Welcome to our December Christmas cookies how-to video series. This week it’s all about making Koulourakia (κουλουράκια), a delicately crisp butter cookie that’s traditionally formed in the shape of an “S” or a twist, then brushed with egg and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Our focus is on how to work the dough and roll out beautiful twists, since this is the trickiest of all the shapes. Come into our kouzina and see how it’s done!

Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut out into your favorite shapes like stars, angels, and candy canes. Growing up we loved camel and tree shapes. Transfer cut-outs to your cookie sheet, brush them with beaten egg, and sprinkle with colored sugar.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to our kouzina and being a part of twisting and cutting out Koulourakia. Stay tuned for more Greek cookie videos this month!

Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.

Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday!

Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!

Kelly

Copyright © 2018 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

December is all about making our Christmas cookies in Kukla’s Kouzina, so we put together a series of how-to videos of our mom's (Kukla's) most-requested favorites. Following in our Kukla’s footsteps, we bake about 200 of each cookie to share with friends and family for the holidays, so now is the perfect time to welcome you into our kouzina for a first-hand look at how we do it.

We kick off this series with Kourambiedes (κουραμπιέδες), a tender Greek shortbread cookie dusted with confectioners’ sugar that melts in your mouth (seriously!). These cookies are so extraordinary that they’re also made for weddings and special occasions. Our focus this week is on the perfect dough texture, how to roll out the cookies, and how to dust them after baking. 

NOTE: The dough texture here applies to most of our cookies, so keep this in mind when we post new cookie videos.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to our kouzina and being a part of the magic of making Kourambiedes. Stay tuned for more Greek holiday cookie videos this month!

Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.

Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday!

Until then~
Kali orexi!  Good appetite!

Kelly

Copyright © 2018 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

Flour, or as we say alevri (αλεύρι, ah-LEH-vree), goes beyond the all-purpose category in the Greek/Karpathian kouzina. The flours we use include many varieties and textures that create everything from breads to rusks to cookies to custards. The protein content in flour can range from 5 to 15 percent, resulting in two basic types of flour, soft and hard. Soft flour has less protein, making it ideal for pastries, cookies, and cakes, while hard flour is higher in protein and gluten, which produces an elastic dough, making it perfect for yeast breads. Organic/unbleached is recommended for all flours whenever possible. We prefer Greek flours for their smooth texture (yielding supple instead of tight results), and exceptional taste. Once the package is opened, all flours will remain fresh for about one month, particularly in warm climates (always check the date on the package to make sure it’s fresh). After one month it would be best to store flour in the freezer in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. To keep flour fresh when at room temperature, store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container with a couple of bay leaves—this works beautifully to keep flour bug-free. 

If you’ve ever been in a Greek market’s baking section and were not familiar with the labels and numbering system on the packages, you probably just kept going. Greek and European flours are similarly labeled and are worth getting to know. Following are the basic types of flours we use and how we use them:

We have had the wonderful privilege of learning from two gifted teachers, our mom (Kukla) and Aunt Francis (her sister), when it came to all things cooking and baking (and life!)—the added bonus was having our yiayia’s recipes and lessons passed on to us. Sometimes we take it for granted that our knowledge of simple elements (like flour) in the Greek kouzina is common when sometimes it’s not. We hope that this installment of Greek ingredients has helped demystify what all of these different flours are used for and how you can experiment in your own kouzina to get the results you want. 

We encourage you to cook and bake with your family and friends, and enjoy the process. Engage your kids to help and learn. The memories, lessons, and laughter that result from your time together will last a lifetime, for them and for you. These are the moments that will forever be cherished…they are for us!

The following in-store and online options will have you saying “YES”!

If you’re in the New York City area you can find these Greek flours (and more) at the following markets (they do phone orders and ship as well):

Titan Foods
25-56 31st Street
LIC, N.Y, 11102
718-626-7771

Mediterranean Foods (2 locations)
30-12 34th Street
Astoria, NY 11103
718-728-6166

22-78 35th Street
Astoria, NY 11105
718-721-0266

If you don’t live near these markets but have a Greek Orthodox Church nearby, chances are they know of a Greek/Mediterranean shop in the area.

