Psomi Spitiko ~ Easy Homemade Greek Bread

Easy Homemade Greek Bread ~ Psomi Sitiko In Greek: ψωμί σπιτικό, pronounced psoh-MEE spee-tee-KOH

This is the bread that I made the other day in my post about Greek-Style ribs  (and here.)  I've made it a total of four times in the past few weeks ~ it's the kind of bread usually found at the Greek Festivals I have attended.  It's a very good plain bread (not sweet) and the texture is agreeably soft, good plain at room temperature, it's delicious warmed or toasted too.

For breakfast or a snack with tea a little jam or honey is delightful
I like the recipe because it makes 2 smallish loaves,  each weighing about a pound, and the dough doesn't require two risings so you can have delicious fresh bread in a little over an hour. Because of the unique method of making this bread  using an electric bread maker would be problematic. But it is really easy to make ~ you can do the entire recipe by hand, or use a stand mixer.
  

The technique is a little different than most traditional bread recipes in that you mix about one-half the total amount of flour with warm water, yeast, olive oil and salt in a bowl, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic film and allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Then mix in the remaining flour (I use the dough hook) on the stand mixer, then just knead in a bit more flour so the dough is not overly sticky, dividing the dough into two pieces and form each into any shape you like. 
After making it a couple of times I found that I prefer the dough a bit stickier than most bread doughs for the best texture (you'll need to flour your hands and work surface well.)
Place on parchment lined baking sheet  -- at this point you may slash top of dough for a little higher rise, or brush with water and sprinkle or apply sesame seeds with your fingertips.


And the most unique aspect of the recipe is that the shaped  dough is immediately placed into a cold oven.  The oven is turned on to 425º(F) / 220º(C),  the dough actually makes it's second rise IN the oven, as it is  heating up.  Bake time is about 30 minutes.  My ovens run a little hot so I begin checking at 20 minutes.
If you give this one a try, I hope you like it as much as we do.
Recipe and instructions can be found here.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
xo ~mari

Those Fabulous Greek-Style Ribs

I've posted about these delicious ribs before  it one of my favorite recipes for baby back pork ribs. (I don't post pictures of them each time I make them because we do have them rather frequently.)  :0)

As I explained in my previous post about these succulent rib, I got the recipe from my friend Ann of Thibeault's Table --if you click the link you can get the recipe.



The method is quite simple ~ you make a rub of salt, pepper, oregano, garlic, olive oil and lemon zest, rub it into the baby back pork ribs and allow them to rest in the refrigerator. If I have planned ahead I do this the day before I am going to grill them, but if you only have a few hours, that will do.
Shortly before grilling, squeeze lemon juice over the ribs (don't do this part very far in advance or the acid in the lemon juice will alter the texture of the rib meat.)

Another thing that I always do to any ribs I am going to prepare is to remove the tough membrane from the bone side of the ribs. This allows the rub/marinade to penetrate the meat more throughly, and the membrane is not pleasant to eat anyway.


In this image I've already removed it ---  it can be stubborn, but if you begin at one edge and  get it started it usually will peel off in one sheet. (You can use a dry kitchen cloth or paper towel to assist in getting a good grip on the membrane.)


Then just grill as directed in the recipe~ you can also bake them in a 375º to 400º(F) oven. (I like them best when grilled, but in a pinch . . .)



This time I served them with a Greek-style pasta salad; Pasta, Feta cheese, Cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives,  orange bell pepper, roasted eggplant, cucumber, purple onion and parsley, tossed with a red wine vinegar vinaigrette. I can make a meal out of the salad alone (sometimes I add some grilled shrimp to the salad and serve it as a main course.)



I also made some Greek bread to go with the meal, very good. The kind that's usually served at the Greek Festivals I've attended. Soft, but not like 'bubble gum' bread. The sesame seeds are optional but I always make one loaf with, and one without. It's also good as sandwich bread and is marvelous toasted, too.   I'll share that recipe in the next few days.



The rub/marinade is also really good on prawns, fish and chicken, you only need to allow those to marinade for 20 minutes to an hour before adding the lemon juice.

