Growing up, our mom initially went to ancestral natural remedies to treat colds, sore throats, and upset stomachs. They always worked for us, then and now, and since they’re basic elements we normally cook with, we feel better trying these first before taking (sometimes unnecessary) medicine. Incorporating ingredients like bulbs, spices, herbs, and citrus into your daily diet can help keep you healthy, but when you’re starting to feel ill, the healing components in these same ingredients can be enhanced to get you back to feeling good. Following is how we make the most out of garlic, anise seeds, marjoram and oregano, and lemon juice.
 
NOTE: Check with your doctor regarding interactions with medicines, if you have any health concerns, or if you have sensitivity to certain foods. If you have symptoms that last longer than a few days, there could be a more serious underlying condition requiring medical attention.
 
The recipes below partner with episodes on our new YouTube cooking series, Flippin’ Greek! ™, to show you how we do it in our kouzina. The link from each recipe to its YouTube episode will be active on the day of the week noted. Join us!

Medicinal: Garlic is a natural healing food with proven health benefits. When a cold is coming on, eat 1 or 2 cloves per day as a detox (raw or cooked).
​
Recipe: GREEK GARLIC BREAD (episode 145)
We roasted the garlic to create a flavorful Greek version of this recipe that’s seasoned with oregano and myzithra cheese, making this not only seriously delicious, but also deviously detoxifying.

PREP TIME: 5 minutes
BAKING TIME: about 40 minutes
SERVINGS: 4
 
1 whole head of garlic
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 mini French baguette, cut in half lengthwise
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 to 2 teaspoons grated myzithra cheese or parmesan (optional)
 
1. Heat oven to 400°F. Peel off the loose papery skin outside of the garlic head. Using a sharp knife, cut off about 1/2 inch off the top of the head, exposing all of the cloves. Transfer, cut side up, to a sheet of foil large enough to wrap the head completely. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the top, into each exposed clove. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Seal the head in the foil and place in a baking pan.
 
2. Bake 30 to 40 minutes (or up to an hour for larger heads), until the head is soft when pressed. Let stand until cool enough to handle.
 
3. Heat broiler. Cut bread two-thirds of the way through into slices, then brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Squeeze about 2 to 4 garlic cloves (to taste) onto each bread half and spread evenly to the edges (refrigerate any remaining garlic in an airtight container up to 1 week for another use). Sprinkle bread with oregano and lightly season with salt and pepper. Broil about 1 minute, until lightly toasted around the edges. Slice and serve warm.

Medicinal: Anise seed is a healing spice with antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that aid digestion. For a digestive to relieve gas in babies and adults, brew the seeds in water to make a tea.

​Recipes: ANISE BREW (episode 146)
We brewed the seeds into an aromatic, naturally sweet tea to drink or to flavor bread with, deliciously adding a healthy element to daily life.
 
TEA
Anise has the light essence of licorice and is naturally sweet, so the tea doesn’t need a sweetener. For babies, cool to warm (the temperature you would heat the baby’s milk/formula to). For adults, cool to warm, as you would drink regular tea.
 
In a small saucepot over medium heat, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon anise seeds and simmer over low heat until aromatic, about 4 minutes. Strain (discard seeds), let liquid cool to desired temperature, and enjoy.
 
BREAD FLAVOR BOOST
In a small saucepot over medium-low heat, bring 1/4 cup water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon anise seeds and simmer over low heat until aromatic, about 4 minutes. Strain (discard seeds), let liquid cool to lukewarm, and add to bread recipes with other liquids as a flavoring.

MARJORAM (MANTZOURANA) & OREGANO BREWS (episode 147)
Marjoram and oregano are healing herbs that naturally boost recipes by adding healthy elements to daily nutrition.

MARJORAM
Similar to oregano but lighter and sweeter in flavor, this herb pairs well with basil and oregano when cooking.
 
Medicinal: Through steam inhalation, marjoram helps to clear sinuses and heal laryngitis. Professional singers brew it as a tea and drink it with honey to keep their vocal cords in prime condition.
 
Recipes:
For congestion and laryngitis: In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon marjoram and simmer over low heat until aromatic, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool until not too hot but still steaming (the steam should not be so hot that it burns the skin). Inhale the steam for a few minutes.
​
For vocal-cord optimization: In a small saucepot over medium heat, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon marjoram and simmer over low heat until aromatic, about 4 minutes. Strain (discard herb) and drink with honey as a tea.
 
You can also use marjoram in place of or in combination with oregano to season lamb before grilling or roasting.
 
OREGANO, GREEK
This is the most fragrant oregano, and the most flavorful is sold in dried bunches or bouquets in Greek/Mediterranean markets. It’s grown on the mountainsides of Greece to prevent erosion, as is displayed in the word itself “oros” (mountain), “ganos” (joy).
 
Medicinal: This herb treats indigestion, coughs, and inflammation when sipped as a tea or when added to foods.
 
Recipe: In a small saucepot over medium heat, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon oregano and simmer over low heat until aromatic, about 4 minutes. Strain (discard herb) and drink it as a tea.
 
You can also place fresh oregano sprigs on feta and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, or sprinkle the leaves on salads.

Medicinal: A small amount of fresh lemon juice helps with nausea and diarrhea. Add it to a glass of water in the morning for multiple health benefits like aiding digestion, getting a good dose of vitamin C and potassium, and antioxidant protection.
 
For nausea: Drink 1 tablespoon cold fresh lemon juice.
For diarrhea: Drink 1 tablespoon hot (but not burning) fresh lemon juice.
For overall health benefits: Stir 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice into an 8-ounce glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning.

Recipe: LADOLEMONO (episode 148)
This versatile dressing features herb variations for fish, poultry, and veggies. Olive oil and garlic give this recipe added health benefits. The fact that it’s delicious will make you forget how good-for-you it is.
 
TOTAL PREP TIME: 5 minutes
MAKES: about 1/3 cup (about 2 tablespoons per serving)
 
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Pinch freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic or a pinch garlic powder
Herb: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (for fish), fresh oregano (for poultry), fresh dill (for veggies)
 
Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic until emulsified. Stir in your chosen herb until combined. (Can be made ahead. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
 
Recipes copyright © Kukla's Kouzina 
 
For more on Greek herbs, spices, and flavorings and their medicinal values, see our blogs:
Greek Herbs, Spices & Flavorings
Spice Up Your Cooking~Greek-Island Style!

I hope you enjoyed our week of Greek Healing Foods. Join us next week for Cocktails—four celebratory flips to toast the holidays!
 
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 here next Monday and on YouTube every Monday through Thursday!
 
Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!
 
Kelly

​ABOUT Kukla’s Kouzina Flippin’ Greek! ™
Flippin’ Greek! ™ is our brand new cooking series on YouTube and the next exciting chapter in our kouzina. It’s four episodes a week, Monday through Thursday, featuring familiar non-Greek recipes we flipped to Greek-island style using ingredients and cooking techniques found in Karpathos. Each episode runs 2 to 15 minutes, the perfect length for viewers to quickly learn how to recreate foods and beverages/cocktails right alongside us.

The ingredients used in Greek-island cuisine is what sets this style of cooking apart from standard Greek fare, giving meals a fresh take that keeps them interesting. Karpathos, the home of Kukla’s Kouzina, has its own unique style, and we’ll show you how to take common dishes and reinvent them into Karpathian versions with our simple substitutions.
 
