This is a fun recipe to know because everyone knows there are croutons and then there are Homemade Croutons. The homemade are just better in every single way. I don't know how else to say it, they make all the difference when you're making a salad. The best way to start homemade croutons is with leftover bread. You can even use leftover sandwich bread if it's what you have on hand. The slight staleness of it makes it easier to toast! However, if you don't have any you can eas

I never get tired of salad recipes. There are an infinite number of ways you can make salad, they can be super healthy or a little decadent, and they really complete any meal. This Beet, Avocado & Quinoa Salad with Honey Yogurt Dressing is a recent favorite of ours. I love to make it in the fall when we’re in the mood for big salads that are hearty and filling.  The main ingredients of this salad are beets, avocado, and oranges. The peppery arugula gives it a nice bed of gree

This spring and summer I’m sharing a lot of classic recipes that satisfy and giving them a new twist. For this week’s episode I’m making this with classic summer tuna sandwich and turning it into Mediterranean Tuna Salad. We all love the classic version of tuna salad in our house. It’s makes for a great, easy meal no matter the time of day. My kids like it on toasted bread and served as a sandwich. It can also be served on a nice bed of lettuce or stuffed in an avocado. Somet

I love the sun and heat. One of the reasons for this is that I’m Greek and love nothing more than being on the beach by the ocean. It’s in my blood! We spend a lot time at the beach in Greece in the summer. In the winter we try to go south to get some sun when it’s really cold here in Connecticut. (Sometimes winters really make me miss my college days in Florida!) That said, I can bring the beach back to me whenever I make this Tropical Fruit Salad, no matter the weather outs

This Citrus and Avocado Salad is a beautiful and bright salad for any time of the year. I love making it in the summer when everything is so super fresh and flavorful. If you can find citrus in the winter that is bright and juicy, this salad will work will then, too.  I love this salad because it can be served at almost any occasion, from the fanciest parties to the most casual meals. It does not take long to assemble and it tastes even better than it looks, which is somewhat

There’s something so satisfying about a cool, protein-rich salad in the warmer months. This Creamy Shrimp Salad with Crunchy Vegetables is one of those salads. When the days heat up, I am less inclined to make lots of hot food, especially mid-day. I find that my catering clients often prefer cool salads for lunches for the same reason. This is when I turn to make shrimp salads and chicken salads with lots of fresh vegetables.  I love this particular recipe because it’s a whol

Okay, I’ll admit it — I have a soft spot for potato salad. But as much as I love the classic creamy version, I wanted something a little brighter, a little healthier, and with a lot more zing . That’s how this Greek Potato Salad with Yogurt & Dill  was born — and it has quickly become a go-to side dish in my kitchen, especially as the weather warms up. This version skips the mayo entirely and leans into full-fat Greek yogurt instead, which gives it a tangy richness without fe

I love all kinds of salads, which is no surprise since we eat a lot salads and vegetables in Mediterranean cuisine! This Greek Caesar Salad is a fun one because it combines the most delicious parts of the Caesar salad and those of a Greek Salad in one bowl! I couldn’t resist sharing this concept with all of you because I want to emphasize how much fun it can be to tweak recipes to your liking. Food is meant to be fun, so why not take your favorite part of different recipes an

There is something so refreshing about a new salad recipe in the spring. I’m at the point where I’m ready to put away my heavier vegetable side dishes until next fall. This Asparagus Strawberry & Feta Salad fits the bill as the weather warms up. It’s filled with fresh lettuces, fresh vegetables, a light tangy cheese, and tossed with a delicious dressing. It’s truly divine to have on your table this season, especially when everything is fresh from the farmstand.   The key to m

I’ve been meaning to share this recipe for years, but have talked myself out of it a few times because it’s so simple. However, I finally realized you’d probably appreciate it based on the fact I make it so regularly. It’s one of those rare recipes that’s so versatile you can make for just about any occasion! I call it my Simple Layered Spring Salad and it’s big enough to serve a crowd, or can be halved and served at your weekday family table.  I love this gorgeous salad beca

