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Kefir smoothies: easy-to-make, nutritious & delicious
I was first introduced to kefir a few years ago, while on holidays in Greece. This fermented milk drink is not only rich in nutrients, such as protein, calcium and vitamins, but it also contains probiotics. These live micro-organisms (bacteria and yeasts), often described as ‘good’ or ‘friendly’ bacteria, can have various health benefits. For example, they may help sufferers with indigestion, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and (rather surprisingly) lactose intolerance. Since kefir has recently become widely available in the UK, I’ve started using it in my recipes as a substitute for yogurt or even milk. Inspired by the fresh fruit I had whilst island-hopping in the Cyclades…
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Watermelon & Feta: Mykonos-inspired recipes
In Greece, the flavor combination of watermelon with feta cheese has always been there, so it would hardly be considered a ‘best-kept secret’. One of my childhood memories is my grandmother’s idea of an afternoon snack: a slice of watermelon served with some feta cheese. As a child, however, I never liked the latter, so I would always eat just the watermelon (and leave the feta on the plate). I had my first taste of a watermelon and feta salad a few years ago, when I visited the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos and had dinner at the restaurant ‘Lucky Fish’. It simply tasted of summer. The sweetness of the…
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Recipe: Alex’s portokalopita (orange pie)
Amorgos is one of the Greek islands I’ve recently visited, as well as one of my favorites. Hora, the capital of the island, welcomed me with a palette of colors: blushing bougainvillaeas climbing the walls of white-washed houses and blue-domed churches and chapels, with their doors and window shutters painted blue, red or green, matching the chairs and tables scattered around the cobblestone alleys. Lost in the snarl of these very alleys, I came across Kallisto, an inviting little café-patisserie. I had a slice of portokalopita (orange pie), which was indulgently served with vanilla ice-cream. Returning home, I set to re-create Kallisto’s portokalopita. A quick Google search brought me…