Online shopping is the next best thing but you won’t find the selection that’s available in-store. Here’s where you can purchase Greek flour, as well as other foods and items:

Titan Foods
Recipiada

King Arthur Flour has a comparable organic line as well as European-style varieties.

I hope you enjoyed Flour Kouzina. The recipes for the foods pictured here will be featured in our upcoming cookbook. Stay tuned for more uniquely Greek and Karpathian ingredients that you can add to your kouzina pantry.

Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.

Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday!

Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!

Kelly

Copyright © 2018 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

ong ago in a kouzina far, far away, two little girls learned the art of Greek cooking and baking from the master, their mom, Mary (a.k.a. Kukla).    

While we rolled and shaped and twisted, Mom shared stories about her family growing up in West Virginia and our papou (grandfather) working in the coal mines. Our yiayia (grandmother) would bribe the foreman with Greek food so he wouldn’t send Papou into the dangerous section of the mine. When she saved enough of Papou’s money, they opened the Busy Bee Diner and closed the coal-mine chapter, and the worry that went with it. Our uncles (who later opened a diner of their own in NYC’s Little Italy) teased her saying that she didn’t know how to cook American food.   She told them that if she could cook Greek, she could cook anything. Her chili, roast turkey, and brisket were just a few of the items on the menu (along with her Spanakopita, Souvlaki, and Moussaka) that made the Busy Bee a success.

It was during this shared time with Mom in our kitchen that we learned about more than just how to make cookies. We learned about our heritage and customs, as well as our grandparents humble beginnings. Our mom was laying down a foundation that we could build on. 

While I was busy making bread, Joanne was helping Mom make Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers. She remembers Mom telling her that she had to break up the ground beef for the filling with the back of a wooden spoon (Yiayia’s spoon actually), when browning it, until the texture was really fine…no lumps allowed! I still have that spoon and use it every time I brown ground beef. That was the first step in making a filling that had the perfect consistency. This technique was the basis for many of Mom’s recipes, including her meat sauce, Moussaka, Pastitsio, and so much more. Once you mastered it, you were ready to make it all!

Carrying bags weighing about 50 pounds in each hand (we joked with her, in a Greek accent,  that she was “strong like bull!”), she braved the subway and headed home. Joanne and I waited for Mom on the stoop of our brownstone and ran to her as soon as we spotted her coming down our block. We were so happy she was home and she was visibly thrilled to see us with hugs and kisses all around. 

Nights following a 9th-Avenue run meant we were having fresh ham-and-feta sandwiches with lettuce and tomato, all the ingredients from the treasures found in Mom’s shopping bags. She used to ask us not to tell anyone we were eating sandwiches for dinner, which we couldn’t understand because we thought this was the best meal ever!

We prepared our mom’s lemon-chicken-and-potatoes recipe (using Cornish hens) and roasted the meal in an oven bag. While that was cooking, we cut the tops off of three pineapples and scooped out the insides (what can I say, we had a thing for pineapples). We filled the pineapples with fruit juice and topped each with a cherry-and-pineapple-skewered cocktail umbrella. We cut up the rest of the pineapple, combined it with other fruit, and served it for dessert. There was even a Greek salad. We spread out a blanket on our kitchen floor and set it with the pineapple drinks, tropical flowers, paper plates, napkins, and plastic utensils (so there would be no dish washing that night either). 

As soon as we heard her coming up the stairs we turned down the lights and turned up the Hawaiian music to set the mood. We greeted her with a lei that matched the ones we were wearing and when she saw the spread she was beyond surprised, she was deeply touched and so proud of us. Not only did her young girls prepare dinner, it was an elaborate, creative effort that was inspired by our love for her and the standard she set for us. Though she wasn’t the type to eat on the floor, she did it because we went to all the trouble and she didn’t want us to feel bad. She quickly got over the seating arrangements and we had the best time. Each course was an “OMG, look at what you did” moment for her. We ate, we laughed, and we made a very special memory that warmed all of our hearts for years to come and especially today when those memories are so precious.

We lived in a home abundant in love, laughter, and the familiar smell of something delicious being prepared in the kitchen. As tired as Mom was when she got home from work, cooking was never a chore and dinner was always extraordinary. Eating well was her first priority for us and food was something she didn’t skimp on. She was our hero and her lessons, and love, were invaluable. 

Having Kukla as our mom?...Now that was priceless!

