This recipe is one of my favorites. It is one of my key dishes. I've been doing it for many years, especially when I was a student in Heraklion, so my home was always full of friends wanting to be fed. Even now, after so many years, whenever I meet old comrades, the first thing they ask me is: "When will we find a rabbit?"This recipe is one of my favorites. It is one of my key dishes. I've been doing it for many years, especially when I was a student in Heraklion, so my home was always full of friends wanting to be fed. Even now, after so many years, whenever I meet old comrades, the first thing they ask me is: "When will we find a rabbit?"
LAMB IN RED SAUCE
Much has been written in recent years about the Cretan diet, its wealth, its simplicity and its ingenuity, that it is based on simple materials overflowing with love for the place and a commitment to traditional cooking.Much has been written in recent years about the Cretan diet, its wealth, its simplicity and its ingenuity, that it is based on simple materials overflowing with love for the place and a commitment to traditional cooking.
SPRING GOAT WITH FENNEL AND POTATOES
I usually write a text for you to accompany my recipes, but today I didn't want to write anything specific, I just wanted to focus on good materials. Good raw ingredients that can make a world of difference to our food. A kid goat from the mountains of Kavousios, wild fennel gathered near the beach of Tholos and early red tomatoes. These are the ingredients and nothing else. Just like that…I usually write a text for you to accompany my recipes, but today I didn't want to write anything specific, I just wanted to focus on good materials. Good raw ingredients that can make a world of difference to our food. A kid goat from the mountains of Kavousios, wild fennel gathered near the beach of Tholos and early red tomatoes. These are the ingredients and nothing else. Just like that…
RABBIT STEW
Rabbit is white, tender meat, low in fat and cholesterol and is healthy and nutritious and low in calories and is especially beneficial for those who care about their silhouette.Rabbit is white, tender meat, low in fat and cholesterol and is healthy and nutritious and low in calories and is especially beneficial for those who care about their silhouette.
CRETAN APAKI WITH COUS COUS
In Crete, it was customary for every family in the village to raise a pig, the "pig", as they called it. The pig was usually slaughtered on Christmas Eve and was the main dish of the season.In Crete, it was customary for every family in the village to raise a pig, the "pig", as they called it. The pig was usually slaughtered on Christmas Eve and was the main dish of the season.
MUTTON WITH HANDMADE PASTA
The Cretans are known for their love for "exotic" meats, that is, for sheep and goats and more for their love of yogurt. Mutton is last years’ lamb that has not yet given birth.The Cretans are known for their love for "exotic" meats, that is, for sheep and goats and more for their love of yogurt. Mutton is last years’ lamb that has not yet given birth.
RABBIT WITH POTATOES IN THE OVEN
In Crete rabbit is a beloved meat and is often used. In another recipe I talked about its benefits (tender meat, low fat) and its nutritional value.In Crete rabbit is a beloved meat and is often used. In another recipe I talked about its benefits (tender meat, low fat) and its nutritional value.
PORK WITH PURSLANE
When I am in my village I get used to walking in the streets and picking up scents from blooming gardens with oranges, lemons and orange blossoms, from fishermen in the yards to roses, gardenia, hibiscus, carnations and bougainvilleas, flowerpots and ornamentals with basil, calendula, molasses and hydrangeas. Colors and aromas sung about by the traditional Cretan musician Nikos Xylouris.When I am in my village I get used to walking in the streets and picking up scents from blooming gardens with oranges, lemons and orange blossoms, from fishermen in the yards to roses, gardenia, hibiscus, carnations and bougainvilleas, flowerpots and ornamentals with basil, calendula, molasses and hydrangeas. Colors and aromas sung about by the traditional Cretan musician Nikos Xylouris.
PORK BELLY ‘CAPRICO’ WITH LEMON
‘Caprico’ is the male pork meat that we bake in the oven with a specific process with small variations from place to place and from house to house. A recipe we find in Crete, mainly in the Heraklion area, from those times when the pig was brought home with other animals. The most well-known custom in Crete and all over Greece with pork is the Christmas carcasses. ‘Caprico’ is easy to manufacture and relies on all the Cretan diet for good raw material.‘Caprico’ is the male pork meat that we bake in the oven with a specific process with small variations from place to place and from house to house. A recipe we find in Crete, mainly in the Heraklion area, from those times when the pig was brought home with other animals. The most well-known custom in Crete and all over Greece with pork is the Christmas carcasses. ‘Caprico’ is easy to manufacture and relies on all the Cretan diet for good raw material.
BAKED LAMB
August for Greeks is the month of the Virgin Mary, as she is remembered and commemorated on the celebration of Assumption of the Virgin Mary on the 15th August. Thousands of faithful, with souls full of hope and devotion, are counting on countless pilgrimages, where the miraculous images of the Magnificent are being harnessed to cast their own favor on her grace.