Many think that everyday Greek cooking is made up of dishes like spanakopita (spinach pie), moussaka, and pastitsio. These are classics for sure, but too time-consuming to make on a regular basis. During our time in Karpathos, we learned that the locals’ quick meals made from the island’s staples like fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, spices, and protein, prepared using certain methods, came out tasting Greek-island delicious. So we thought this would be a great way to bring our hometown flavor into YOUR kouzina, adding some spicy variety to your life while keeping it simple and fast. Recipes for each week will be posted right here on our blog with links to the episodes.

​Copyright © 2020 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / Flippin’ Greek!™ / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    
 
Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

This week we're sharing our sweet experiences in Karpathos, our favorite honeys (along with recipes), and info on where you can buy them. Hold onto your appetite, this is going to be a tasty ride!

After getting a taste of what real honey should taste like, Vangeli took Joanne, Jackie, and Vinnie around the seaside town of Pigadia, popping in and out of shops and introducing them around. Their journey of varying landscapes, Karpathian foodie culture, and meeting the natives (95 percent of which turned out to be cousins in one form or another), was anything but boring.
 
“We were walking in the town and Vangeli specifically wanted us to go into what was like this general [food] store and behold another cousin!” Joanne shared, thinking that they seemed to be darting out of every corner. If you wanted to avoid them, which luckily she didn’t, you’d have to get off the island (but even then there were no guarantees). “We talked for a bit while Vinnie perused the shop,” she continued, “and he came upon a large can of thyme honey that said ‘Made in Olympos’ (a mountain village in Karpathos) with the name George Halkias on the label. Since our grandfather’s side of the family was named Halkias and most of the cousins we met were a Halkias, immediately we both think, Hey, we’re related to him!...our uncle was even named George Halkias. So I asked Vangeli about this ‘relative’ and his astounding, nonchalant reply was "Oh no, no, we aren't related to them." This, after an entire day of finding cousins in every crevice, I thought, how is it possible that we are on the same Island where our grandparents are from, and he’s named Halkias, and we aren't related?? Well, we just weren't, or so he said…then we figured maybe the name Halkias was like Jones or Smith here. We concluded there must have been a bit if inbreeding going on, and at sometime, somewhere, on someone’s family tree we are related.”
 
After all this commotion that started over a can of honey, the shop owner-cousin gave them the honey as a gift to take home. Sweet! Joanne shared the honey with me when she returned and it was the best I had ever tasted…I only wish I were there to taste it fresh off the honeycomb!

​This honey is rich in enzymes that relieve inflammation and is hailed as an excellent source of energy for athletes, children (not to be given to children under the age of 12 months), and pregnant women. It's also good for digestion and is renowned for its antimicrobial properties.
 
Monastiri honey is minimally processed so it crystallizes naturally. To return a honey to its liquid form, gently heat it by placing the opened jar in a pan of hot water over low heat just until the crystals liquefy, 10 to 15 minutes, being careful not to overheat. It should be stored at room temperature (not refrigerated) away from sunlight and heat.

The nearby island of Cyprus is leading the procession of raw honey and honey spreads with Ariadne Pure (known as Mellona in Cyprus). Their boutique collection, including an organic oak-tree honey, uses only raw honey and one natural local ingredient for each spread. All display a smooth, creamy texture, genuine flavor, and aroma. It begins with their original Raw Honey, the base for the other varieties, which include Grape Syrup (with grape must), chocolate-like Carob (with pure carob syrup), Almonds, Hazelnuts, and Peanuts. These spreads are wonderful on toast or stirred into milk or cereal for breakfast. They can be added to salad dressings, fruit, tea, or served over ice cream. The spreads can also replace sugar when baking, and make the perfect glaze for poultry, fowl or pork (a chef’s secret instant weapon!).

Some of the popular Karpathian and Greek dishes that prominently feature honey are Sisamomelo (a sesame-honey paste served at weddings), Loukoumades, Honey Cake, Melomakarona, and syrups for pitas. We love it drizzled over yogurt with fresh figs and on rustic bread with butter. It’s a deliciously sweet and healthy way to start your day and end a meal!

776 DELUXE Honey & Chios Mastic: 
​igourmet.com, Amazon, and select Whole Foods Markets

MONASTIRI thyme honey from Crete:
Titan Foods
Mediterranean Foods

ARIADNE PURE (Mellona) from Cyprus:
ariadnepure.com

​I hope you enjoyed our personal taste of honey. Read about the history of honey in our blog Honey~An Ancient Treasure. For more on the foods of Karpathos, see our blog Greek Cooking with a Karpathos Island Twist. Stay tuned for more Karpathian flavors in upcoming blogs.

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

ALERT: Special attention should be given to the fact that bee colonies are collapsing and certain bee species, like the patched bumblebee, are in danger of extinction. The recent rise in bee deaths has been linked to increased use of pesticides and insecticides in the United States. If the bees die, we eventually die. To learn more about this crisis and what you can do, visit NRDC. ​Together, we can save the bees!

​Copyright © 2020 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    
 
Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

Lemon (lemoni, λεμόνι, pronounced leh-MOH-nee): A citrus fruit with acidic juice that compels Greeks to boldly dig through the strategically-arranged stack in their supermarket’s produce section (upsetting the fruit-manager’s display) to pick the freshest unblemished of these yellow oval gems.
​
Lust (epithimia, ἐπιθυμία, pronounced eh-pee-thee-MEE-ah): An intense longing or desire for the taste and aroma of all Greek foods, especially those made with lemon.

​We literally have an ongoing lust affair with lemons and the countless ways they zest up our food. Found in appetizers like dolmadakia (stuffed grape leaves) to desserts like galaktomboureko (syrup-drenched custard in phyllo, pictured left), lemons are ever-present in our eats and no true Greek would be without lemons (yes, more than one!) in their fridge. When cooking, these tart citrus staples make whatever you’re preparing in the Greek kouzina lust-worthy, seriously! Take the aroma coming from the oven when roasting a lemon-marinated chicken with crispy-edged, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes. That barrage of lemon-scented ecstasy tests the limits of your patience when it comes to waiting for dinner to emerge—that’s lust my friends, lemon lust! And when your tummy is under the weather, you’ll be lusting after lemon’s medicinal attributes as well (which we’ll address later on in this blog). 

​Lemon—a key ingredient in just about everything in Greek cooking—adds the iconic flavor this cuisine is known for. Lemon is to Greek cuisine what curry is to Indian food. Lemon is often combined with other Greek pantry essentials such as olive oil, Greek oregano, and garlic. Lemon, along with any of these other three elements (used in various combinations), can easily turn ordinary food into a Greek dish—poultry, fish, lamb, roasted potatoes, tomato salad, artichokes, chicken soup (avgolemono, egg-lemon), sauces, desserts, and so much more—and the result will make you a lusted-after Greek god/goddess in your own kouzina. 

Following are a couple of our favorite fundamental recipes that can transform plain food into lemony Greek meals and define the term lust!
 
LADOLEMONO (olive oil and lemon dressing, λαδολέμονο, pronounced lah-tho-LEH-moh-noh)
This basic Ladolemono is the perfect dressing for broccoli and spinach/greens. When we were little, we loved our veggies while our non-Greek friends refused to eat them. Why? Ours had this lusty dressing and theirs didn’t.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: about 3/4 cup
 
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 medium lemons)
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
 
In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. Toss with cooked broccoli or steamed spinach/greens (about 3 tablespoons per serving, or to taste). (Can be made ahead. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before serving, as the olive oil will solidify when chilled.)

