We spend a lot of time in the backyard in the summer. Having friends over to grill and enjoy the pool is one of our favorite ways to entertain. This means we grill a lot of burgers and this Fig Jam & Goat Cheese Burger is one of our favorite recipes. I came to this recipe when I was trying to think of a new riff on a regular cheeseburger. Sometimes we all want a little change without having to get overly complicated.  This burger begins with a regular beef patty, then it’s la

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

I love serving delicious cakes at spring meals. This Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake is one of those cakes that is perfect to serve at occasions right now. It really works at all kinds of warm weather events and is even dressy enough for Easter. Lemon is always a wonderful flavor for desserts. It’s a nice alternative to chocolate and vanilla. At Easter it functions as a great second cake to have on the table in case someone doesn’t like carrot cake.  I like to fold fresh blueberri

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

There’s nothing I love more than a simple, elegant recipe that comes together with ease and makes everyone at the table do a little happy dance. That’s exactly what this Roasted Tomato & Goat Cheese Dip  is. It’s bright, creamy, full of garden-fresh flavor, and it looks beautiful with very little effort — which, let’s be honest, is the dream when you’re entertaining in spring or summer. I make this dip all the time for brunches, casual gatherings, and those spontaneous backya

You know when two favorites collide and the result is just chef’s kiss ? That’s exactly what happened the day I mashed up spanakopita with baked potatoes and created what I now lovingly call Spanakopatata . 😍 This little invention came about on a cozy afternoon when I was craving all the creamy, herby vibes of spanakopita—but I didn’t feel like working with phyllo (shocking, I know). Enter: the humble baked potato. It’s like the perfect blank canvas, and once I loaded it up

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

This is one of those recipes that gets interesting responses when I bring it up to people. Stuffed Cabbage is not always high on everyone’s list because one of the main ingredients is, well, cabbage. It’s understandable that it’s not a hugely popular vegetable in most households. Most of us like it shredded on top of tacos or scattered into bowl-style meals. But I think this recipe might change your mind about making cabbage a little more mainstream so please watch the video

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

This recipe for Crusted Lamb Chops with Green Tahini Sauce almost needs no introduction. That lamb is a very traditional Greek food is no surprise. We eat it all the time in Greece and a lot in America, too. I have so many different ways I prepare lamb. It really depends on the season and what is fresh and available for a garnish. In this case, we use fresh parsley from our herb pots and tahini and garlic to create the perfect sauce to drizzle on our freshly cooked chops.  La

As you can tell, I’m on a tear with egg recipes these days. These Spicy Sriracha Bacon Deviled Eggs are the latest in a streak of delicious deviled egg recipes. Why? Because deviled eggs are universally beloved and there are so many good ways to make them, I felt it was time to share all the adaptations I have! Deviled eggs are really popular menu items at almost every party I cater. Everyone likes them on the menu because they never seem to go out of style. (I can’t say that

Today I’m making Easter Sugar Cookies. I don’t care how old my children get, I don’t think I’ll ever stop making specialized cookies for holidays. You’ve seen me bake all kinds of cookies for Christmas, and a few for Greek Easter, and here’s a new one for you. This recipe would work well for any holiday, all you have to do is change the cookie cutter shape you are using.  Making these cookies is very easy, but I do have some tips for you. First of all, don’t let the dough get

Today I’m making Avocado Lime Deviled Eggs. Yes, you read that right! These deviled eggs are made with the traditional method but have a little extra flavor and zest from the lime and heat. Yum! I start this recipe by making hard-boiled eggs using my tried-and-true cooking method. It makes my eggs come out perfectly every single time!  Then, I continue forward making the filling with extra flavor and heat from the avocado, lime, and pepper. I can’t tell you how good it tastes

Today I’m sharing how to make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs every single time. I love this method because you can make a large batch of hard-boiled eggs in just minutes. I use this when I make my Layered Spring Salad, Deviled Eggs, and when I make Egg Salad.   There are many reasons why you’d need a large amount of hard-boiled eggs at once. However, if you just want one or two hard-boiled eggs for a light meal you can easily use this method in a smaller pot and keep the times the

I had to make this classic recipe for the show this winter. Shepard’s Pie is a very popular recipe the world over for good reason. It’s comforting, hearty, and is made with easy-to-find ingredients available in almost every single country. In Greece we make this a lot with lamb since it’s so readily available. However, you can easily make it with beef if that’s more accessible for you. I recommend trying it with each meat at least once so you can decide what your family likes

There’s something so satisfyingly perfect about deviled eggs. They’ve been served the world over since before I was born and the basic recipe hasn’t changed that much. Despite their ubiquity, they’re universally popular in every corner of the world. They manage to satisfy every time with their creamy texture, firm container, and spicy or sweet seasonings. I’ve made them all sorts of way for different parties I’ve catered. I think one of our favorite requests when I was asked

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

This recipe was a fun one for me to make. It’s my mother’s recipe for Homemade Elderberry Syrup. She makes large batches of this every winter and gives us a few jars for our fridge. I’m not giving any medical advice here, but this is known for its immune boosting properties and is a popular homemade remedy to ward off colds and viruses in the winter months.  My kids like it because it is sweety and fruity, very easy to sip every morning before they go to school. Everyone gets

I love a good cupcake moment. Even though my kids are a little older they are totally down for cupcakes on special occasions. Needless to say, these Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are ideal for Easter.   Carrot cake is a staple dessert and I absolutely love it any time of year. However, it can be tricky to have a huge cake at home because it doesn’t stay fresh for very long once you slice into it. This is why I like to make cupcakes, especially around the hol

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