I hope you enjoyed growing up with us in our remarkable kouzina. For more photos of us, Kukla, and our next generation, visit our Gallery page. I’ll be sharing more of our kouzina lessons with you in upcoming blogs so check back to see what’s cookin’ at Kukla’s.

Our new cookbook Kukla’s Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style, Meze (Appetizers & Petite Plates) marks 20 years since we started this food journey with Kukla and is available on Amazon. This is the first in a series that we have developed and we’re excited to see this dream become reality! For details about the book and us, go to our website’s BOOK page.

Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.

Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday!

Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!

Kelly

Copyright © 2018 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

It’s that sweet time of year…no, seriously, it’s truly sweet because we’re testing cookie recipes for our upcoming cookbook and this week’s theme is “filling.” 

Multiple steps means these cookies take some time to make but one bite tells you it was time well spent. Come take a look at what we’ve been up to.

 Melomakarona / Finikia
(μελομακάρονα / φοινίκια)

These aromatic, syrup-dipped cookies are not only nut filled, but nut topped. They’re as tender as cake and perfectly portioned…but who can ever stop at just one?! We also have a how-to VIDEO that will take you through each step.

Steps: roll, fill, shape, bake, syrup, top…EAT

Skaltsounia
(σκαλτσούνια) 

A pastry-sized specialty from Karpathos (neighboring Crete has a different version), this is what appears to be a marriage between powdered sugar-topped Kourambiedes and nut-filled Melomakarona, but once you take a bite you’ll realize that these turnover-like cookies have a personality all their own. These are a treat of epic proportions!

Steps: roll out, fill, bake, dust…EAT

Ahladakia Amigdalota 
(αχλαδάκια αμυγδαλοτά) Almond Pears

Filled with figs and wrapped in a tender almond dough, these irresistible mini pears add sparkle and opulence to a dessert tray. These cookies were originally my claim to fame in Ladies’ Home Journal’s December 1999 issue, as well as their 1999 cookbook, but more importantly, I’ve had a number of readers tell me that making this cookie has become a holiday tradition and their Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it. Now that’s priceless!

Steps: roll, fill, shape, sugar-coat, bake…EAT


I hope you enjoyed filling in love with this week’s Greek cookies. Stay tuned for more updates as we show you what’s cooking and baking for our upcoming cookbook!

Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.

Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday.

Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!

Kelly

Copyright © 2018 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

When you think chocolate, the first (or second) thing that comes to mind is probably not Greek dessert. And why should it? Classic (or should I say original) Greek confections aren’t made with chocolate and they taste amazing just the way they are, so naturally you’d think, why try to improve on perfection? Well, even the Greeks have discovered that almost everything (we’re talking sweets, not spanakopita) is better with chocolate. If you’ve recently visited a Greek pastry shop, you already know that chocolate has found yet another welcoming new home, and it's love at first sight for the delighted shoppers!

During my visits to Greek bakeries like Artopolis and Titan in Astoria, NY, I found chocolate was used simply, as a drizzle or a filling (or both) in pastries like baklava and flogeres (nut rolls), or infused into the batter of karidopita (syrup-drenched walnut cake), or was more inventively used for dipping the pastries before sprinkling them with nuts. It was even incorporated into koulourakia dough to create a Greek version of a black-and-white cookie…with a twist!

If you’re jonesin’ for chocolate but you feel like making something Greek, you CAN have it both ways. Try the following tips to turn your Greek treat into a 2-for-1 indulgence, starting with a simple drizzle and ending with pure decadence.

NOTE: Start with good-quality bittersweet or semisweet dark chocolate—it's what we prefer for taste, plus it’s the healthier option.

1. Chocolate-drizzle up your baklava or nut rolls (this works on store-bought pastries too!):

~Let them cool completely after you’re done adding the syrup. 

~Melt a couple of ounces of chocolate (we love dark bittersweet to offset the intense sweetness of the pastry), then spoon it into a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag and snip a 1/8-inch hole from one of the corners. Twist the top of the bag to press the chocolate down to the snipped tip.

~Hold the tip about 1 inch above the area you want to cover and, while pressing the chocolate down, pipe the chocolate in a zigzag pattern over the pastry. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect. It doesn’t have to. That’s the beauty of drizzling. The less perfect it is, the more unique it appears, so have fun with it.