Thanks for stopping by ~ Bon Appetit!
~~mari

Spaghetti (or Fettuccine) with Brown Butter Sauce

Yes, it's an easy, no brainer classic that I adore. :)
Goes together in well under 30 minutes: Just make the brown butter, cook the pasta al dente, sprinkle the cheese over the hot, drained pasta and pour the browned butter over all and toss, then serve hot. I usually add a little of the hot water from the pasta pot to loosen the sauce a little. 
It's soo good! I usually serve this alongside grilled fish or chicken ~ unless I am making a variation of the recipe (adding cooked shrimp, fish, or chicken to the noodles, see more suggestions listed below.)  If you're cutting carbs the sauce also works well with cooked Spaghetti squash.
This is another of those simple recipe that I keep in my head.  However, I prepare the recipe nearly the same way as this one , except I usually add a little of the caramel colored milk solids from the bottom of the pan to the noodles (personal preference.) This time I added some finely grated lemon zest and served little lemon slices so each one can add a squeeze if they wanted to.
If you cannot find the Greek Mizithra cheese,  grated Romano, Ricotta Salada, or Parmesan can be substituted in a pinch.
Yum, I love this stuff!

Never made a Brown Butter Sauce, or need to improve your technique?
Elise at Simply Recipes shares a wonderful picture tutorial on the subject.
And Mark Bittmann offers up at least a dozen variations for Pasta with Butter sauce. You may want to check out  his suggestions over on his web site. 
The following are just some examples to launch from this simple buttered spaghetti (or fettuccine) dish.
Add in one or a couple of the following:
Sage (or any favorite fresh herb or a mixture) and Parmesan Vegetables, Cream and Parmesan Parmesan and pancetta, coppa, prosciutto or regular ham Frozen peas, thawed Toasted almonds, walnuts or pistachios Capers Thinly sliced garlic cloves Blanched broccoli or cauliflower Soft fried eggs, chopped Roasted garlic cloves, mashed Cooked prawns, salmon, or chicken, etc.
There are so many ideas and I'm sure you can come up with lots of your own as well.
But it's really delicious just plain as in the original recipe  (and kids happen to love it that way, too!)

Thank you for stopping by today ~ I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
Blessings ~ Mari xo

A Twist on Moussaka ~ Greece Meets France!

Greece meets France in this twist I devised as a shortcut for the Greek dish Moussaka, using what I had on hand  (most noticeably not enough eggplant to make the traditional Greek version!)
Instead, with some odds and ends of fresh vegetables from the  late harvest I made a batch of oven roasted Ratatouille, then proceeded with an adaptation of Moussaka.

Ratatouille ~ deliciously French!
I don't really use an exact recipe for ratatouille and that's just  what I love about dishes like this ~the option of adapting it to  suit ones own taste (or according to what combinations  of vegetables you happen to have.)

You see in the photo from back to front: Red and Green Bell Peppers, Onion, whole garlic cloves and Zucchini, Slender purple eggplant and ripe tomato chunks.

That being said, I prepare oven roasted Ratatouille  much like this as found on about.com/French Food.
It's wonderful to have a bowl of this savory treat in the fridge; good on toasted baguette slices, as a topping  or base for scrambled or fried eggs, as a side dish with fowl or meats, or main dish with grains, rice, or pasta.
 If it's not served warm, it's really best at room temperature so take it out of the refrigerator about 45 minutes to an hour before serving.

Moussaka ~ Delightfully Greek!
This time when making moussaka, instead of the usual eggplant  (or combination of eggplant and potatoes) as the vegetable layers  I used the ratatouille as the base layer, then a layer of spiced, sauteed minced lamb (you can use ground beef, or a mix of lamb and beef). I've seen versions omitting the meat altogether.


Right out of the oven.  (It serves more neatly if allowed to cool for 20 to 30 minutes.)

Over the meat another layer of the ratatouille,  and finally topped with a layer Bechamel sauce  ( medium-thick white sauce) and a dusting of grated  Parmesan cheese. The Parmesan cheese sprinkle on the  Bechamel sauce develops an appetizing golden brown while baking.
Keeper!! This can be assembled ahead and refrigerated until baking time; and it reheats well, too.
Using the ratatouille for the veggie(s) may not be "real" moussaka, but it is very, very good!

If you would like a recipe for authentic Greek Moussaka, this one is a favorite.  (I'm not sure I'll go back though!)

Thank you for stopping by today!
Blessings ~ m. xo

Pork Souvlaki

Traditional Greek souvlaki is made with lamb, but you can also use pork, chicken, beef, or fish (most often swordfish.)