Variations: To make a classic Greek salad, add a teaspoon of dried Greek oregano to this recipe. To use as a marinade for chicken or lamb (to grill, broil, or roast), add the oregano and a couple of crushed garlic cloves. Feel free to adjust the amounts of olive oil and lemon juice to suit your taste—flexibility is the beauty of this recipe.

LADOLEMONO-PARSLEY DRESSING (for fish)
This enhanced Ladolemono is whisked with parsley to make the ideal accompaniment for, but not limited to, grilled or broiled fish, such as porgy/sea bream (Kukla’s favorite) and red snapper.
 
Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: about 1 cup
​
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon)
1/4 cup (packed) fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
 
In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, rind, and lemon juice until emulsified. Stir in the parsley and thyme (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and stir again to combine just before spooning over fish. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons for a small fish (such as a porgy).

Recipes © copyright 2017-2019 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style, kuklaskouzina.com 

​Every Greek family has its own version of “Windex”—a cure-all for everything that ails you—ours was, of course, the coveted lemon. Growing up, Kukla gave us freshly squeezed cold lemon juice for nausea and heated (hot but not burning) juice for diarrhea. It worked every time and to this day lemons rule in our kouzina for cooking and feeling better. Life’s lemons give you the opportunity to be Greek about it!

I hope you enjoyed our lusty celebration of lemon. More recipes featuring this Greek ingredient that ignites our passions are in our cookbook series, starting with Meze and Spreads & Dips, available on Amazon!
 
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 © 2017-2019 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    
 
Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

Thanks to a number of requests from our subscribers following our sea-salt blog, Sea Salt: Cook, Taste, Savor, we’re bringing you more fun and yummy sea salt-infused recipes. Sea salt turns up in the most unexpected places—wait ‘till you see how versatile, and surprising, it is. Get ready for a full menu of sea-salt delights!

Watermelon-Halloumi Skewers on a Salt Plate
You’ll love this sweet-and-salty meze that takes just 10 minutes to prepare! The salt plate keeps the skewers nicely chilled and flavored.    

Serves 4 to 8
​
DRESSING
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 lemon, zested (reserve zest for garnish) and juiced
Pinch HimalaSalt
·                
Four 8-inch or eight 4-inch bamboo skewers
Chilled seedless watermelon, cut into 12 (1-inch) cubes
One 8-ounce piece Halloumi cheese, cut into 12 (1-inch) cubes
Fresh basil leaves

HimalaSalt Salt Plate (chilled for 1 hour in freezer)

Freshly ground Pepper

HimalaSalt Zen Cube, for finishing

6 cherry tomatoes, chopped, for garnish

1. Make dressing: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, and HimalaSalt, whisking to form an emulsion.

2. Alternatively skewer watermelon and cheese cubes with basil leaves. Arrange on the chilled salt plate and drizzle with dressing. Lightly season with pepper and grate the Zen Cube over each skewer. Garnish with lemon zest and tomatoes. 

Recipe by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos
Copyright © Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style  

Olive Oil Poached Shrimp over Orzo
 with Feta and Smoked Sea Salt
Smoked salt gives this dish an outdoor-roasted flavor that’s just incredible.

Serves 4

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 ounces orzo pasta
1 to 1½ cups olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)

Zest of 1 large lemon 

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

½ cup dry white wine
1½ tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus sprigs for garnish

1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves, plus whole leaves for garnish

¼ to ½ teaspoon Alaska Pure Alder Smoked Sea Salt 
(to taste)
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

1. Rinse shrimp and pat dry; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add orzo and cook according to package directions; drain.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat ½-inch of oil over medium-low heat.

3. In another skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil, the garlic, and red pepper flakes over medium heat. Before garlic browns, add the lemon juice and wine and reduce to half.

4. Add the shrimp to the first skillet and cook until opaque, 2 to 3 minutes, turning once (the oil should not sizzle when shrimp is added).

5. Transfer the orzo to the second skillet with the wine reduction. Heat over medium heat and add the fresh herbs and lemon zest; toss to coat. Plate the pasta, place shrimp on top, and garnish with the whole herbs. Finish with smoked sea salt, pepper, and feta. Serve hot.

Chocolate Molten Cakes with Sea Salt and Balsamic Vinegar
The flavor of these lava cakes is heightened by the addition of sea salt and balsamic vinegar.
NOTE: Make sure you use aged balsamic—it’s thicker, less acidic, and sweeter than regular.

Serves 6

½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), plus more for ramekins
7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (about 1¾ cups)

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

3 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons port wine

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
Alaska Pure Sea Salt

Raspberries or Strawberries, for garnish

Good quality aged balsamic vinegar


1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter six 4-ounce ramekins and place in a rimmed baking pan; set aside. Bring a kettle of water to a simmer.

2. Heat together the chocolate and butter in a large heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring until melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in sugar and kosher salt until dissolved, about 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in eggs until smooth. Whisk in wine, vanilla, and flour until combined. Evenly Divide batter among prepared ramekins, filling 2/3 of the way up sides. Lightly sprinkle sea salt over tops. Pour the hot water into the pan, being careful not to spill into the batter, until it reaches halfway up the ramekins.

3. Bake 14 to 16 minutes, until the cakes are set and dry. Remove from the oven and let cool in water bath for 2 minutes. Carefully remove ramekins from water bath (they will be very hot) and place on a paper towel-lined heatproof surface. Garnish each with berries, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, and lightly sprinkle with sea salt. Serve warm.

Recipes courtesy of Alaska Pure Sea Salt Company

Hot Fudge Sauce
Chili sea salt intensifies the flavor of chocolate, taking irresistible to a whole new level.

Makes about 1 cup

½ cup unsweetened cocoa
½ cup sugar
½ cup milk
Pinch Falksalt Chipotle Sea Salt Flakes

Combine cocoa,
 sugar, and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in sea salt until dissolved. Cool slightly and serve over ice cream or as a fruit fondue.

Recipe courtesy of Falksalt

We hope you enjoyed cooking with sea salt. Here's the link to our sea-salt blog (in case you missed it): Sea Salt: Cook, Taste, Savor. For more about the flavors in our kouzina, check out Greek Herbs, Spices & Flavorings. Stay tuned for more upcoming blogs on spices that we'll pair with recipes to show them off!

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 © 2013-2020 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

For thousands of years the evaporation of seawater has provided mankind with the most flavorful salt to eat and cook with. Poseidon, the God of the Sea, himself divined it to be so. In Kukla’s Kouzina, as in Greece, it’s the only salt we use in our kitchens! Our number one reason is the flavor, followed closely by it being the healthier choice.

“Alas” is the ancient Greek word for salt, derived from its earlier form “als,” meaning sea. This became “sal” in Latin, then sealt in Old English. The root remains in the modern Greek word for sea, Thalassa (th-alas-sa, θάλασσα), and the word for salt, alati (αλάτι).

Early on, ancient hunting-and-gathering civilizations discovered the role salt played in food preservation and bodily health (when paired with potassium) such as fluid balance, energy production, and kidney function. Salt was scarce then, making it a tremendously valuable commodity, so much so that it was used in place of money for trade and payment of wages, hence the origin of the phrase "worth your salt." Salt was prized by the ancient Hebrews and Greeks, and in the days of the Roman Empire soldiers received a salt stipend as part of their salary. In fact, the word "salary" comes from the Latin word for salt and "salarium" was the term used for a soldier's pay in ancient Rome. From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, salt become more abundant and subsequently affordable. Today salt is inexpensive and available worldwide.

