Sweet Baklava (33 page)

Baked Tomatoes and Feta

Ophelia's notes: Perfect appetizer for any family gathering.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds cherry or grape tomatoes
  
• 8 ounces feta cheese
  
• ¾ cup olive oil
  
• ½ cup fresh basil
  
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  

Directions:

1. Soak garlic in olive oil for 20-30 minutes.
   
2. Cut tomatoes in half and place them in a baking dish.
   
3. Pour olive oil and garlic over the tomatoes and toss. Spread out into a single layer.
   
4. Bake in 375 degree oven for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from oven.
   
5. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and basil leaves over the tomatoes. Stir.
   
6. Serve with slices of Greek or Italian bread.
   

Ursa's Greek Wedding Cookies

Ursa's notes: Any time these wedding cookies are served is a happy occasion. Opa!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of butter
  
• ¼ cup sugar
  
• 1 egg yolk
  
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1 tablepoon brandy
  
• 1 tablepoon vanilla
  
• ½ cup chopped pecans
  
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  
• Powdered sugar
  

Directions:

1. Whip the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy.
   
2. Slowly add the sugar, egg yolk, brandy, and vanilla while still mixing.
   
3. Sift the flour and baking powder. Fold dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
   
4. Slowly add chopped nuts, a few at a time.
   
5. Scoop tablespoon-size balls of dough and roll into balls.
   
6. Place the balls on the baking sheet approximately 2 inches apart.
   
7. Bake for approximately 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until golden brown.
   
8. Cool slightly then dust heavily with powdered sugar while still warm.
   

Pilafi
(rice)

Apollo's notes: Offer with any entrée.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked rice
  
• ½ cup butter
  
• 5 cups chicken stock
  
• 2 teaspoon salt
  

Directions:

1. Melt butter on medium in a large pan.
   
2. Brown the uncooked rice in the butter.
   
3. Add the chicken stock and salt. Stir. Bring to a boil.
   
4. Turn down the heat, cover, and simmer for approximately 20 minutes.
   

Kafes
(Greek coffee)

Phoebe's notes: Warn visitors that this is stronger than American coffee.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
  
• 10 lumps sugar
  
• 5 tablespoon ground coffee
  

Directions:

1. Boil the water in a heavy pot.
   
2. Add the sugar and coffee. Stir.
   
3. Remove from heat and skim the foam. Put some of the foam to the side for later.
   
4. Return the pot to the heat and bring to a boil again. Skim the foam and reserve. Repeat.
   
5. Spoon some of the foam into demitasse cups.
   
6. Pour the coffee over the foam.
   
7. Serve with dessert or on its own.
   

Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Ophelia's notes: Easy to cook. The kids love these potatoes with chicken.

Ingredients:

• 5 large peeled and quartered white potatoes
  
• Juice from 1 large lemon
  
• 3/4 cup water
  
• 4 tablespoon olive oil
  

Directions:

1. Coat a roasting pan with 2 tablespoon olive oil.
   
2. Place the potatoes in a single layer on the pan.
   
3. Mix lemon juice and water. Pour over the potatoes.
   
4. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the potatoes.
   
5. Bake in a 400 degree oven for an hour until the potatoes are brown and tender.
   
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
   

Hummus

Ursa's notes: Don't let Nick see this first, or no one else will get any.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of cooked garbanzo beans
  
• Juice of ½ lemon
  
• Zest of ½ lemon
  
• 2 cloves garlic
  
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
  
• ¼ cup chopped onions or scallions
  
• Salt and pepper
  

Directions:

1. Pour all ingredients except the salt and pepper into a food processor.
   
2. Mix until you have a smooth consistency. If it is too thick, add water 1 tbsp. at a time.
   
3. Salt and pepper to taste.
   
4. Serve with pita or any other flat bread.