I chose pork this time because I had a couple of boneless pork loin chops in the refrigerator. The marinade is very simple (you don't need a recipe for this one.) Fresh lemon juice, garlic (minced), oregano, olive oil and salt and pepper. If you like garlic add lots!

Mix the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Cut the meat into bite-size chunks, salt and pepper generously, then toss it into a non-reactive bowl or sealable food storage bag, pour marinade over and allow to marinate for up to two hours. Much longer than that and the enzyme action between the lemon juice and meat protein will begin to "cook" the meat, producing an odd texture when grilled.

Thread the meat chunks on the skewers (add vegetables in between each piece if you like-- I used red onion pieces and cherry tomatoes), brush skewers with some of the remaining marinade. Discard unused marinade. Place skewers on hot grill, turning occasionally until meat is done. You can also cook them on a stovetop grill, your oven broiler, or even in a panini maker.

The souvlaki can be served plain, right from the skewer, or wrapped in pita bread with a little traditional (cucumber-yogurt) tatziki sauce, or on a plate along with Greek-style fried potatoes. I served these with a Greek salad, and some lemon scented rice this time.

They are so delicious, we could easily enjoy them a couple of times a month. If you give them a try I hope you like, too.

Thanks for stopping by today ~ and Happy Wednesday everyone! xo~m.

Greek-Style Rotisserie Lamb and 50% Whole Wheat Pita Sandwiches

Forget the overly-sweet mint sauce ~  
There is something about the Greek way of grilling lamb, marinated in lemon, garlic, salt, pepper and fragrant dried oregano, that makes it irresistible and utterly delicious.
The anticipation (and aroma) while the spit slowly turns is part of the pleasure . . .  knowing that there will be a fine meal to come.  
This time I selected a smallish 4+ pound bone-in leg, minus the shank portion, I like to roast it slowly for maximum juiciness and flavor, so I use the 'indirect method' of roasting the meat on the Weber gas grill. (Front and back burner on medium heat, center burner in the off position.)



To go along, I served lemon-scented orzo with toasted pine nuts, and one of my favorite summer salads ~ Greek, with lots of goodies from the veggie garden; red tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, herbs as well as some marinated locally produced Feta cubes, a mix of Greek olives, and onion, all tossed with a fragrant red wine vinegar & herb vinaigrette.
It is one of my favorite meals, we don't have it often and we really savor it when we do.


HOWEVER . . .
The thing about lamb is that I don't find it anywhere near as appealing when served as leftovers.  Unless, that is,  it's thinly sliced, gently warmed and served in warm pita pocket bread with lots of other flavorful goodies tucked in.
Where I live the freshest pita bread comes from my own oven ~ If you've never made it you might be surprised to learn how fun and easy it is to make your own.  This time I used 50%  00 Italian flour and 50% home-milled whole wheat flour.




You can use a bread machine, stand mixer, or food processor to make the dough, or mix it by hand if you prefer.  (There is a link at the bottom of the page for the pita bread recipe.)
As I mentioned,  I'm not so fond of lamb leftovers, so when making a lamb roast, I always plan on making pita bread too, for the leftovers.  


(See the grapes in the background?  We planted the vines three years ago and this is the first crop!)  Can you tell I'm excited?!  :D  They are so sweet and juicy . . . wish I could share some with you.
When assembling the stuffed pita sandwiches I add lots of other flavorful goodies and just a few thin slices of the warmed lamb.
Slices of red and yellow tomatoes, cucumbers, and baby salad greens from the garden (see below.) Thin slices of sweet purple onion, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki (cucumber & garlic, and sometimes dill, in plain yogurt)  then sprinkled with  ground Sumac* to add a bright finish.  
Incidentally, this is the first year I've grown this particular variety of yellow tomatoes; the name is 'Lemon Boy' ~ I highly recommend!  Medium to medium-large size they are bright yellow, meaty and juicy with few seeds and a nice, mild low-acid flavor.Yum!  You might keep them in mind for next year.

*Sumac?  I love that stuff! It's delicious sprinkled on vegetables eggs, rice & other grains, pizza, chicken, fish and any kind of meat. Just a little sprinkle before serving really adds a nice bright flavor, to almost anything. It's slightly lemony and not spicy at all.