Salt (sodium chloride) comes from one of two places, either from underground salt deposits (table salt) or from the sea (sea salt). By weight, both table salt and sea salt contain the same amount of sodium (about 40 percent) but by spoon measurement you’re actually using a little less sea salt because of its flaky texture, resulting in less sodium and more flavor in your food. 

Back To The Salt Mines
Table salt is mined from the underground salt deposits and then processed to give it a fine texture so it’s easier to sprinkle and use in recipes. Processing strips table salt of any minerals and nutrients it may have contained, and additives are also usually mixed in to prevent clumping or caking, resulting in a harsh chemical taste. Most table salt also has added iodine (one of the nutrients lost during processing), which helps maintain a healthy thyroid. 

“Salt is born of the purest parents: The sun and the sea”
~Pythagoras (c. 570 to c. 490 BC)
Sea salt is obtained directly through the evaporation of seawater, ocean water or saltwater lakes. It’s usually not processed, or undergoes minimal processing, therefore retaining trace levels of minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium and other nutrients. The minerals add flavor and color to sea salt, which also comes in various grain grades and crunchy textures. Sea salt contains naturally occurring iodine and does not need to have it added. The final result is a delicate (brine) taste and pleasant mouthfeel. 

“…originally the sun raises and attracts the thinnest and lightest part of the water, 
as is obvious from the nature of salts; 
for the saltish part is left behind owing to its thickness and weight, 
and forms salts.”

On Airs, Waters, and Places
~Hippocrates (c. 400 B.C.)

Sea Salt Textures & Forms: For eating and cooking, sea salt comes in fine and coarse grains, flaked, and in large crystals. For serving, sea-salt bowls, plates, and cups are available. For a cooking surface, sea-salt slabs are ideal for flavoring seafood, meats, and vegetables.

Origins: The Mediterranean Sea (including Greece, Cyprus, France, Italy, and Israel) and the Atlantic and Pacific coasts are the most popular, but where there is saltwater there is sea salt waiting to be harvested.

Natural Sea Salt: The salts in this category have no added flavorings but vary greatly in color and taste depending on the mineral content in the water they’re extracted from, and/or the type of soil or rocks surrounding their deposits. 

Flavored Sea Salt: Smoked, mushroom, lemon, herbed, wine, lava, fruit…the countless infused sea-salt varieties available today are definitely the spice of life!

The making of flavored sea salts involves human interaction where the natural salt is exposed to particular essences. These salts are deliberately smoked (using different woods, such as applewood or alderwood), soaked or combined with flavors to enhance the sea-salt experience (such as black sea salt from Cyprus getting it’s color from activated charcoal, which acts as a natural detoxifier).

Uses: Natural sea salts are great for table use and cooking, adding a pure, vibrant flavor to dishes that will have you tossing your table salt over your left shoulder and into the trash. Some sea salts, natural and flavored, have a unique texture, color or taste making them ideal for finishing dishes just before serving, garnishing the food as well as seasoning it. Flavored sea salts can be used at the table, for cooking, and finishing, adding a fascinating dimension to any meal.

Mentis Fleur de Sel
Product of: Laconia, Greece
Grades available: Premium, medium grain
About: Mentis Fleur de Sel is 100% hand-harvested using artisanal methods to produce the finest quality sea salt with its full compliment of minerals and the delicate taste of the Mediterranean Sea. This product is a premium sea salt that enhances flavors, improves the texture of foods, and renders far more delicious meals. It is also excellent as a condiment over salads, vegetables, and any type of meat or fish. Locally harvested salt is a unique way to experience the rare and complex flavor of a region and the essence of a country.
Taste & feel: Nuanced and delicate flavor that sets this above regular sea salt; flakey with a subtle crunch.
Uses: Finishing salt for meat, fish, salad, and vegetables. This salt has become a dessert trend, adding a new taste dimension when sprinkled over chocolates, ice cream, or fruit. The contrast of flavors and textures will excite your taste buds. 

Falksalt 
Product of: Cyprus
Grades available: Crystal flakes
About: Sea salt flakes are produced in the old-fashioned traditional way from Mediterranean sea water. In a dust-free environment, experienced salt makers heat up the sea water and let it evaporate until the delicate pyramid shaped crystal flakes appear. The salt is then harvested, dried, sieved, and packed—all by hand.
Taste & feel: The flaky, crunchy structure of the salt is never hidden in a dish, but instead becomes a more active ingredient. This especially holds true for Falksalt’s popular, flavored salts.
Uses: Cooking, roasting, baking, meats, seafood, sauces/soups, and more.
Our salty pleasures:
Citron: Sprinkle citron flake salt on a baking tray and layer your fish on top (haddock, salmon, pike-perch, or any fish you like). Bake in the oven and prepare for a spectacular lemony fish without added fat.
Wild Garlic: Combine softened unsalted whipped butter with wild garlic flake salt. Spread on French or Italian bread, horizontally cut down the middle, and toast in the oven.

Recipes with more Falksalt flavored salts below.

La Baleine
Product of: France
Grades available: Fine ("fin") and coarse (“gros”) bright-white crystals (coming soon, kosher sea salt with a grain size between fine and coarse, and grey)
About: La Baleine Salins du Midi, Mediterranean sea salt, is a naturally evaporated salt gathered from the salt-pan at Aigues-Mortes—a protected area covering nearly 42 square miles of untamed land where wildlife and flora remain untouched—from before the Roman occupation. La Baleine has been produced in the Aigues-Mortes saltworks in Camargue, France since 1856.
Taste & feel: The crystals have a satisfying crunch and dissolve quickly.
Uses: Table, cooking, roasting, baking, meats, seafood, sauces/soups, brining
Our salty pleasure: For everyday eating and cooking it’s fin. The small flake-like kosher form is great for cooking and the grey adds a delicious earthy dimension to any dish. La Baleine is a staple in our pantry and is readily available in supermarkets and specialty stores nationwide.

Italian Black Truffle 
Product of: Sicily, Italy
Grades available: Fine and coarse grains
Taste & feel: This all-natural salt combines the distinct taste of black truffles with pure Sicilian sea salt to create an uncommonly delicious flavoring.
Uses: Table, cooking, and finishing. Adds a hint of earthy mushroom flavor to beef, eggs, potatoes, and pasta.

Merlot Sea Salt
Product of: USA
Grades available: Medium grain
About: On the Garonne River in the early 20th century, salt and wine was transported by small boats. One day, after arriving in the port of Libourne, the sailors discovered that their cargo of wine had escaped from the barrels. The spilled wine soiled the pure white Fleur de Sel. Unable to sell the stained salt, they gave it to Valentine Cornier, the vintner’s wife. Amused by the surprising color of this particular salt, she decided to add some spices and use it to bring savor and originality into her meals.
   From France, where the inspiration began, to the U.S. where the dream expands, this visually-stunning finishing salt adds rich dimension to as many dishes your imagination can conjure.
Taste & feel: Spicy, exotic, peppery
Uses: Primarily a finishing salt, it pairs well with grilled meats, especially lamb. It’s also delicious added to gravy and sauces, as well as on a spring salad with freshly-shaved cheese.

