Avgolemono Greek Chicken Lemon Soup Adventure

December 22, 2022 by Alyssa D in main course, appetizers

Juan told us to pick as many ripe lemons as we wanted from his tree in the yard. I gently liberated three. This was an extra kindness since we’d just said that the house wasn’t quite right for us.

Moving from Colorado to Northern California has been wrenching at times, but the fresh lemons represented a silver lining. Amid the delightful food mashups — a taco truck that sells boba tea, curryritos, Indian pizza — we’ve discovered several eateries that offer avgolemono soup.

When prepared well, this Greek chicken and lemon soup is like a cozy sweater.

Springtime Savory Greek Leek Pie Adventure

April 26, 2021 by Alyssa D in appetizers, main course

Snow, again. Much though I’d normally rejoice at the coziness of flurries, this was not a welcome sight in April. Peering through the dining room window at giant flakes mounting on the tree limbs, outdoor chairs, and our battered grill, my exclamations startled the cat.

Forget about planting seeds and sipping rosé in the warm sun. Let’s go get the snow shovel.

On the bright side, the Greek cheese and leek pie from Rena Salaman’s “The Greek Cook: Simple Seasonal Food” felt just right.

Patient Pastitio Adventure

June 25, 2020 by Alyssa D in baking, main course

On a winter hiking trip in high school, I struggled to ascend the steep trail, sweaty and red-faced with an overstuffed pack. An older student saw me falter. She positioned herself directly in front of me and set a slow, methodical pace. Step, breathe, step, breathe.

With everything happening now, that old impatience is resurfacing. I want us, as a people, to get there already — the virus vanquished, systemic racism and bigotry excised, good defeating evil, the environment restored. Our packs are so full.

I realize that this might feel a bit heavy for a fun little food blog. *Takes a deep breath.*

You know what else is heavy? Pastitio.

My Big Fat Greek Bean Adventure

April 14, 2020 by Alyssa D in main course

Spring holidays are normally a time to get together. I wish so badly that you could be here, welcomed with a hug and your drink of choice. Imagine an appetizer spread fit for an army. Dave Brubeck on the speakers. Comforting food smells emanating from pots and pans. Flowers. Fancy cutlery. Cloth napkins.

Instead, I have to hold onto this precious dream for a time when it’s safe to come out. In the meantime, we’ve held onto each other in our tiny kitchen. And gotten creative with limited ingredients.

Greek Breakfast Pitas Adventure

November 17, 2019 by Alyssa D in breakfast, sides

Eating the Greek breakfast wrap at the farmers market required sitting down — and both hands.

It was the perfect flavor combination and surprisingly affordable, too. Lemony potatoes spread on a giant warm pita piled with seasoned scrambled eggs, chicken gyro strips, fresh spinach, crumbled feta, tomatoes, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce.

Then one year the Mediterranean food stand failed to return. I was on my own.

Dad’s Greek Bread Adventure

January 17, 2019 by Alyssa D in baking

During my first spring living in Colorado, I opened a box that my dad had overnighted from Vermont. After opening the flaps, I breathed in the most glorious smell of fresh Greek bread. Dad sent me two of the precious loaves he’d made.

Our family’s recipe for Greek bread makes four loaves or one large braided vasilopita — a special New Year’s version covered in powdered sugar that hides a lucky coin. When my mom typed it up ages ago, the recipe spanned multiple pages. Since then, more notations emerged.

I’d never attempted it. This holiday season, however, I asked Dad to teach me how. This lesson would be his present to me. So, on my birthday, we got to work.

Mastiha Liqueur Adventure

January 10, 2019 by Alyssa D in drinks

Mom texted me from the liquor store in Vermont. They had three bottles of a mastiha liqueur brand that had become impossible to get in Colorado. Did I want one? We’d finished off ours during the “house cooling” party to send off the old apartment.

What is mastiha? After a few minutes of trying to describe the crystalized Mediterranean tree resin that generally comes from the Greek island of Chios, I’d just remove the stopper so guests could smell the unusual ingredient.

To me, the slightly woody and citrusy flavor is synonymous with joy. It reminds me of how the whole house smells after my dad bakes his famous Greek bread. Tasting the liqueur recalls the refreshing cocktail my mom created. Everything about mastiha says, “Slow down. Relax. Let’s just sit here a while.”

Basically the opposite of how I felt in Vermont when finally holding the white bottle that Mom had given us for Christmas and pondering how to get it back to Colorado.