauce with feta on top, finished under the grill or in the oven. Saganaki is the pan, not a cheese. Timing is the only way to spoil it: the sauce needs twenty minutes and the prawns three or four. A splash of ouzo flamed in the pan gives the taverna taste.
Yiayia’s tip: Do not let the feta fully melt. Feta softens and browns rather than melting smoothly. Pull it out while there are still distinct pieces, which is the texture you want against the sauce.
37m · Serves 4 · Beginner
Make Prawns with Feta and Tomato
22. Scrambled Eggs with Tomato and Feta
Strapatsada · Στραπατσάδα · strah-pah-TSAH-thah
August food, for the weeks when tomatoes peak and the oven stays off. The Peloponnese calls it kagianas, and some households will argue that is another dish. It is not. The tomato has to cook down to a thick, jammy paste before any egg goes in, or the scramble sits in pink liquid.
Yiayia’s tip: Low heat for the eggs. The tomato wants high heat and the eggs want low. Turning the heat down between the two stages is the single most useful thing you can do here.
23m · Serves 3 · Beginner
Make Scrambled Eggs with Tomato and Feta
23. Dolmades
Ντολμάδες · dol-MAH-des
An hour of rolling and no way round it, which is why Greek families do it together at a table, talking. These are the rice and herb ones, served cold, called yialantzi. The word means liar, because they pass themselves off as the meat version. They belong on a meze table and keep for days.
Yiayia’s tip: Under-fill rather than over-fill. A teaspoon per leaf. The rice triples in volume and an over-filled dolma splits along the seam every time.
1h 50m · Serves 8 · Intermediate
Make Dolmades
24. Stifado
Στιφάδο · stee-FAH-thoh
A stew defined by its onions. They go in whole, a kilo of them to a kilo of meat, and come out sweet and translucent. Red wine vinegar gives it a sharpness no other Greek stew has, with cinnamon, clove and bay behind it. Beef is usual. Rabbit is arguably the more traditional choice.
Yiayia’s tip: Blanch the onions to peel them. One minute in boiling water then into cold, and the skins slip off. Saves half an hour and a lot of unpleasantness.
3h · Serves 6 · Beginner
Make Stifado
25. Lentil Soup with Vinegar
Fakes · Φακές · fah-KES
Two soups fed Greece. Fasolada is one and this is the other, the quicker of them, since lentils go in unsoaked and are soft within the hour. There is little else: onion, garlic, bay, some tomato and a lot of olive oil. The vinegar goes into each bowl at the table, never the pot.
Yiayia’s tip: Salt only when tender. Salt added early toughens lentil skins and can add twenty minutes to the cooking time for no benefit.
1h 7m · Serves 6 · Beginner
Make Lentil Soup with Vinegar

More Mainland Greek Classics

163 more, 188 in all.

Greek kourabiedes cookies buried under thick icing sugar on a plate

KourabiedesKourabiedes ΚουραμπιέδεςDesserts · 52m · serves 30

A bowl of pale homemade taramosalata drizzled with olive oil

Fish Roe DipTaramosalata ΤαραμοσαλάταMeze and Appetisers · 15m · serves 8

A bowl of Greek skordalia garlic potato dip drizzled with olive oil

SkordaliaSkordalia ΣκορδαλιάDips and Sauces · 35m · serves 6

A bowl of Greek tirokafteri spicy whipped feta dip with roasted pepper

Spicy Whipped Feta DipTirokafteri ΤυροκαυτερήDips and Sauces · 10m · serves 6

A pot of Greek spanakorizo spinach and rice, deep green and glossy

SpanakorizoSpanakorizo ΣπανακόρυζοMain Courses · 45m · serves 4

A pot of Greek prasorizo leek and rice, pale and glossy with olive oil

Leek and RicePrasorizo ΠρασόρυζοMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

Fried Greek salt cod fillets served with a bowl of garlic potato skordalia

Fried Salt Cod with Garlic DipBakaliaros skordalia Μπακαλιάρος σκορδαλιάMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

Charred Greek paidakia lamb chops on a grill with lemon and oregano

PaidakiaPaidakia ΠαϊδάκιαMain Courses · 25m · serves 4

A Greek bifteki patty cut open showing melted feta inside

BiftekiBifteki ΜπιφτέκιMain Courses · 40m · serves 4

A tray of Greek lemon chicken and potatoes roasted golden

Lemon Roast Chicken and PotatoesKotopoulo lemonato Κοτόπουλο λεμονάτοMain Courses · 1h 35m · serves 4