Alaska Pure Sea Salt 
Product of: Alaska, USA
Grades available: Natural and flavored flakes
About: This high-quality flake-style finishing salt comes straight from the pristine waters of Southeastern Alaska. As North America's first producer of flake sea salt, Alaska Pure Sea Salt is quickly becoming the preferred finishing salt for a number of top Northwestern chefs. Sea salts produced include Original Flake, Alder Smoked Flake, and Sitka Spruce Tip finishing salts. Seasonal flavors like Wild Blueberry Flake are available in limited supply.
Taste & feel: Mild, flavorful, crisp
Uses: Finishing
Our salty pleasures:
Adler Smoked  Smoked over a natural alder-wood fire, this salt has a "just off the BBQ" flavor. Delicious on salmon, red meat, and veggies. Try it on eggs, avocado, coffee ice cream (yes really!), and in your next Bloody Mary.
Sitka Spruce Tip  The Sitka spruce tree is native to the Coastal Rainforest of the Northwest. For generations the tips have been used as a natural ingredient in syrup, jam, beer, and now sea salt. This salt is made by infusing the handpicked, bright green spring Spruce tips into light sea-salt flakes. Nothing else is added. With a distinct citrus and herbal flavor, this salt pairs well with seafood, chicken, pork, beef, vegetables, and even popcorn.
Wild Blueberry  Infused with only handpicked wild Alaskan blueberries, this salt brightens up almost all desserts, from chocolate brownies to fruit sorbets, and adds a beautiful punch of color. It’s also perfect with salads, fruit, and wild game such as duck or venison.    

Hawaii Kai Black Lava
Product of: Hawaii, USA
Grades available: Fine, medium, and coarse grains
About: In the Hawaiian language, "kai" means "ocean," the source of life. Activated charcoal is added to this solar evaporated black lava Pacific sea salt to give it both a beautiful color and important health benefits. This salt should not be used during the actual cooking process as it will dissolve and the added black elements will settle to the bottom as a residue. 
Taste & feel: Bold, robust, and crunchy
Uses: Table salt mills, finishing for salads, meats, and seafood. The silky black color makes this a great garnishing salt.

Applewood Smoked Pacific 
Product of: Yakima Valley in Washington State, USA
Grades available: Fine flake
About: Aged applewood is one of the most popular of the fruit woods used in smoking and creates a delicious, savory taste. The sweetness of the wood fuels the fires that flavor this naturally smoked sea salt.
Taste & feel: A subtle fruit wood-roasted flavor and delicate crunch
Uses: Finishing, spice blends, salads, meats, seafood, sauces/soups, salt cures, brines. Mild enough to use with fish, shellfish, and poultry. Pork, sausage, ham, and bacon are also delicious when cooked or cured with this smoked salt. Cook in a cast-iron skillet to bring the flavor of an outdoor barbecue into your home.

HimalaSalt (Himalayan Sea Salt)
Product of: Himalayas
Grades available: Fine and coarse grains
About: HimalaSalt was formed 250 million years ago from the primordial ocean during a time of great tectonic pressure and pristine environmental integrity. Hand-harvested from a protected source deep within the exotic and remote Himalayas, this salt remains free of impurities. Its rare, gorgeous pink color stems from its naturally high content of wholesome essential minerals. This salt is never heat-treated or processed. It is slowly stone-ground to retain its full potency of rich essential minerals, delicious full flavor, and health-giving alkaline properties. This salt is free of additives or anti-caking and flow agents, maintaining its authentic purity and goodness.
Taste & feel: Rich, full flavor with a pleasant crunch
Uses: Table, cooking, finishing, soups, pickling, sauces, sautés

SEAFOOD SEA-SALT SEASONING
¼ cup lemon-flavored sea salt flakes, such as Falksalt Citron Crystal Flakes
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried dill weed

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until salt is finely grated. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place (do not refrigerate).    

Use as a seasoning on seafood before cooking.

GARLIC & WINE-INFUSED BUTTER
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon garlic-infused sea salt flakes, such as Cyprus Wild Garlic Salt (Flake)
2 tablespoons dry white wine

Using a whisk attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce to medium-low speed and beat in the salt and wine until combined. Transfer to a serving bowl and chill until firm. (Can be made up to 1 week ahead.)

Use as a flavoring for meats, seafood, pastas, and a spread for crusty bread.

CHILI NUTS
Shelled nuts (cashews, almonds, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts, or a combination of your favorites)
Olive oil
Chili-infused sea salt, such as Falksalt Chipotle Crystal Flakes

Heat oven to 350°F. In an ungreased baking pan, toss the nuts with just enough oil to lightly coat, then spread out in a single layer. Bake until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, season with chili salt, and let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipes by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos
Copyright © 2013-2019 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style  

ONLINE SHOPPING
Recipiada (Mentis Fleur de Sel)
ParthenonFoods.com
Falksalt
The Spice Lab
Alaska Pure Sea Salt
Amazon

Salt, it’s something we take for granted, not appreciating its value so long ago. Today, sea salt is not only affordable and available, but it’s offered in so many delectable varieties that spice up our table and add variety to our lives. Remember that there’s history in that shaker or grinder you reach for, so use it to make your next dish one for the record books!

We hope you enjoyed learning about and cooking with the spice of the sea with us. For more on this tasty topic, make sure you check out next week's blog Sea Salt~Meze to Dessert Recipes. For other Greek flavors of the kitchen, go to our Greek Herbs, Spices & Flavorings.  Stay tuned for upcoming segments on more spices and flavors we love to cook with!
 
Don’t forget to check out our new cookbook Kukla’s Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style, Meze (Appetizers & Petite Plates), available on Amazon (link on our website).

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

​SOURCES
Mayo Clinic
American Heart Association

Copyright © 2013-2020 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

Welcome back for part 2 of our honey blog! In Honey~An Ancient Treasure (part 1) we talked about honey's history and its value beyond the foodie category. This week we'll share our own sweet experiences in Karpathos, tell you about our favorite honeys (along with recipes), plus where you can buy them. 

Hold onto your appetite, this is going to be a tasty ride!

After getting a taste of what real honey should taste like, Vangeli took Joanne, Jackie, and Vinnie around the seaside town of Pigadia, popping in and out of shops and introducing them around. Their journey of varying landscapes, Karpathian foodie culture, and meeting the natives (95 percent of which turned out to be cousins in one form or another), was anything but boring. 

“We were walking in the town and Vangeli specifically wanted us to go into what was like this general [food] store and behold another cousin,” Joanne shared, thinking that they seemed to be darting out of every corner. If you wanted to avoid them, which luckily she didn’t, you’d have to get off the island (but even then there were no guarantees). “We talked for a bit while Vinnie perused the shop,” she continued, “and he came upon a large can of thyme honey that said ‘Made in Olympos’ (a mountain village in Karpathos) with the name George Halkias on the label. Since our grandfather’s side of the family was named Halkias and most of the cousins we met were a Halkias, immediately we both think, Hey, we’re related to him!...our uncle was even named George Halkias. So I asked Vangeli about this ‘relative’ and his astounding, nonchalant reply was "Oh no, no, we aren't related to him." This, after an entire day of finding cousins in every crevice, I thought, how is it possible that we are on the same Island where our grandparents are from, and he’s named Halkias, and we aren't related?? Well, we just weren't, or so he said…then we figured maybe the name Halkias was like Jones or Smith here. We concluded there must have been a bit if inbreeding going on, and at sometime, somewhere, on someone’s family tree we are related.” 

After all this commotion that started over a can of honey, the shop owner-cousin gave them the honey as a gift to take home. Sweet! Joanne shared the honey with me when she returned and it was the best I had ever tasted…I only wish I were there to taste it fresh off the honeycomb!

