#greek-cuisine

#greek-cuisine

Growing up as a Greek American, certain dishes were always part of my family's weekly dinner rotation. My parents used food to help my sister and me connect to our Greek roots, introducing us to dishes like pastitsio (like lasagna, but better), avgolemono soup (similar to chicken noodle), and baklava (a holiday classic). But no recipe is as quick and easy as my dad's Greek meatballs - or keftedes, as we call them. They're the perfect companion to some fries, pasta, or his Greek roasted potatoes.

When the pandemic hit and the US went into lockdown, Garten inspired me to finally improve my skills in the kitchen. And when I briefly moved back in with my parents, they were more than happy to sample my creations. It's since become a tradition, and now I whip up new "Barefoot Contessa" dishes for my parents every time I visit.

Named after the Greek flatbread, Lagana, the group's most casual restaurant, will be led by Group Executive Chef Tzoulio Loulai, who's doing a menu of skewers, flatbreads and small plates, including dishes like: courgette tempura with spiced red pepper sauce savoury loukoumades with graviera cheese fresh anthotiro cheese with thyme and truffle oil charred corn on the cob with yellow chilli butter and cumin salt dry-aged picanha with beef jus lamb kebab with oregano-tomato sauce, cumin yoghurt and roasted fennel

Kleftiko, a Greek classic, is traditionally made with lamb shoulder suited to slow cooking, offering an exceptional tenderness and rich flavour.

Pastitsio is a baked pasta dish with ground meat and a béchamel sauce. It's creamier than a baked ziti and meatier than your classic lasagna.

"I felt like this country gave me so much, I really fell in love with it. A way to give back through food was to educate people about the country and their cuisine and the history, because it's all so intertwined."

The Brooklyn Greek Festival, taking place June 2-8, offers an array of traditional and vegan Greek food, live entertainment, and community festivities.

The restaurant seems to have quickly found its feet and a loyal set of customers as it was already really busy by the time we arrived for our Monday night reservation.

"It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to watch your families grow, celebrate milestones with you, and share in so many meals, laughs and even tears," she wrote. "I've made friendships through Blue Door that I will forever cherish."

Baklava is perhaps one of the most well-known Greek desserts, made with layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and syrup, showcasing unique Greek preparation.

Using lemon and thyme as a marinade elevates the flavors of steak, balancing the meat’s richness with brightness and complexity, resulting in a delicious meal.