Kontosouvli pork chunks slow-turning on a spit over charcoal

Spit-Roasted PorkKontosouvli ΚοντοσούβλιMain Courses · 3h 30m · serves 6

Greek giouvetsi baked beef and orzo in a clay dish

GiouvetsiGiouvetsi ΓιουβέτσιMain Courses · 2h 55m · serves 6

A bowl of Greek magiritsa Easter soup with fresh dill

Easter Offal and Herb SoupMagiritsa ΜαγειρίτσαSoups · 2h 30m · serves 8

A golden braided Greek tsoureki Easter bread with a red egg tucked in

TsourekiTsoureki ΤσουρέκιBreads and Pies · 1h 30m · serves 12

Twisted golden Greek koulourakia Easter cookies on a baking tray

KoulourakiaKoulourakia ΚουλουράκιαDesserts · 1h · serves 30

A golden Greek vasilopita New Year cake dusted with icing sugar

New Year Cake with the Hidden CoinVasilopita ΒασιλόπιταDesserts · 1h 10m · serves 12

Curled crisp Greek diples pastry ribbons drenched in honey and walnuts

Fried Honey PastryDiples ΔίπλεςDesserts · 1h 15m · serves 10

A slice of Greek karydopita walnut syrup cake on a plate

Walnut Spice CakeKarydopita ΚαρυδόπιταDesserts · 1h 5m · serves 12

A tray of Greek portokalopita orange phyllo cake soaked in syrup

PortokalopitaPortokalopita ΠορτοκαλόπιταDesserts · 1h 15m · serves 15

Cut bars of Greek pasteli sesame honey candy on a wooden board

Sesame and Honey BarsPasteli ΠαστέλιDesserts · 25m · serves 16

Greek pantzarosalata beetroot salad with garlic yogurt

Beetroot Salad with Garlic YogurtPantzarosalata ΠαντζαροσαλάταSalads · 1h 20m · serves 6

A bowl of Greek lachanosalata cabbage and carrot salad

Cabbage and Carrot SaladLachanosalata ΛαχανοσαλάταSalads · 15m · serves 6

A tall glass of Greek frappe iced coffee with a thick foam head

FrappeFrape ΦραπέDrinks · 5m · serves 1

A pot of Greek fasolakia lathera green beans in tomato sauce

Green Beans in Tomato and Olive OilFasolakia lathera Φασολάκια λαδεράSide Dishes · 1h · serves 4

Golden fried Greek courgette slices with tzatziki

Fried Courgette SlicesKolokithakia tiganita Κολοκυθάκια τηγανητάSide Dishes · 35m · serves 4

Greek papoutsakia stuffed aubergine boats topped with golden bechamel

Stuffed Aubergine "Little Shoes"Papoutsakia ΠαπουτσάκιαMain Courses · 1h 30m · serves 6

Golden fried Greek aubergine slices with tzatziki

Fried Aubergine SlicesMelitzanes tiganites Μελιτζάνες τηγανητέςSide Dishes · 45m · serves 4

Greek melitzanes imam baked aubergine with onion and tomato

Aubergine Baked with Onion and TomatoMelitzanes imam Μελιτζάνες ιμάμMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 4

Greek melitzanes me feta baked aubergine with tomato and melted feta

Baked Aubergine with Feta and TomatoMelitzanes me feta Μελιτζάνες με φέταMain Courses · 1h 5m · serves 4

Grilled Greek sardines dressed in ladolemono olive oil and lemon

Grilled Sardines with Lemon OilSardeles ladolemono Σαρδέλες λαδολέμονοMain Courses · 25m · serves 4

Golden Greek fried baby squid rings with lemon

Fried Baby SquidKalamarakia tiganita Καλαμαράκια τηγανητάMeze and Appetisers · 30m · serves 4

Greek gavros marinatos, marinated anchovy fillets in olive oil

Gavros MarinatosGavros marinatos Γαύρος μαρινάτοςMeze and Appetisers · 30m · serves 6

A bowl of Greek kotosoupa avgolemono chicken and rice soup

Chicken and Rice SoupKotosoupa avgolemono Κοτόσουπα αυγολέμονοSoups · 1h 50m · serves 6

A pot of Greek fakorizo lentils and rice

Lentils and RiceFakorizo ΦακόρυζοMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

