#greek-cuisine

#greek-cuisine

The island of Sifnos, nestled in the famous Cyclades archipelago, is a beautiful Greek gem that remains under the radar. With its gentle, laid-back atmosphere and charming villages, it's the perfect place to escape and feel time slow down. The island is known for its beautiful landscapes and historic pottery traditions, but there's also an incredible culinary scene showcasing Sifnos' invaluable contributions to Greek cuisine that's well worth your attention. Here's everything you need to know for a perfect trip to this Aegean Sea paradise.

Krasi is the crown jewel of the Xenia Greek Hospitality group, a polished Back Bay gem that showcases the best of Mediterranean culinary flavors and a renowned Greek wine list. While dinner takes on a more moody, candlelit ambiance, it's the daytime brunch that is a bustling affair that requires reservations well in advance. Prepare to scooch around tightly packed tables and trip over stray bags, but it's all worth it in the name of the brunch menu.

I know, I know - but stick with me here. One of the many activities we did was a cooking class at the Artist Athens. We learned fun facts about Greek dishes, and one of the most surprising things our instructor shared was that feta cheese should not be pre-crumbled. It actually holds its own shape and should be cut and portioned if desired.

Pro tip: Traveling between Greece's islands is quite easy, thanks to the country's ferry system - no flights required. Simply check out the map to see which islands are serviced by Seajets , and be sure to book your tickets in advance. While splurging for the premium tier isn't necessarily worth it, we recommend spending the extra few dollars to book in business versus economy, as these seats are larger, more comfortable and almost always located in a quieter part of the boat.

Growing up as a Greek American, certain dishes were always part of my family's weekly dinner rotation. My parents used food to help my sister and me connect to our Greek roots, introducing us to dishes like pastitsio (like lasagna, but better), avgolemono soup (similar to chicken noodle), and baklava (a holiday classic). But no recipe is as quick and easy as my dad's Greek meatballs - or keftedes, as we call them. They're the perfect companion to some fries, pasta, or his Greek roasted potatoes.

When the pandemic hit and the US went into lockdown, Garten inspired me to finally improve my skills in the kitchen. And when I briefly moved back in with my parents, they were more than happy to sample my creations. It's since become a tradition, and now I whip up new "Barefoot Contessa" dishes for my parents every time I visit.

Named after the Greek flatbread, Lagana, the group's most casual restaurant, will be led by Group Executive Chef Tzoulio Loulai, who's doing a menu of skewers, flatbreads and small plates, including dishes like: courgette tempura with spiced red pepper sauce savoury loukoumades with graviera cheese fresh anthotiro cheese with thyme and truffle oil charred corn on the cob with yellow chilli butter and cumin salt dry-aged picanha with beef jus lamb kebab with oregano-tomato sauce, cumin yoghurt and roasted fennel

Kleftiko, a Greek classic, is traditionally made with lamb shoulder suited to slow cooking, offering an exceptional tenderness and rich flavour.

Pastitsio is a baked pasta dish with ground meat and a béchamel sauce. It's creamier than a baked ziti and meatier than your classic lasagna.

"I felt like this country gave me so much, I really fell in love with it. A way to give back through food was to educate people about the country and their cuisine and the history, because it's all so intertwined."

The Brooklyn Greek Festival, taking place June 2-8, offers an array of traditional and vegan Greek food, live entertainment, and community festivities.

"It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to watch your families grow, celebrate milestones with you, and share in so many meals, laughs and even tears," she wrote. "I've made friendships through Blue Door that I will forever cherish."

Baklava is perhaps one of the most well-known Greek desserts, made with layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and syrup, showcasing unique Greek preparation.

Using lemon and thyme as a marinade elevates the flavors of steak, balancing the meat’s richness with brightness and complexity, resulting in a delicious meal.