​
2. Not chocolaty enough? Make Choclava!

~When assembling your nut rolls or baklava, drizzle chocolate on the inside or sprinkle each layer with chocolate chips.

~Then bake, syrup, cool, and finish with a top drizzle.

3. The ultimate chocolate-dip treatment for nut rolls:

~Hold a nut roll by one end and dip it one-third of the way into a bowl of melted chocolate. Remove and let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.

~Place the roll on a sheet of parchment or waxed paper and immediately sprinkle the chocolate with toasted almond slices. Repeat with the remaining rolls, keeping them one inch apart.

~Let the rolls cool at room temperature until firm. Don’t refrigerate, as that would cause the phyllo to soften and you want it to remain crisp. 

4. Have your Greek chocolate cake and eat it too!
To infuse a cake like karidopita, add cocoa powder to the dry flour mixture (swap out one-quarter of the flour with an equal amount of unsweetened cocoa powder), and/or fold in a handful of mini chocolate chips (or more, depending on the size of your cake or your taste) before pouring the batter into the baking pan.

5. A twist of chocolate: For koulourakia (below left), make two batches of dough, adding cocoa powder to the dry flour mixture (as in #4 above with the karidopita) to one of the batches. Per your recipe, roll out both dough colors into ropes, place one of each side by side and twist for a two-tone cookie.

6. Dust of chocolate: Another simple and elegant chocolate treatment can be accomplished by adding a light dusting of sweetened cocoa powder over your pastry or cake before serving (above right).

7. A chocolate sip: It’s more than just dessert! I came up with this idea while I was testing our recipes and experimenting, and decided it was time for a coffee break. Being in a creative mood, I thought it would be fun to try a spin on Greek demitasse. The luscious result is what I dubbed a mocha-tasse™.

~Start with Greek demitasse coffee poured into cups.

~Finely grate a touch of dark chocolate and sprinkle it over the coffee or dust it with sweetened cocoa powder. If desired, finish by sifting just a pinch of confectioners’ sugar on top to brighten it up. (Don’t stir or you’ll bring up the grounds from the bottom.) Sip, sigh, smile!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s When Greek Meets Chocolate and that it kicks your taste for Greek desserts up to an all-time high.

Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.

Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday.

Until then~
Kali orexi!  Good appetite!

Kelly

Copyright © 2018 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

Welcome to our cookie video-series finale where we answer the question, how many “takes” does it take to make a video in Kukla’s Kouzina? Well, that depends on how well you know your lines and how long you can keep a straight face. Between having fun in the kitchen and trying to stay focused for the camera, it became a hysterical challenge (that we recorded) and we had to wait 24 hours for the giggles to wear off before trying again to get it right. 

While reviewing the cookie videos for our blog, we realized that there’s no better way to ring in the New Year than with laughter. So, for the final reel in this video series, I put together some of the blooper clips that were too funny to leave on the cutting room floor. As you’ll see, it takes dozens and dozens of takes when contagious LOL moments take over.

You’ve seen our serious side, now come into our kouzina and see how quickly it can turn into Kouzina Komedy!

I hope you enjoyed laughing with us in our kouzina and stepping behind the scenes to see some of the hard work—and suppressing an infectious laugh is just that, especially for the director/videographer—that goes into making a cooking video. Stay tuned for more videos (and possible bloopers) from our kouzina to yours!

Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.

Thanks for following us and we'll see you next Monday!

Until then~
We wish you a very blessed and Happy New Year.
​
Kali orexi! Good appetite!

Kelly

Copyright © 2018 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

Welcome to our December Christmas cookies how-to video series. This week we’re making our showstopper Melomakarona / Finikia (μελομακάρονα / φοινίκια)—nutty, spiced cookies drenched in a honey syrup. They’re delicately tender and a perfectly sweet indulgence. We’ll show you how to roll and fill them, then how to syrup and top them. Step into our kouzina and see how we do Melomakarona!

Here’s a photo how-to on making Melomakarona one step at a time. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit to our kouzina and learning what goes into making this very special holiday cookie. More videos to come from our kouzina to yours!

Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.

Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday.

Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!