A bowl of thick Greek yogurt topped with honey and crushed walnuts

Yogurt with Honey and WalnutsGiaourti me meli kai karydia Γιαούρτι με μέλι και καρύδιαBreakfast Recipes · 5m · serves 1

A sliced Greek yiaourtopita yogurt cake dusted with icing sugar

Yogurt CakeYiaourtopita ΓιαουρτόπιταDesserts · 1h · serves 10

Grilled yogurt-marinated chicken souvlaki skewers with charred edges

Yogurt-Marinated Chicken SouvlakiSouvlaki kotopoulo me giaourti Σουβλάκι κοτόπουλο με γιαούρτιMain Courses · 37m · serves 4

A bowl of Greek marouli salata shredded romaine lettuce salad

Romaine and Spring Onion SaladMarouloasalata ΜαρουλοσαλάταSalads · 15m · serves 4

A bowl of Greek patatosalata potato salad with red onion and herbs

Potato SaladPatatosalata ΠατατοσαλάταSalads · 45m · serves 6

A bowl of Greek fasolia salata white bean salad with red onion and parsley

White Bean SaladFasolia salata Φασόλια σαλάταSalads · 1h 15m · serves 6

A stack of Greek tiganites pancakes drizzled with honey and walnuts

Pancakes with HoneyTiganites me meli Τηγανίτες με μέλιBreakfast Recipes · 35m · serves 4

Golden Greek frigania fried bread slices drizzled with honey

Fried Bread with HoneyFriganya ΦρυγανιάBreakfast Recipes · 22m · serves 4

A glass of Greek freddo espresso iced coffee with a thick foam head

Iced EspressoFrendo espreso Φρέντο εσπρέσοDrinks · 5m · serves 1

A glass of Greek freddo cappuccino with a thick cold milk foam cap

Iced CappuccinoFrendo kapoutsino Φρέντο καπουτσίνοDrinks · 8m · serves 1

A pot of Greek bamies latheres okra in tomato sauce

Okra in Tomato and Olive OilBamies latheres Μπάμιες λαδερέςSide Dishes · 1h · serves 4

A small jug of Greek ladolemono olive oil and lemon sauce

Olive Oil and Lemon SauceLadolemono ΛαδολέμονοDips and Sauces · 5m · serves 6

A pot of basic Greek tomato sauce, saltsa domatas

Basic Greek Tomato SauceSaltsa domatas Σάλτσα ντομάταςDips and Sauces · 40m · serves 6

A bowl of Greek psarosoupa fish soup with avgolemono

Fish SoupPsarosoupa ΨαρόσουπαSoups · 1h 10m · serves 6

Vegan Greek melitzanes gemistes stuffed aubergine halves

Vegan Stuffed Aubergine with RiceMelitzanes gemistes Μελιτζάνες γεμιστέςMain Courses · 1h 40m · serves 6

A pot of Greek arni kokkinisto lamb braised in red tomato sauce

Lamb Braised in TomatoArni kokkinisto Αρνί κοκκινιστόMain Courses · 2h 5m · serves 6

A slice of Greek prasopita leek and feta pie showing layered phyllo

Leek PiePrasopita ΠρασόπιταBreads and Pies · 1h 30m · serves 8

A slice of Greek kreatopita meat pie showing layered phyllo and filling

Meat Pie in PhylloKreatopita ΚρεατόπιταBreads and Pies · 1h 50m · serves 8

A tray of golden Greek tiropitakia trigona cheese triangle pastries

Cheese Triangle PastriesTiropitakia trigona Τυροπιτάκια τρίγωναMeze and Appetisers · 1h 10m · serves 8

A slice of Greek milopita apple phyllo pie showing layered crisp pastry

Apple Pie in PhylloMilopita ΜηλόπιταDesserts · 1h 20m · serves 10

A slice of Greek spanakotyropita spinach and cheese pie

Spinach and Cheese PieSpanakotyropita ΣπανακοτυρόπιταBreads and Pies · 1h 25m · serves 8

A slice of Greek kotopita chicken pie showing layered phyllo and filling

Chicken Pie in PhylloKotopita ΚοτόπιταBreads and Pies · 1h 30m · serves 8

A slice of Greek melitzanopita aubergine and feta phyllo pie

Aubergine and Feta PieMelitzanopita ΜελιτζανόπιταBreads and Pies · 1h 35m · serves 8

