Kukla’s Kouzina Flippin’ Greek!
Flippin’ Greek!, our cooking series on YouTube, is the next exciting chapter in our kouzina. It’s four episodes a week 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.
This week is packed with fun slider flips that will bring the whole family to the table. The link from each recipe to its YouTube episode will be active on the day of the week noted. Get your spatula and come cook with 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.
This week is packed with fun slider flips that will bring the whole family to the table. The link from each recipe to its YouTube episode will be active on the day of the week noted. Get your spatula and come cook with us!
Flippin’ Greek Slider Makeovers
We’ve taken four different sliders and turned them into mini biftekia by flavoring them Greek to spoil you forever. From the traditional lamb, to stuffed with Greek feta cheese, to vegetarian, to seafood, there’s one for every appetite! The recipes below partner with our YouTube episodes to show you how we do it in our kouzina. Join us!
KOUZINA TIP: Pita scraps can be lightly toasted and ground in a food processor to make breadcrumbs.
KOUZINA TIP: Pita scraps can be lightly toasted and ground in a food processor to make breadcrumbs.
BIFTEKIA SLIDERS – THE BASICS (episode 109)
If you’d like to reduce the calories and fat, use ground chicken or turkey instead of the meats listed. Don’t overhandle the meat as it could become tough.
PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME about 8 minutes (for unfilled)
MAKES 4 sliders
1/2 pound ground lamb (or equal amounts of lamb and beef, lamb and pork, or all three)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 small clove, minced)
In a bowl, stir together the meat and 1/4 cup olive oil until combined well and the oil is absorbed. Stir in the lemon juice until absorbed. Stir in the parsley, salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic just until combined. Shape into 4 oval patties, flattening slightly. Follow next recipe to fill.
To cook unfilled: In a skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add biftekia and cook until browned, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes per side, for medium. You can also make these on a grill!
If you’d like to reduce the calories and fat, use ground chicken or turkey instead of the meats listed. Don’t overhandle the meat as it could become tough.
PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOKING TIME about 8 minutes (for unfilled)
MAKES 4 sliders
1/2 pound ground lamb (or equal amounts of lamb and beef, lamb and pork, or all three)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 small clove, minced)
In a bowl, stir together the meat and 1/4 cup olive oil until combined well and the oil is absorbed. Stir in the lemon juice until absorbed. Stir in the parsley, salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic just until combined. Shape into 4 oval patties, flattening slightly. Follow next recipe to fill.
To cook unfilled: In a skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add biftekia and cook until browned, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes per side, for medium. You can also make these on a grill!
FILLED BIFTEKIA SLIDERS(episode 110)
We love to fill these sliders with our zesty feta dip, Tyrokafteri (from our Spreads & Dips cookbook), but you can also make them with plain feta.
PREP TIME 15 minutes (includes making Biftekia Sliders)
COOKING TIME about 6 minutes
MAKES 4 filled sliders
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 recipe Biftekia Sliders (above)
1/4 cup Tyrokafteri (from our Spreads & Dips cookbook) or 1/4 cup crumbled Greek feta
2 gyro pitas, warmed
Lettuce
Tomato slices
Tzatziki (yogurt sauce, from our Meze and Spreads & Dips cookbooks), for serving
Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish
1. In a cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Make a dent in the center of the biftekia and fill each with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of Tyrokafteri or feta. Shape meat around the filling to seal it in and flatten slightly. Cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. You can also make these on a grill!
2. Meanwhile, using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut the pitas into 8 mini rounds. Build each slider starting with a pita round for the base, then layer with lettuce, tomato, a filled bifteki, and a dollop of Tzatziki. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired. Top each with a pita round and serve hot.
We love to fill these sliders with our zesty feta dip, Tyrokafteri (from our Spreads & Dips cookbook), but you can also make them with plain feta.
PREP TIME 15 minutes (includes making Biftekia Sliders)
COOKING TIME about 6 minutes
MAKES 4 filled sliders
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 recipe Biftekia Sliders (above)
1/4 cup Tyrokafteri (from our Spreads & Dips cookbook) or 1/4 cup crumbled Greek feta
2 gyro pitas, warmed
Lettuce
Tomato slices
Tzatziki (yogurt sauce, from our Meze and Spreads & Dips cookbooks), for serving
Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish
1. In a cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Make a dent in the center of the biftekia and fill each with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of Tyrokafteri or feta. Shape meat around the filling to seal it in and flatten slightly. Cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. You can also make these on a grill!