Kelly

Copyright © 2017 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

COCKTAIL: an alcoholic drink and hors d’oeuvre (meze).
KEFI: Greek for the spirit expressing the joy of life. Whether you’re planning on hosting a dinner, launching a tailgate party, or celebrating happy hour, a cocktail and meze are always in demand. We developed fuss-free Greek drink and appetizer recipes that will add kefi to any occasion.
Cocktail + Kefi = Opa!

​KUKLA’S KOCKTAIL
(Κούκλας Κοκτέιλ)
by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos and Joanne Staikopoulos Marzella
As featured in the upcoming cookbook: Kukla’s Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style
 
This get-the-party-started cocktail has a licorice-mocha flavor that’s infused with a tangy citrus sorbet in place of ice, keeping the drink well chilled.
 
Total preparation time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving
 
INGREDIENTS
1 mini scoop (about 2 tablespoons) orange or lemon sorbet
1 ounce ouzo liqueur
½ ounce coffee-flavored liqueur (such as Kahlua)
Orange slice or orange zest curl, for garnish
 
DIRECTIONS
Place the sorbet in a martini or old-fashioned glass and pour ouzo and coffee-flavored liqueur over the top. Swirl to combine. Garnish the glass with an orange slice or top the sorbet with a zest curl, if desired. Makes 1 serving.

TYROKOULOURA
(τυροκούλουρα)
by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos and Joanne Staikopoulos Marzella
As featured in the upcoming cookbook: Kukla’s Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style
 
This easy-to-make Greek meze is a crowd pleaser. The recipe is based on snacks Kukla used to make with leftover scraps of dough…and there were no leftovers when she was done baking! The puff pastry can be found in the frozen-food section of your market.
 
Do-ahead tip: These snacks can be prepared up to 1 hour ahead and baked when ready to serve. Make the twist rings, placing them on the baking sheets but do not brush them with egg or add seeds. Cover completely with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to bake, up to 1 hour. Preheat the oven, remove the plastic wrap from the baking sheets, brush the rings with egg and top them with seeds. Proceed with baking instructions in step 4.
 
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Baking time: about 15 minutes
Yield: 18 mezedes (appetizers)
 
INGREDIENTS
Vegetable shortening
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 sheet (about 9 ½-inch square) prepared puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
1 large egg, beaten well
2 tablespoons shredded kasseri cheese
2 tablespoons shredded graviera cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped deli ham, dry pepperoni (sweet or hot), cooked sausage or bacon
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons black sesame seeds (mavrosisamo)
 
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets; set aside.
 
2. On a lightly floured surface, unfold the pastry sheet and, using a rolling pin, roll out to an 11½-inch square, 1/8-inch thick.  
 
3. Lightly brush half of the pastry sheet with egg and sprinkle brushed side evenly with the cheeses, ham, and oregano. Lightly brush the other half of the pastry sheet with egg and fold over, covering the filling completely. With fingertips, press pastry around the edges, then, using the rolling pin, roll gently over the top to seal.  
 
4. Cut the pastry crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick strips, about 6 inches long, making about 18 strips. Twist each strip and pinch the ends together, forming a circle. Place the twist rings 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Brush the rings with egg, then sprinkle them with the black sesame seeds. 
 
5. Bake for about 15 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Serve warm (they can also be served at room temperature but warm is preferable). 
 
Recipes © copyright 2017 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style, kuklaskouzina.com  

I hope you enjoy making and eating these Kukla’s Kouzina specialties!
 
Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.
 
Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday.
 
Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!
 
Kelly

​Copyright © 2017 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    
 
Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

The World Cup (June 12 to July 13)—It’s the Olympics of soccer and there’s nothing Greeks take more seriously than their podosphero (ποδόσφαιρο, poh-THOH-sfeh-roh) or foot-ball (ποδό-foot, σφαιρο-shere or ball), commonly referred to as soccer (especially in the USA) so as not to confuse the game with American football, which is, well, a whole different ball game!  

Four years in the making, with annual soccer seasons spanning from August to May, the best of the best are selected from club teams around the world to compete globally on national teams representing their homeland. This year, Greece has made it to the World Cup and its team is an all-star lineup of stellar-performing players. USA will be in the World Cup this year as well so it’ll be a huge event for both countries.