A pot of Greek melitzanes yahni aubergine and tomato stew

Chunky Aubergine and Tomato StewMelitzanes yahni Μελιτζάνες γιαχνίMain Courses · 1h 10m · serves 4

A bowl of Greek strained yogurt topped with fresh seasonal fruit

Strained Yogurt with Fresh FruitGiaourti me frouta Γιαούρτι με φρούταBreakfast Recipes · 10m · serves 1

Greek lamb souvla turning slowly on a spit over charcoal

Lamb SouvlaSouvla arni Σούβλα αρνίMain Courses · 4h 30m · serves 10

A whole roasted Greek arnaki lemonato lamb leg with lemon and herbs

Roast Lamb Leg with LemonArnaki lemonato Αρνάκι λεμονάτοMain Courses · 3h 40m · serves 6

A plate of golden Greek marides tiganites fried whitebait with lemon

Fried WhitebaitMarides tiganites Μαρίδες τηγανητέςMeze and Appetisers · 23m · serves 4

Golden fried Greek barbouni red mullet with lemon

Fried Red MulletBarbouni tiganito Μπαρμπούνι τηγανητόMain Courses · 25m · serves 4

A plate of sliced Greek domatosalata tomato salad with oregano and olive oil

Simple Greek Sliced Tomato SaladNtomatosalata ΝτοματοσαλάταSalads · 10m · serves 4

A bowl of Greek kritharosalata orzo pasta salad with tomato, feta and olives

Orzo Pasta SaladKritharosalata ΚριθαρόσαλαταSalads · 32m · serves 6

Fried Greek galeos dogfish with skordalia garlic potato dip

Fried Dogfish with Garlic Potato DipGaleos skordalia Γαλέος σκορδαλιάMain Courses · 40m · serves 4

Greek kokoretsi lamb offal wrapped and grilled on a spit

KokoretsiKokoretsi ΚοκορέτσιMain Courses · 3h 30m · serves 8

A tray of Greek halvas simigdalenios semolina halva with cinnamon and walnuts

Semolina HalvaHalvas simigdalenios Χαλβάς σιμιγδαλένιοςDesserts · 40m · serves 10

Baked feta with honey, sesame seeds and chilli flakes

Baked Feta with Honey and SesameFeta psiti me meli Φέτα ψητή με μέλιMeze and Appetisers · 17m · serves 4

Greek kolokithoanthoi gemisti stuffed courgette flowers

Stuffed Courgette FlowersKolokithoanthoi gemistoi Κολοκυθοανθοί γεμιστοίMeze and Appetisers · 1h 10m · serves 6

A flat oval Greek lagana bread topped with sesame seeds

LaganaLagana ΛαγάναBreads and Pies · 1h · serves 8

A pot of Greek kolokithakia yiahni courgette in tomato sauce

Courgette in Tomato SauceKolokithakia yiahni Κολοκυθάκια γιαχνίSide Dishes · 45m · serves 4

Greek piperies tiganites fried green peppers with lemon

Fried Green PeppersPiperies tiganites Πιπεριές τηγανητέςSide Dishes · 22m · serves 4

A pot of Greek anginares me araka artichokes with peas and dill

Artichokes with PeasAnginares me araka Αγκινάρες με αρακάSide Dishes · 1h · serves 4

A chilled glass of Greek retsina resinated white wine

Retsina Serving GuideRetsina ΡετσίναDrinks · 5m · serves 4

A glass of Greek limonada fresh lemonade with ice and mint

LimonadaLimonada ΛεμονάδαDrinks · 15m · serves 4

A bowl of Greek fakes salata lentil salad with red onion and parsley

Lentil SaladFakes salata Φακές σαλάταSalads · 45m · serves 6

A bowl of Greek revithosalata chickpea salad with red onion and parsley

Chickpea SaladRevithosalata ΡεβιθοσαλάταSalads · 1h · serves 6

A bowl of Greek soupa kritharaki orzo soup

Orzo SoupSoupa kritharaki Σούπα κριθαράκιSoups · 40m · serves 4

A bowl of Greek red lentil soup with cumin and a drizzle of olive oil

Red Lentil SoupSoupa fakes kokkines Σούπα φακές κόκκινεςSoups · 40m · serves 4

Yogurt straining through cloth over a bowl, whey collecting below

How to Make Strained Greek Yogurt at HomeGiaourti stragisto Γιαούρτι στραγγιστόDips and Sauces · 10m · serves 6