As many of you know our property is located in thickly wooded forest land ~ so most of our vegetables and herbs are raised in raised beds and containers.  
One of the things I like to plant each spring is a large container of baby mixed salad greens, I keep this one on the back deck near the kitchen door.  This one grows well under a huge Douglas Fir tree which the deck was built around.
 You can cut a few leaves from each plant and they will continue to grow, or you cut the entire plant and grow another pot or two, each two weeks apart, for successive harvests. The other advantage of planting these tender lettuces in pots is that you can move them to the shade in the hottest part of the day to prevent them from bolting (going to seed) prematurely.
(My kitty is old and she doesn't climb up to sample the greens, but it you have active pets, you might want to elevate the pots.)


I picked this particular mixed packet of seeds at a local (& ordinary) hardware store/nursery.    This one is offered by Plantation Products (in MA.), it's called "Italian Salad Blend" and contains 6 different Italian lettuces:
AttrazioneBiondaFoglia di Quercia RossaFreckles  :)Meraviglia delle quattro StagioneRossa di Trento
Along with other Italian varieties of greens: Arugula Chicory: Pallo Rossa & Castelfranco Endive: di ruffec & Cornetto di BordeauxSpinach: Riccio d'Asti & Gigante d'InvernoSwiss Chard: Argentata 

You can allow the plant to grow to full mature size, but I prefer to harvest when the leaves are small and tender.  We liked the variety, and I would definitely plant this mix again.



I'll miss you Greek Salad ~ It won't be much longer until we have to say good-bye until next summer.  (By the way, this salad is also fabulous tucked into a pita pocket either plain or with some tzatziki spooned over, and you can add tuna, sliced chicken, sliced hard cooked egg, etc. to add protein.)


If you would like the recipe for the 50% Whole Wheat Pita bread, you'll find it over on the OUaP recipe blog, click here.

Thanks for stopping by friends! I hope you have a very nice weekend.
Until next time!  ~m

Preserved Grape Leaves ~ Lacto-Fermented

Soon it will be harvest time here and one of the things I like to preserve are grape leaves; harvested before they turn color in autumn and fall from the vine.

The leaves picked in spring are more tender, but since my grape vines are young I prefer the leaves stay with the vine during the growing season. As the vines become more prolific I'll switch to harvesting the leaves in the spring.

My favorite way of serving the preserved leaves is to use them as an edible wrapper for stuffing, for such things as Dolmas/Dolmades:


Photo credit: igourmet.com (Click image to learn more.)

Dolmas are stuffed grape leaves; a traditional component of a Greek mezé ~ or appetizer assortment, I serve them as a side dish or snack as well.

They can be stuffed with a number of things; rice or bulgur (cracked wheat), onion, pine nuts, currants, seasonings such as dill or mint, a touch of cinnamon, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Yum!

For the leaves, you can cook and can the freshly plucked leaves so they are shelf stable, or do it the way I prefer. Simply soak them in a '3-ingredient' lacto-fermentation brine, pack them in a jar and allow them to ferment for a day or three on the kitchen counter then refrigerate until ready to use as you wish.

I like to pick the leaves (organically grown only) in the cool of the early morning, submerge in cool water to freshen, then wash in fresh cool water and drain.

The ingredients for the lacto-fermentation brine are:

about 2 cups filtered water

1/4 cup whey
1 tablespoon sea salt

And, of course, you'll need some fresh, tender grape leaves (organically grown)

This time I picked 32 leaves--but the amount is up to you, just increase the amount of brine if you use more leaves.

Note: If you don't happen to have whey on hand, add an additional tablespoon of salt.

Mix up the brine ingredients, making sure salt is dissolved. Place the leaves in a non-metallic vessel (good quality enamel lined, or glass), and pour the brine over the leaves.

Allow to marinate at room temperature for about an hour ~

Then stack the leaves neatly one upon another and roll the lot from the stem end to the tip (see note below) and place them in an impeccably clean quart size canning jar.

Pour the marinating brine over, adding additional filtered water in order to cover leaves if necessary. Allow about a 1-inch headspace between leaves/brine and jar lid.

Instead of one BIG roll of leaves, I prefer to make stacks of 8 to 12 leaves and roll each so I have smaller rolls, then pack them into jar(s) and pour the brine over.

Then allow to sit at room temperature (out of sunlight) for 24 to 74 hours, at which point fermentation will have begun to develop, then refrigerate for longer storage.

Over time the leaves will darken and become more pliable which is exactly what you're aiming for. When I make the dolmas/dolmades I will post about them, so please stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you'd like a recipe for Dolmas you can click the tab below to visit

Foodista:

Greek Dolma

Thanks so much for stopping by today, friends.