I love salads of all varieties. We serve many different ones at our restaurants and there are several different styles I like to make at home, and this is always one of our most popular. This Asian Salad with Peanut Dressing is absolutely delicious and works well on its own as a side dish, or as a main course with some protein on top. Some people are intimidated by dressings with lots of ingredients they may not use every day, but I want to debunk this for you.  The beauty of

Sometimes we want a salad with our dinner, but we’re looking for something different than just a traditional bowl of lettuce with dressing. This is when I turn to this fun recipe for Broccoli & Quinoa Salad. It has all the hallmarks of a healthy, green salad, without a single leaf of lettuce, plus extra protein and crunch! My family really likes this in the winter when we’re looking for something a little warmer than a crunchy, cool leaf. Yes, this can be made in advanced and

This is truly one of the best salads to have on hand on any given day. Tabouli Salad is a fresh salad made with bulgur wheat, fresh vegetables and a light, zesty dressing. I like to make it in advance so the flavors have a chance to marry before being enjoyed.  This salad is a classic for a reason. It hits all the right notes in that it is filling, nutritious, and pairs well with all kinds of foods. I love to serve it year-round and it really pleases my whole family and our g

It might seem unusual, but Citrus Salad with Pomegranate Seeds is the perfect salad for fall and winter. I know it seems like tropical fruits should only be served in the summer months or tropical areas, but they are the perfect way to brighten the table, and the mood, in the northeast this time of year.  In the fall I like to make this salad because it’s the perfect complement to heavier seasonal foods. If you’re serving a roast chicken, lamb, or beef, a bright citrusy flavo

This is a fun little Southwestern salad for you to enjoy this season. I love making Corn & Bean Salad in the warmer months because it has a real summery kick to it. I add in sweet potatoes for a little heft and natural sweetness and top it off with a tangy lime vinaigrette. Once you try it, I’m sure you’ll agree that it hits all the right notes!   Making this salad is fairly simple. The longest part is roasting the sweet potatoes. I tend to roast the potatoes while I’m prepar

This is a classic salad that you’ll find all over Greece, and all over the world, even. I love Cucumber & Dill Salad because it’s incredibly refreshing on a hot summer’s day. The cucumbers are so hydrating and delicious, and the tart vinaigrette is somehow thirst quenching. As noted, I like to make this at least 30 minutes before serving, but I actually prefer to make it up to an hour in advance. The flavors taste so much better once they’ve had a chance to meld.  Cucumbers a

This Pear & Walnut Salad is a classic recipe that always fits the bill. I love serving it year-round, which is not something I say for every salad I make. The beauty of this recipe is that it typically works with almost everything. You really can’t go wrong when serving it alongside grilled chicken or fish, a pasta or rice dish, or a heavier meat.   The key to making this dish really sing is using excellent ingredients. A perfectly ripe pear, beautiful honey, and a nice lettu

This gorgeous salad is so easy and simple to make. It is probably one of the salads I make most frequently. Bibb Lettuce with Shallot Dressing is incredibly easy to pull together. In fact, one of the reasons I love making it is because I can almost do it with my eyes closed.   As with most simple recipes, it’s imperative that the ingredients are high-quality. A crisp, fresh bibb lettuce is ideal because it stands up well to the dressing and holds the avocado. I also make sure

I love the new trend of bowl-style meals. The idea is that there are a lot of ingredients in one bowl and a beautiful dressing unifies all the flavors. Then, all the ingredients are mixed together and eaten bite by bite, instead of remaining separate on a plate. Bowl recipes typically have lots of ingredients and taste wonderful because the ingredients are picked to complement one another with each bite. I like to top them with a protein like chicken or shrimp to make them in

I like to remind people that simple flavors are one of the hallmarks of Greek cuisine. We don’t go for overly fancy, deeply complicated recipes because our cuisine was born of the food we had access to, that grows well in our country. To that end, we fill our dishes with fresh vegetables, herbs, olive oil, and vinegars because they grow so abundantly and are found everywhere. You just can’t beat a simple dish made with all fresh, local ingredients. Don’t be duped by a short i