A round Greek Christopsomo Christmas bread with a decorative dough cross

Christmas BreadChristopsomo ΧριστόψωμοBreads and Pies · 1h 45m · serves 12

A jar of Greek kydoni glyko quince spoon sweet, deep amber red

Quince Spoon SweetKydoni glyko Κυδώνι γλυκόDesserts · 2h 10m · serves 16

A jar of Greek vissino glyko sour cherry spoon sweet

Sour Cherry Spoon SweetVyssino glyko Βύσσινο γλυκόDesserts · 1h 45m · serves 16

A glass of ouzo turned milky white with water and ice

Ouzo Serving GuideOuzo ΟύζοDrinks · 5m · serves 4

A bowl of Greek angourodomata cucumber and tomato salad

Simple Greek Cucumber and Tomato SaladAngourodomata ΑγγουροντομάταSalads · 10m · serves 4

A bowl of Greek karotosalata grated carrot salad with garlic

Grated Carrot SaladKarotosalata ΚαροτοσαλάταSalads · 15m · serves 4

Golden fried Greek patatokeftedes potato fritters

Potato FrittersPatatokeftedes ΠατατοκεφτέδεςSide Dishes · 50m · serves 6

Aubergine-wrapped Greek dolmades in tomato sauce

Aubergine-Wrapped Rice RollsDolmades me melitzana Ντολμάδες με μελιτζάναMain Courses · 1h 30m · serves 6

A bowl of smoky Greek melitzanosalata dip with charred aubergine skin nearby

Charcoal-Smoked Aubergine DipMelitzanosalata kapnisti Μελιτζανοσαλάτα καπνιστήDips and Sauces · 45m · serves 6

Greek loukaniko sausage braised in red wine sauce

Sausage Braised in WineLoukaniko krasato Λουκάνικο κρασάτοMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

A jar of Greek nerantzi glyko candied bitter orange peel

Bitter Orange Spoon SweetNerantzaki glyko Νεραντζάκι γλυκόDesserts · 2h 30m · serves 16

A jar of Greek melitzanaki glyko candied baby aubergine spoon sweet

Candied Baby Aubergine Spoon SweetMelitzanaki glyko Μελιτζανάκι γλυκόDesserts · 2h 15m · serves 16

A glass of Greek Metaxa brandy served neat

Metaxa Serving GuideMetaxa ΜεταξάDrinks · 5m · serves 4

A small chilled glass of Chios mastiha liqueur

Mastiha Liqueur Serving GuideMastiha ΜαστίχαDrinks · 5m · serves 4

Greek amygdalota almond macaroons dusted in icing sugar

Almond MacaroonsAmygdalota ΑμυγδαλωτάDesserts · 50m · serves 12

A tray of Greek moustokouloura grape must ring cookies

Grape Must CookiesMoustokouloura ΜουστοκούλουραDesserts · 50m · serves 16

A slice of Greek galatopita custard pie dusted with cinnamon

Custard Pie Without PhylloGalatopita ΓαλατόπιταDesserts · 1h · serves 8

A bowl of Greek rizogalo rice pudding dusted with cinnamon

Rice PuddingRizogalo ΡυζόγαλοDesserts · 50m · serves 6

A pot of Greek moschari kokkinisto beef braised in red tomato sauce

Beef Braised in TomatoMoschari kokkinisto Μοσχάρι κοκκινιστόMain Courses · 2h 35m · serves 6

A dish of Greek kotopoulo giouvetsi chicken and orzo in tomato sauce

Baked Chicken with OrzoKotopoulo giouvetsi Κοτόπουλο γιουβέτσιMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 4

A tray of Greek kollyva memorial wheat decorated with pomegranate and nuts

KollyvaKollyva ΚόλλυβαDesserts · 2h 15m · serves 20

Bars of Greek pastelli sesame and honey candy

Sesame and Honey BarPastelli ΠαστέλιDesserts · 25m · serves 12

A bowl of Greek katiki Domokou soft cheese spread with olive oil

Soft Fresh Cheese SpreadKatiki Domokou Κατίκι ΔομοκούDips and Sauces · 15m · serves 6

A pan of Greek spetzofai sausage and pepper stew

Sausage and Pepper StewSpetzofai ΣπετζοφάιMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

