Edward

Greek Baklava

edward@newsletter.paragraph.com (Edward) — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 11:25:59 GMT

A Greek favorite that makes everyone think you are a master chef and is sooo easy to make!! I taught a Greek friend how to make apple pie and she taught me this fabulous recipe. The phyllo dough for this recipe is found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Add a little lemon zest to the sugar sauce, if desired.

Directions

Instructions Checklist

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F(175 degrees C). Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 inch pan.
Step 2
Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon. Set aside. Unroll phyllo dough. Cut whole stack in half to fit pan. Cover phyllo with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work. Place two sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered. Sprinkle 2 - 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go. The top layer should be about 6 - 8 sheets deep.
Step 3
Using a sharp knife cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan. You may cut into 4 long rows the make diagonal cuts. Bake for about 50 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp.
Step 4
Make sauce while baklava is baking. Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted. Add vanilla and honey. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
Step 5
Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool. Serve in cupcake papers. This freezes well. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up.

Greek Horiatiki Salad

edward@newsletter.paragraph.com (Edward) — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 11:25:23 GMT

This is the one and only Greek salad recipe that you'll ever need! Enjoy this Greek salad for summer BBQs, Greek dinner parties, picnics, and more. Ripe, red tomatoes will yield the best result. Serve with loads of good crusty bread to mop up the gorgeous juices.

Directions

Instructions Checklist

Step 1
Cut your tomatoes into wedges over the bowl that you're serving the salad in, so that any extra juices land in the bowl. Add onion slices. Liberally season with salt and oregano. Mix and allow tomatoes to sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes, up to 2 hours, so that the salt releases the tomatoes' juices.
Step 2
Mix the cucumber, bell pepper, and olives just before serving. Top with feta cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

Avgolemono Soup

edward@newsletter.paragraph.com (Edward) — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 11:24:42 GMT

Avgolemono is one of those soups that I've made many times, but rarely from scratch. It's usually a 'there's nothing in the house' type of thing and made with a carton of broth. Even in its quick-and-easy form it's a delicious and comforting meal, but when you use a fresh whole chicken, it becomes epic. Garnish with parsley and lemon zest.

Directions

Instructions Checklist

Step 1
Place chicken, chopped onion, celery, carrot, bay leaves, and oregano in a large pot. Pour water over the top; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, skimming foam as necessary, until chicken is falling off the bone, 60 to 90 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Transfer chicken to a bowl to cool, strain all vegetables from simmering broth, discard vegetables, and return broth to the pot. Chop cooked chicken meat.
Step 2
Combine 2 cups diced onion, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a large skillet. Cook and stir onion mixture over medium heat until onion is soft, sweet, and golden, 7 to 10 minutes.
Step 3
Stir onion mixture into chicken broth in the pot and set over medium-low heat; add Arborio rice and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until rice is very tender and broth flavors combine, about 45 minutes.
Step 4
Whisk eggs, cayenne pepper, and black pepper together in a bowl; whisk in lemon juice. Slowly pour 1 cup broth mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Add 1 more cup of broth to egg mixture and whisk. Pour egg mixture into broth in the pot, add chopped chicken, and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes more.