Karpathian honey is not widely exported but a close second is thyme honey from Crete, which is available in Greek grocery stores and Mediterranean shops, as well as online. Our favorite is honey with mastic from 776 Deluxe Foods, flavored with a drop of masticha oil extracted from the sap of the mastic tree. The aroma has an herbal-pine aroma that makes this luscious one-of-a-kind honey lovely on its own, or add to lemonade, ice cream, or drizzle over fresh figs for a pop of Greek flavor! Another favorite is Cretan Monastiri honey, a pure "anthomelo" (ανθόμελο) that is produced from the nectar of flowers located in remotely populated areas on the island. Monastiri beekeepers position their hives on the rocky, windswept hills of the island, as they have for 3,000 years. The honey is harvested, aged, filtered, and cleared naturally, without the use of any preservatives. The resulting honey embodies a subtle thyme aroma and an intense floral aftertaste, perfect in teas, over yogurt, and on toast, as well as for cooking.

This honey is rich in enzymes that relieve inflammation and is hailed as an excellent source of energy for athletes, children (not to be given to children under the age of 12 months), and pregnant women. It's also good for digestion and is renowned for its antimicrobial properties.

Monastiri honey is minimally processed so it crystallizes naturally. To return a honey to its liquid form, gently heat it by placing the opened jar in a pan of hot water over low heat just until the crystals liquefy, 10 to 15 minutes, being careful not to overheat. It should be stored at room temperature (not refrigerated) away from sunlight and heat. 

The nearby island of Cyprus is leading the procession of raw honey and honey spreads with Ariadne Pure (known as Mellona in Cyprus). Their boutique collection, including an organic oak-tree honey, uses only raw honey and one natural local ingredient for each spread. All display a smooth, creamy texture, genuine flavor, and aroma. It begins with their original Raw Honey, the base for the other varieties, which include Grape Syrup (with grape must), chocolate-like Carob (with pure carob syrup), Almonds, Hazelnuts, and Peanuts. These spreads are wonderful on toast or stirred into milk or cereal for breakfast. They can be added to salad dressings, fruit, tea, or served over ice cream. The spreads can also replace sugar when baking, and make the perfect glaze for poultry, fowl or pork (a chef’s secret instant weapon!). 

Some of the popular Karpathian and Greek dishes that prominently feature honey are Sisamomelo (a sesame-honey paste served at weddings), Loukoumades, Honey Cake, Melomakarona, and syrups for pitas. We love it drizzled over yogurt with fresh figs and on rustic bread with butter. It’s a deliciously sweet and healthy way to start your day and end a meal!

776 DELUXE Honey & Chios Mastic: igourmet.com

MONASTIRI honey from Crete:
   Titan Foods
   Mediterranean Foods (2 locations in Astoria, NY), 22-78 35th Street (718-721-0266) 
      and 30-12 34th Street (718-728-6166)

ARIADNE PURE (Mellona) Honey from Cyprus: ariadnepure.com 

​I hope you enjoyed our personal taste of honey. Here's the link to Honey~An Ancient Treasure (part 1) in case you missed it. For more on the foods of Karpathos, see our blog Greek Cooking with a Karpathos Island Twist. Stay tuned for more Karpathian flavors in upcoming blogs.

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 © 2013-2019 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

Honey (meli, μέλι), an essential ingredient in most Greek and Karpathian confections, is the oldest sweet known to exist. It has been written about in Greek mythology, it has played a part in spiritual offerings, and it made history after being discovered in the most unexpected places. 

Here are some fun facts to give you a taste of the important role honey has played in civilization:

This is a species that knows how to do one thing really well and proves that (in this case at least) going into the family business is sweet! 

Throughout history, honey has been valued for more than just sweetening. For thousands of years it has been used as a therapeutic remedy for health issues. Greeks discovered honey’s medicinal value as containing antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal elements.

The ancient healers also recognized honey for its antioxidant properties in fighting disease, including cancer. It has been used for thousands of years as a treatment for sore throats and coughs (it’s a natural expectorant), and according to recent research, may in fact be more effective than some OTC medicines. Combine honey with lemon juice and heat until warm, then consume slowly to coat the throat and ease discomfort. Honey can also be used as an effective antimicrobial agent to treat minor burns, cuts, and other bacterial infections. 

"Honey and pollen cause warmth, clean sores and ulcers, 
soften hard ulcers of the lips, heal carbuncles and running sores."
~Hippocrates
(Greek physician who lived to the ripe youthful age of 115, c. 460-375 BC)

Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and student of Socrates, believed that honey prolonged life. 

Built in the 4th century BC, the ancient healing spa Asklepieion (Ἀσκληπιεῖον), named after the god of healing and medicine, Aesculapius, boasted a honey therapy that was renowned throughout all of the Mediterranean. 

"The secret of my health is applying honey inside, and oil outside."
~Democritus
(Greek philosopher who lived to the age of 109, c. 460-370 BC)

The color of honey comes from the nectar’s source, and the darker the color, the more intense the flavor. Today the varieties of honey available are seemingly endless. Hundreds crowd the international marketplace, the most common being clover, orange blossom, and sage. Regional honey producers offer limited quantities from blossoms like thyme, lavender, linden, and raspberry. 

You can find honey in three basic forms: comb honey (with the liquid still in the comb), chunk-style honey (honey with pieces of comb in the jar), and liquid honey (extracted from the comb and often pasteurized to prevent crystallization). Pasteurizing changes the delicate flavor of the honey but isn’t needed to preserve it…keep in mind that crystallization is not a bad thing (for info on re-liquefying honey, check next week's part 2 of our honey blog). Commercial honeys can be overly processed and may contain sugar, completely altering the taste of something that needs no alteration. 

The best honey in Greece comes from thyme (thymari, θυμάρι, pronounced thee-MAH-ree) and is considered to be the finest honey in the world. 

In Karpathos, it comes from family-owned bee farms and is extracted from their own honeycombs. Greek honey is especially high in vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, and minerals.       

I hope you enjoyed getting to know one of our favorite things, honey. Don't miss next week's Honey~An Ancient Treasure (part 2) where we'll share our own sweet experiences in Karpathos and tell you about our favorite honeys available outside of our island (shopping info & recipes included!).

For more Karpathian/Greek recipes, check out our new cookbooks Kukla’s Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style, Meze (Appetizers & Petite Plates) and Spreads & Dips, available on Amazon. These are the first two books in a series that we have developed and we’re excited to see this dream become reality! For details about the books and us, go to our BOOKS 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

ALERT: Special attention should be given to the fact that bee colonies are collapsing and certain bee species, like the patched bumblebee, are in danger of extinction. The recent rise in bee deaths has been linked to increased use of pesticides and insecticides in the United States. If the bees die, we eventually die. To learn more about this crisis and what you can do, visit NRDC. ​Together, we can save the bees!

Copyright © 2013-2019 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    

Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

​Is your spice rack Greek friendly? There are a number of spices and flavorings that are used specifically for Greek cooking (and healing) and a few that are also used in other cuisines. You might be surprised to find out you already have some of these seasonings, and eager to learn about the ones you never heard of before. Get ready to stock up on some essential Greek-kouzina spice staples!
 
My Big Fat Greek Spice Rack
Following are the spices and herbs no self-respecting Greek would ever be without. If you want to cook like a Greek, you have to stock up like one. Once you have your grocery list ready, check out the stores and websites at the end that carry these items. 

Anise seeds (glykaniso, γλυκάνισο, pronounced ghlee-KAH-nee-so)
This seed is what gives ouzo its distinctive smell, and flavors so many foods in Karpathian cooking. Because the seeds are potent, you only need a small amount to give breads, cakes, and pastries a tasty accent. The preparation we use is: Combine 1/2 teaspoon seeds with ¼ cup water and bring to a boil, then simmer 5 minutes or until aromatic. The strained liquid is then added to recipes.
These seeds also have a medicinal digestive use for easing gas pains in babies (and adults): Bring 1 teaspoon anise seed and 2/3 cup water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Strain and cool to warm. Babies love it because it has a natural sweetness, and it makes them feel better fast.