A loaf of Greek elioti olive bread, sliced

Olive BreadElioti (Eliopsomo) ΕλιόψωμοBreads and Pies · 1h 5m · serves 10

A pan of Greek mydia saganaki mussels in tomato and feta sauce

Mussels in Tomato and Feta SauceMydia saganaki Μύδια σαγανάκιMeze and Appetisers · 40m · serves 4

A tray of Greek kataifi shredded pastry and walnut rolls in syrup

KataifiKataifi ΚανταΐφιDesserts · 1h 15m · serves 12

A dish of Greek ekmek kataifi with custard and whipped cream

Custard and Cream Kataifi CakeEkmek kataifi Έκμεκ κανταΐφιDesserts · 1h 15m · serves 10

A sliced Greek kormos no-bake chocolate biscuit log

KormosKormos ΚορμόςDesserts · 30m · serves 12

A bowl of Greek skordalia me psomi bread-based garlic dip

Bread-Based Garlic DipSkordalia me psomi Σκορδαλιά με ψωμίDips and Sauces · 20m · serves 6

A whole baked Greek tsipoura sea bream with lemon and herbs

Whole Baked Sea BreamTsipoura psiti Τσιπούρα ψητήMain Courses · 40m · serves 2

A dish of Greek kalamari gemisto stuffed squid in tomato sauce

Stuffed Whole SquidKalamari gemisto Καλαμάρι γεμιστόMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 4

A dish of Greek feta psiti me ntomata baked feta with tomato

Baked Feta with TomatoFeta psiti me ntomata Φέτα ψητή με ντομάταMeze and Appetisers · 35m · serves 4

Lemon PotatoesPatates lemonates Πατάτες λεμονάτεςSide Dishes · 1h 35m · serves 6

Sour Cherry CordialVyssinada ΒυσσινάδαDrinks · 5m · serves 1

Baked Fish with VegetablesPsari plaki Ψάρι πλακίMain Courses · 1h 15m · serves 4

Lamb and Lettuce in AvgolemonoArni fricassee Αρνί φρικασέMain Courses · 2h · serves 6

Lamb with Artichokes in AvgolemonoArni me anginares Αρνί με αγκινάρεςMain Courses · 2h 10m · serves 6

Oven Roasted Potatoes with OreganoPatates riganates Πατάτες ριγανάτεςSide Dishes · 1h · serves 4

Raw Grated Courgette SaladKolokithosalata ΚολοκυθοσαλάταSalads · 15m · serves 4

Fisherman's SoupKakavia ΚακαβιάSoups · 1h 10m · serves 6

Grilled Aubergine SkewersSouvlaki melitzanas Σουβλάκι μελιτζάναςMain Courses · 37m · serves 4

Cuttlefish Braised in WineSoupies krasates Σουπιές κρασάτεςMain Courses · 1h 25m · serves 4

Egg and Lemon SauceSaltsa avgolemono Σάλτσα αυγολέμονοDips and Sauces · 15m · serves 6

Eggs with Country SausageAvga me loukaniko Αυγά με λουκάνικοBreakfast Recipes · 17m · serves 2

Plain Chickpea SoupRevithosoupa ΡεβιθόσουπαSoups · 1h 45m · serves 6

Roasted Peppers with Garlic YogurtPiperies me giaourti Πιπεριές με γιαούρτιDips and Sauces · 20m · serves 4

Unripe Walnut Spoon SweetKarydaki glyko Καρυδάκι γλυκόDesserts · 3h · serves 16

Pickled AubergineMelitzanes toursi Μελιτζάνες τουρσίDips and Sauces · 45m · serves 12

Celery Soup with Egg and LemonSoupa selino avgolemono Σούπα σέλινο αυγολέμονοSoups · 1h 55m · serves 6

Boiled Vegetables with Lemon OilVrasta lahanika me ladolemono Βραστά λαχανικά με λαδολέμονοSide Dishes · 45m · serves 4

Lamb and Cheese Baked in ParcelsExohiko ΕξοχικόMain Courses · 1h 40m · serves 4

Minced Meat Phyllo TrianglesBourekakia me kima Μπουρεκάκια με κιμάMeze and Appetisers · 1h 20m · serves 8

Sweet Trahanas Milk PorridgeTrahanas me gala Τραχανάς με γάλαBreakfast Recipes · 17m · serves 2