Soccer is the great Greek pastime (for most of the world too, but, hey, we’re Greek at Kukla’s Kouzina!). We’ve even got a soccer field right below our property in Karpathos. It's "the" sport in Greece and now that the country is World-Cup bound, it’s going to be pure nirvana…and pandemonium. Greece’s pride in their soccer players is over the top, and with the World Cup that pride will be exploding. Passion and enthusiasm collide when it comes to soccer—the physical act of watching (and reacting to) the game can cause its own collisions and should be declared a side-sport that is not recommended for the faint of heart. When it’s game on, fans will skip work and ditch school to be a part of the action and witness history in the making—an unofficial holiday will be declared and bosses and teachers alike will not question anyone’s absence…how could they when they’re watching the games as well?!

So what does soccer have to do with food? Well, where there’s a sports event, there’s a party. And what’s a party without munchies and drinks to get the fun started? To represent Greece in the World Cup tailgate festivities, we developed a Greek cocktail and a snack recipe that will celebrate our mother-country’s team and will cheer them on to victory.

Zeto Ellada (Ζήτω Ελλάδα, ZEE-toh eh-LAH-thah)! 
Victory Greece!

KUKLA’S KOCKTAIL
(Κούκλας Κοκτέιλ)
by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos and Joanne Staikopoulos Marzella
As featured in our upcoming cookbook: Kukla’s Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style

A game-time winner, this cocktail celebrates with a licorice-mocha flavor that’s infused with a tangy citrus sorbet in place of ice, keeping the drink well chilled.

Total preparation time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving

INGREDIENTS
1 mini scoop (about 2 tablespoons) orange or lemon sorbet
1 ounce ouzo liqueur
½ ounce coffee-flavored liqueur (such as Kahlua)
Orange slice or orange zest curl, for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Place sorbet in a martini or old-fashioned glass and pour ouzo and coffee-flavored liqueur over top. Swirl to combine. Garnish glass with an orange slice or top the sorbet with a zest curl, if desired. Makes 1 serving.

TYROKOULOURA
(τυροκούλουρα)
by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos and Joanne Staikopoulos Marzella
As featured in the upcoming cookbook: Kukla’s Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style

This easy-to-make Greek meze is a satisfying game-day party snack that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser. This recipe is based on snacks Kukla used to make with leftover scraps of dough…and there were no leftovers when she was done baking! The puff pastry can be found in the frozen-food section of your market. 

Do-ahead tip: These snacks can be prepared up to 1 hour ahead and baked when ready to serve. Make the twist rings, placing them on the baking sheets but do not brush them with egg or add seeds. Cover completely with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to bake, up to 1 hour. Preheat the oven, remove the plastic wrap from the baking sheets, brush the rings with egg and top them with seeds. Proceed with baking instructions in step 4.

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Baking time: about 15 minutes
Yield: 18 mezedes (appetizers)

INGREDIENTS
Vegetable shortening
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 sheet (about 9 ½-inch square) prepared puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
1 egg, beaten well
2 tablespoons shredded kasseri cheese
2 tablespoons shredded graviera cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped deli ham, dry pepperoni (sweet or hot), cooked sausage or bacon    
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons nigella seeds (black sesame, mavrosisamo)

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets; set aside.

2. On a lightly floured surface, unfold the pastry sheet and, using a rolling pin, roll out to an 11½-inch square, 1/8-inch thick.  

3. Lightly brush half of the pastry sheet with egg and sprinkle brushed side evenly with the cheeses, ham, and oregano. Lightly brush other half of the pastry sheet with egg and fold over, covering the filling completely. With fingertips, press pastry around the edges, then, using the rolling pin, roll gently over the top to seal.     

4. Cut the pastry crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick strips, about 6 inches long, making about 18 strips. Twist each strip and pinch the ends together, forming a circle. Place twist rings 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Brush the rings with egg, then sprinkle them with nigella seeds. 

5. Bake for about 15 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Serve warm (can also be served at room temperature but warm is preferable). 

Recipes © copyright 2014 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style, kuklaskouzina.com  

I hope you enjoyed World Cup Tailgating~Greece Scores the GOAL! and that you have fun watching the games. Tell us about your favorite tailgate recipes and you might see them featured here during World Cup month.

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Kelly

RESOURCES
2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
Christopher Staten (good friend and genuine, bona fide, die-hard soccer fan)

© Copyright 2014 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

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