​Mahlab seeds (mahlepi, μαχλέπι, pronounced mah-HLEH-pee)
Mahlepi seeds are the tiny (about 1/4 inch) dried pits of wild cherries native to the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Mahlepi is sold as whole seeds and ground, and should be light beige in color (they get dark when they’re old and stale). Whole seeds have a longer shelf life and can be frozen (in a heavy-duty freezer bag) up to two years. When ready to use, the seeds are ground using a mortar and pestle. This beautifully aromatic spice is used to flavor cakes, pastries, and holiday breads. Mahlepi gives tsoureki (Greek Easter bread) its trademark fragrance and fills the kitchen, and house, with its extraordinary sweetness when baking. 

​Mastic (mastiha, μαστίχα, pronounced ma-STEE-hah)
Mastiha is the rare crystallized resin that seeps from the bark of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). The tree, indigenous to the island of Chios, also produces a wild pistachio. The resin, which drips in the shape of teardrops, has been the island’s trademark and largest export from ancient times, and is the main source of income for thousands of families on Chios. The value of the mastic trees on Chios has invoked numerous invasions by other civilizations as well as pirates. Masticate, meaning “to chew,” is derived from the word mastiha, which is actually the word Greeks use for chewing gum, and it is believed that this was the very first gum in history. Mastiha is used in a number of different products, including chewing gum, alcoholic beverages, breads, ice cream, syrups, and sweets. Before adding it to recipes, the crystalized resin beads must be ground into a powder, along with a little sugar from the recipe, using a mortar and pestle. The sugar keeps the mastic from sticking to the surface of the mortar and pestle (which it will do if you try to grind it alone) and allows it to be ground into a fine texture.

​Nigella seeds (black sesame, mavrosisamo, μαυροσíσαμο, pronounced ma-vro-SEE-sahmo)
These small black seeds are about the size of sesame seeds and look like they could be black sesame but in fact are not sesame at all. They are picked from the Nigella sativa plant grown in Egypt and India. Nigella seeds are a spice as well as a seed, imparting a smoky, oregano-peppery flavor to recipes. The most common use is sprinkling them on breads, kouloures, and breadsticks, alone or combined with sesame. The essential oils in the seeds have antimicrobial agents and can benefit digestion by eliminating parasites. 

Sea Salt (thalassino alati, θαλασσινó αλάτι, pronounced tha-la-see-NOH ah-LAH-tee)
Amazing food requires high-quality ingredients—fresh vegetables, choice meats, and, yes, sea salt! Sea salt is the only salt used in traditional Greek cooking. Its natural, salt-water flavor is a far cry from the chemical taste of table salt and you will notice the difference! Sea salt also dissolves more easily than table salt when cooking, and is lower in sodium (it’s flaked, so there’s less salt per measure) so it’s a healthier choice as well. Greek sea salt comes in fine, medium, and coarse crystals, is inexpensive, and can be found in Greek/Mediterranean stores, as well as online.

​Cinnamon (kanela, κανέλα, pronounced kah-NEH-lah)
In stick form you can tell that cinnamon is the inner bark of a tree, a tropical evergreen tree to be exact. Both stick and ground versions are used in a wide array of dishes. From a subtle flavoring in meat sauces used in moussaka and pastitsio, to a more prominent taste in sweets like baklava and galaktomboureko, this spice is invaluable in the Greek kouzina. Ancient physicians prescribed cinnamon to improve circulatory health and today’s research suggests that it may reduce blood-sugar levels in diabetics (just ½ teaspoon per day).

RESOURCES:
Mayo Clinic: Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?
Medical News Today: Cinnamon, blood sugar, and diabetes

​Cloves (garifalo, γαρίφαλο, pronounced ghah-REE-fah-loh)
These dried, unopened flower buds of the tropical evergreen clove tree are a valuable spice worldwide. Clove’s aromatic, peppery flavor lends itself to a number of dishes from sauces and meats to desserts like karithopita (nut cake with syrup) and spoon sweets. For centuries, cloves have been chewed to eliminate bad breath and it’s not surprising that some Greeks always have a small bag they carry with them.

​Nutmeg (moschokaritho, μοσχοκάρυδο, pronounced moh-shoh-KAH-ree-thoh)
This dark-brown seed from the nutmeg tree is a lighter brown to tan color on the inside and has a warm, spicy-sweet taste. Though you can use it pre-ground, for the most aromatic and flavorful addition to your foods, we suggest you grate it fresh when you need it (you will notice the difference). You’ll find this spice in béchamel sauce (used in moussaka and pastitsio), potato croquettes, syrups, and cakes.

​Allspice (mbahari, μπαχάρι, pronounced mbah-HAH-ree)
This pea-sized berry of the evergreen pimiento tree seems to embody the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, hence the name. Sold in dried-berry and ground form, it’s best to grind the berries as needed for the freshest taste. A pinch goes a long way in tomato-based sauces, meats, and Karpathian breads.

​Cardamom (karthamo, κάρδαμο, pronounced KAR-thah-moh)
This aromatic spice is a member of the ginger family and takes the form of seeds in small pods. Cardamom is sold in seed (to grind for recipes) and finely ground forms. We use it ground in sweets and find this spice to be potent enough to last up to a year. Ancient Greeks and Romans scented their perfumes with cardamom and ancient Egyptians chewed on the seeds to clean their teeth.

Vanillin (powdered crystalline vanilla, vanilia, βανίλια, pronounced vah-NEEL-yah)
This is the only vanilla used in Greek baking because it’s the most flavorful component of the vanilla bean. It’s white in color, looks a bit like confectioners’ sugar, and is made up of tiny crystal flakes. The flavor is super concentrated compared to vanilla extract so you would use a very small amount—a pinch usually does the trick. It imparts a pure vanilla essence to recipes, without the aftertaste of alcohol (from the extract), making it perfect for custards, cakes, cookies, and breads. It’s a bit pricey but remember that a little goes a very long way, and it will make your Greek desserts taste like heaven, the way they should!

Ready, set, shop!
 
SOURCES (for purchase)
Mediterranean Foods (2 locations)
22-78 35th Street
Astoria, NY 11105
718-721-0266
 
30-12 34th Street
Astoria, NY 11103
718-728-6166
 
Sahadi’s, 187 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Titan Foods, 25-56 31st Street, Astoria, NY
GreekShops.com
Greek Market
Parthenon Foods
 
We hope you enjoyed our journey down the spice aisle. Stay tuned for upcoming segments on uniquely Greek ingredients!
 
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 © 2019 Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!    
 
Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos

Is your pantry Greek friendly? There are a number of spices and herbs that are used specifically for Greek cooking (and healing) and a few that are also used in other cuisines. You might be surprised to find out you already have some of these flavorings, and eager to learn about the ones you never heard of before. Get ready to stock up on some essential Greek kouzina staples!

Following are the spices and herbs no self-respecting Greek would ever be without. If you want to cook like a Greek, you have to stock up like one. 

Once you have your grocery list ready, check out the stores and websites at the end that carry these items. 

Anise seeds (glykaniso, γλυκάνισο, pronounced ghlee-KAH-nee-soh)

This seed is what gives ouzo its distinctive aroma, and flavors so many foods in Karpathian cooking. Because the seeds are potent, you only need a small amount to give breads, cakes, and pastries a tasty accent. We brew the seeds into a tea and add the strained liquid to recipes.