Plain Greek Rice PilafRizi pilafi Ρύζι πιλάφιSide Dishes · 25m · serves 4

Fried BogueGopes tiganites Γόπες τηγανητέςMain Courses · 30m · serves 4

Plain Fried Courgette FlowersKolokithoanthoi tiganismenoi Κολοκυθοανθοί τηγανισμένοιMeze and Appetisers · 25m · serves 4

Rose Petal Spoon SweetTriantafyllo glyko Τριαντάφυλλο γλυκόDesserts · 1h 20m · serves 16

How to Make PetimeziPetimezi ΠετιμέζιDips and Sauces · 2h 45m · serves 20

Yogurt with Grape Must SyrupYiaourti me petimezi Γιαούρτι με πετιμέζιBreakfast Recipes · 5m · serves 1

Lamb in Cinnamon-Clove SauceArnisio kapama Αρνίσιο καπαμάMain Courses · 2h 25m · serves 6

Halvas FarsalonHalvas Farsalon Χαλβάς ΦαρσάλωνDesserts · 45m · serves 12

Fried Fresh AnchoviesGavros tiganitos Γαύρος τηγανιτόςMeze and Appetisers · 30m · serves 4

Baked Salt Cod in Tomato SauceBakaliaros plaki Μπακαλιάρος πλακίMain Courses · 1h 10m · serves 4

Roasted Eggplant SoupMelitzanosoupa ΜελιτζανόσουπαSoups · 1h 5m · serves 4

Grilled Swordfish SkewersXifias souvlaki Ξιφίας σουβλάκιMain Courses · 40m · serves 4

Octopus with Small PastaHtapodi makaronaki Χταπόδι μακαρονάκιMain Courses · 1h 35m · serves 4

Zucchini Shoots and TendrilsKolokithokorfades ΚολοκυθοκορφάδεςSide Dishes · 35m · serves 4

Chickpeas with SpinachRevithia me spanaki Ρεβίθια με σπανάκιSoups · 1h 35m · serves 5

A tray of spanakopita cut into squares showing green spinach filling under crisp golden phyllo

SpanakopitaSpanakopita ΣπανακόπιταBreads and Pies · 1h 30m · serves 8

A plate of dark boiled greens dressed with olive oil and lemon wedges

HortaHorta vrasta Χόρτα βραστάSide Dishes · 35m · serves 4

A golden spiral tahinopita bread dusted with sesame seeds

Cypriot Lenten Tahini Spiral BreadTahinopita ΤαχινόπιταBreads and Pies · 1h 10m · serves 8

A plate of golden fried Greek revithokeftedes chickpea fritters

Chickpea FrittersRevithokeftedes ΡεβιθοκεφτέδεςMeze and Appetisers · 45m · serves 6

A sliced Greek fanouropita spice cake, dusted with cinnamon

Eggless Spice Cake for Saint FanouriosFanouropita ΦανουρόπιταDesserts · 1h 5m · serves 12

A bowl of Greek giouvarlakia meatball soup in avgolemono sauce

Meatball Soup in AvgolemonoGiouvarlakia ΓιουβαρλάκιαSoups · 1h 15m · serves 6

Golden koulouri Thessalonikis sesame bread rings on a tray

Sesame Bread RingKoulouri Thessalonikis Κουλούρι ΘεσσαλονίκηςBreakfast Recipes · 2h · serves 8

Fried aubergine slices topped with garlic yogurt and paprika butter

Aubergine in Yogurt SauceMelitzanes se saltsa giaourtiou Μελιτζάνες σε σάλτσα γιαουρτιούMain Courses · 55m · serves 4

A glass of Greek portokalada fresh orange drink with ice

Fresh Orange DrinkPortokalada ΠορτοκαλάδαDrinks · 10m · serves 4

A whole roasted Greek galopoula turkey stuffed with chestnut rice filling

Turkey Stuffed with ChestnutsGalopoula gemisti me kastana Γαλοπούλα γεμιστή με κάσταναMain Courses · 5h · serves 12

A plate of Greek ladokouloura olive oil cookies dusted with sugar

Vegan Olive Oil CookiesLadokouloura ΛαδοκούλουραDesserts · 50m · serves 10

A slice of Greek ravani semolina syrup cake dusted with coconut

Semolina Syrup CakeRavani ΡαβανίDesserts · 1h 5m · serves 12

Pork and Celery in Egg-Lemon SauceHirino me selino Χοιρινό με σέλινοMain Courses · 2h 5m · serves 6

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