BEEF OR VEAL WITH PASTA PELLETS IN THE OVEN
Beef or veal with pasta pellets in the oven is a traditional Sunday meal for the whole family. It’s an adorable Greek dish which is enjoyed steaming hot with friends at lunchtime.Beef or veal with pasta pellets in the oven is a traditional Sunday meal for the whole family. It’s an adorable Greek dish which is enjoyed steaming hot with friends at lunchtime.
‘APAKI’ PORK WITH LEEKS
Crete is a place of blessing, full of values that traditions carry on its back, famous for its hospitality, its distinctly flavorful products and not forgetting the good Cretan meat. Crete is a place of blessing, full of values that traditions carry on its back, famous for its hospitality, its distinctly flavorful products and not forgetting the good Cretan meat.
LAMB WITH WILD GREENS (DANDELION LEAVES)
Stamnagathi (dandelion leaves) is one of the standard elements of the Cretan diet. It is one of the top wild greens since it grows everywhere and anywhere with remarkable nutrition, rich in minerals, trace elements and vitamins. It usually grows in winter in nature but today you’ll find it all season round from greenhouses and hydroponic crops.Stamnagathi (dandelion leaves) is one of the standard elements of the Cretan diet. It is one of the top wild greens since it grows everywhere and anywhere with remarkable nutrition, rich in minerals, trace elements and vitamins. It usually grows in winter in nature but today you’ll find it all season round from greenhouses and hydroponic crops.
GOAT IN RED SAUCE WITH PASTA
On my feast day, Saint Nektarios' Day, the preparations start from the night before. In the morning I don't know what to prepare for the friends I expect to come in the afternoon. My mobile rings all day with people wishing me happy name day and my friends send messages on Facebook which I have to reply to too and I never know if I can finally get it all done.On my feast day, Saint Nektarios' Day, the preparations start from the night before. In the morning I don't know what to prepare for the friends I expect to come in the afternoon. My mobile rings all day with people wishing me happy name day and my friends send messages on Facebook which I have to reply to too and I never know if I can finally get it all done.
RABBIT STEW
From antiquity to the present day hare hunting has been a favorite pastime of Cretan residents. Once upon a time, people hunted for survival and much of their food was to be found in nature.From antiquity to the present day hare hunting has been a favorite pastime of Cretan residents. Once upon a time, people hunted for survival and much of their food was to be found in nature.
CRETAN ‘APAKI’ PORK
‘Apaki’ is one of the most delicate, delicious, fragrant, delectable pork used in traditional sausages. It has deep traditional roots for human survival and the need to preserve and consume meat. It owes its distinct taste to the good raw material and the way it is prepared. It is mainly made from fat-free cuts of pork which are very tender and the leg.‘Apaki’ is one of the most delicate, delicious, fragrant, delectable pork used in traditional sausages. It has deep traditional roots for human survival and the need to preserve and consume meat. It owes its distinct taste to the good raw material and the way it is prepared. It is mainly made from fat-free cuts of pork which are very tender and the leg.
PORK IN THEOVEN
One of the most special, rich and festive tables of the year set at every home is the Christmas table. Housewives prepare the food and décor days in advance and following their faith and traditions and the Christian spirit they make sure that their choices are such as to best celebrate the great feast.One of the most special, rich and festive tables of the year set at every home is the Christmas table. Housewives prepare the food and décor days in advance and following their faith and traditions and the Christian spirit they make sure that their choices are such as to best celebrate the great feast.
STUFFED COCKEREL FOR THE NEW YEAR’S EVE TABLE
LAMB WITH ‘ANTHOGALA’
The twelve-day cycle of Christmas, New Year's and the Light celebrations closes with St. John's Day on January 7th. This is the first celebration on the calendar and it’s for those with the name Giannis. The name is celebrated several times a year because the name John is given after Christ’s apostle John the Baptist. There is also John the Theologian, Chrysostom, the Eleon, the Russian, the Sinai and many other forms in Orthodox religion.The twelve-day cycle of Christmas, New Year's and the Light celebrations closes with St. John's Day on January 7th. This is the first celebration on the calendar and it’s for those with the name Giannis. The name is celebrated several times a year because the name John is given after Christ’s apostle John the Baptist. There is also John the Theologian, Chrysostom, the Eleon, the Russian, the Sinai and many other forms in Orthodox religion.
PIGS TROTTERS WITH BULGUR WHEAT
Crunchy Bulgur wheat, because of its sour taste, is the ideal Cretan soup for the cold winter days. The partially cooked then dried coarse wheat also includes sheep's or goat's milk.Crunchy Bulgur wheat, because of its sour taste, is the ideal Cretan soup for the cold winter days. The partially cooked then dried coarse wheat also includes sheep's or goat's milk.