These seeds also have a medicinal, digestive use for easing gas pains in babies (and adults): Bring 1 teaspoon anise seed and 2/3 cup water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Strain and cool to warm. Babies love it because it has a natural sweetness, and it makes them feel better fast.

Sea Salt (thalassino alati, θαλασσινó αλάτι, pronounced thah-lah-see-NOH ah-LAH-tee)

Amazing food requires high-quality ingredients—fresh vegetables, choice meats, and, yes, sea salt! Sea salt is the only salt used in traditional Greek cooking. Its natural, salt-water flavor is a far cry from the chemical taste of table salt and you will notice the difference. Sea salt also dissolves more easily than table salt when cooking, and it's flakey texture makes it lower in sodium per spoon measure, so it’s a healthier choice as well. Greek sea salt comes in fine, medium, and coarse crystals, is inexpensive, and can be found in Greek/Mediterranean stores, as well as online. For more on sea salt, check out our blogs: Sea Salt: Cook, Taste, Savor and Sea Salt: Meze to Dessert Recipes.

Cloves (garifalo, γαρίφαλο, pronounced ghah-REE-fah-loh)

These dried, unopened flower buds of the tropical evergreen clove tree are a valuable spice worldwide. Clove’s aromatic, peppery flavor lends itself to a number of dishes from sauces and meats to desserts like karithopita (nut cake with syrup), cookies like kourambiethes and ahlathakia (almond pears), and spoon sweets. 

For centuries, cloves have been chewed to eliminate bad breath and it’s not surprising that some Greeks always have a small bag they carry with them.

Nutmeg (moschokaritho, μοσχοκάρυδο, pronounced moh-shoh-KAH-ree-thoh)

This dark-brown seed from the nutmeg tree is a lighter brown to tan color on the inside and has a warm, spicy-sweet taste. Though you can use it pre-ground, for the most aromatic and flavorful addition to your foods, we suggest you grate it fresh when you need it (you will notice the difference). You’ll find this spice in béchamel sauce (used in moussaka and pastitsio), potato croquettes, syrups, and cakes.

Allspice (mbahari, μπαχάρι, pronounced mbah-HAH-ree)

This pea-sized berry of the evergreen pimiento tree seems to embody the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, hence the name. Sold in dried-berry and ground form, it’s best to grind the berries as needed for the freshest taste. A pinch goes a long way in tomato-based sauces, meats, and Karpathian breads.

Cardamom (karthamo, κάρδαμο, pronounced KAHR-thah-moh)

This aromatic spice is a member of the ginger family and takes the form of seeds in small pods. Cardamom is sold in seed (to grind for recipes) and finely-ground form. We use it ground in sweets and find this spice to be potent enough to last up to a year.

Ancient Greeks and Romans scented their perfumes with cardamom and ancient Egyptians chewed on the seeds to clean their teeth.

Mint (thyosmos, δυόσμος, pronounced thee-OHZ-mohs)

This herb is used fresh and dried, each imparting a very different taste and aroma to a wide array of dishes, including keftedakia/keftethakia (herbed mini meatballs), kolokithopita (zucchini pie), and dolmades/dolmathes.

This herb can also be brewed to make a cleansing herbal tea that aids in digestion and calms the stomach.

Thyme (thymari, θυμάρι, pronounced thee-MAH-ree)

Both fresh and dried are used but the fresh is preferred. Thyme is widely used as an infusion for olive oil and vinegar, and in a number of dishes, including soups, stews, poultry, fish, and stuffed vegetables. It is also used to flavor breads and spoon sweets. Best of all, Greek-island honey is thyme scented, as this herb grows throughout the countrysides and bees love the nectar from its little purple flowers.

Savory (throumbi, θροúμπı, pronounced thrOOm-bee)

With a flavor between oregano and thyme, this herb is used fresh or dried to flavor olives, legumes, pork, grilled fish, soups, and stews.

Since ancient times, savory has been lauded for its medicinal use in a tea (brewed with mallow/moloha) to heal ulcers and control flatulence. Two kinds of savory are grown worldwide, a summer variety is used for cooking, and a winter variety is used medicinally.

Basil (vasilikos, βασιλικός, pronounced vah-see-lee-KOHS)

Fresh basil is always best but dried can also be used. Tomato-based recipes often include this herb, as well as vegetable, meat, poultry, seafood, and soup dishes. Basil’s sweetness pairs perfectly with oregano and marjoram. 

Hippocrates considered basil to be a heart-healthy herb and also prescribed it for nausea and constipation.

Bay Leaf (thafni, δάφνη, pronounced THAHF-nee)

Whole dried leaves are used to flavor soups, stews, tomato sauces, meat, and seafood dishes. Once the dish is cooked, the whole leaves can be easily found, removed and discarded. This is one herb that adds flavor but cannot be eaten itself, as the leaf edges can be sharp and may cause internal injury. Never crumble a leaf before adding to a recipe unless you’re including it in a bouquet garni (tied in a cheesecloth bag).

Dill (anithos, άνηθος, pronounced AH-nee-thohs)

Greeks will only use fresh dill, as it looses most of its flavor when dried. This is the herb that gives the signature taste to tzatziki, magiritsa (Easter lamb soup), and a Greek omelet. Add dill during the last minutes of cooking to retain its essence. 

Medicinally, dill has been brewed in a tea to cure insomnia.

Parsley, flat-leaf (maïndanos, μαϊντανός, pronounced maheen-dah-NOHS)

Like dill, only fresh will do! This antioxidant-loaded herb is rich in vitamins A, B’s, C, and is widely used in soups, sauces, and cheese fillings. 

Ancient Greeks used parsley to aid digestion and to heal respiratory infections. Chewing on the leaves eliminates bad breath.

Sage (faskomilo, φασκόμηλο, pronounced fahs-KOH-mee-loh)

Both fresh and dried can be used. This strong, slightly bitter herb is mostly used to smoke meats and is added to wood-burning ovens when baking breads. 

For medicinal purposes, it’s brewed as a tea to detoxify and speed healing when under the weather with a cold or virus. Hippocrates knew of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties and prescribed it for a number of ailments, including lung disease.

Vanillin / Vanilia (powdered crystalline vanilla, βανίλια, pronounced vah-NEEL-yah)

This is the only vanilla used in Greek baking because it’s the most flavorful component of the vanilla bean. It’s white in color, looks a bit like confectioners’ sugar, and is made up of tiny crystal flakes. The flavor is super concentrated compared to vanilla extract, so you would use a very small amount—a pinch usually does the trick. It imparts a pure vanilla essence to recipes without the aftertaste of alcohol (from the extract), making it perfect for custards, cakes, cookies, and breads. It’s a bit pricey but remember that a little goes a very long way, and it will make your Greek desserts taste like heaven, just the way they should!

If you're in New York, these are the ultimate Greek foodie shops:
Sahadi’s, 187 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Titan Foods, 25-56 31st Street, Astoria, NY
Mediterranean Foods (2 locations in Astoria, NY): 22-78 35th Street | 30-12 34th Street
Titan Bakery, 15 West Jefryn Boulevard, Deer Park, NY

Not in New York? Here's where you can shop online for Greek spices and herbs if you can't find them in your area:
Sahadi's
Mediterranean Foods
Greek Internet Market 
GreekShops.com
Parthenon Foods

We hope you enjoyed our journey down the Greek spice, herb, and flavor aisles. Stay tuned for more segments on uniquely Greek ingredients!

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Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!

Kelly

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