2. Meanwhile, using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut the pitas into 8 mini rounds. Build each slider starting with a pita round for the base, then layer with lettuce, tomato, a filled bifteki, and a dollop of Tzatziki. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired. Top each with a pita round and serve hot.
VEGGIE BIFTEKIA SLIDERS(episode 111)
These delicious sliders are perfect for fasting Fridays, Lent, or anytime you want to take a break from meat. They take a little time to prepare but you can make these ahead and freeze them to enjoy anytime (double the recipe so you have plenty)!
GO VEGAN: To turn this recipe into a vegan version, omit the cheese and increase the rice to 1 cup (the cheese and rice bind the burgers together, so doubling the rice is needed to keep them from falling apart). Use vegetable broth to make the rice. Prepare as directed.
PREP TIME 40 minutes
COOKING TIME 25 minutes
MAKES 4 sliders
SLIDERS
4 ounces white mushrooms
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons diced onion
1 ounce cremini mushrooms, diced (2 mushrooms)
2 tablespoons finely diced red bell pepper
2 tablespoons finely diced zucchini
1/8 teaspoon allspice (mbahari)
1/4 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons grated carrots
1/2 cup cooked arborio rice (cook with chicken broth, do not add salt or butter)
1/4 cup shredded graviera cheese
1 medium egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh julienned basil
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Pinch freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
*
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 gyro pitas, warmed
Lettuce
4 cucumber slices (optional)
Hummus or Eggplant Dip (both from our Meze and Spreads & Dips cookbooks), for serving
Fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, for garnish
1. In food processor, pulse the white mushrooms until finely chopped. Set aside.
2. In large saucepot, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the white mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add the cremini mushrooms, bell pepper, zucchini, allspice, and cumin; cook 5 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add the carrots and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and cool to warm.
3. Meanwhile, in food processor, pulse the rice until finely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in the mushroom-vegetable mixture, cheese, egg, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined well.
4. Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Shape mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick oval patties. Coat patties with breadcrumbs. (Can be made ahead. Wrap each patty in plastic wrap, place in a resealable heavy-duty plastic bag, and freeze up to 3 months. Defrost in refrigerator before cooking.) In the same skillet, heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook patties until golden brown and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
5. Meanwhile, using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut the pitas into 8 mini rounds. Build each slider starting with a pita round for the base, then layer with lettuce, cucumber (if using), a veggie bifteki, and a dollop of hummus or eggplant dip. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired. Top each with a pita round and serve hot.
These delicious sliders are perfect for fasting Fridays, Lent, or anytime you want to take a break from meat. They take a little time to prepare but you can make these ahead and freeze them to enjoy anytime (double the recipe so you have plenty)!
GO VEGAN: To turn this recipe into a vegan version, omit the cheese and increase the rice to 1 cup (the cheese and rice bind the burgers together, so doubling the rice is needed to keep them from falling apart). Use vegetable broth to make the rice. Prepare as directed.
PREP TIME 40 minutes
COOKING TIME 25 minutes
MAKES 4 sliders
SLIDERS
4 ounces white mushrooms
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons diced onion
1 ounce cremini mushrooms, diced (2 mushrooms)
2 tablespoons finely diced red bell pepper
2 tablespoons finely diced zucchini
1/8 teaspoon allspice (mbahari)
1/4 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons grated carrots
1/2 cup cooked arborio rice (cook with chicken broth, do not add salt or butter)
1/4 cup shredded graviera cheese
1 medium egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh julienned basil
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Pinch freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
*
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 gyro pitas, warmed
Lettuce
4 cucumber slices (optional)
Hummus or Eggplant Dip (both from our Meze and Spreads & Dips cookbooks), for serving
Fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, for garnish
1. In food processor, pulse the white mushrooms until finely chopped. Set aside.
2. In large saucepot, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the white mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add the cremini mushrooms, bell pepper, zucchini, allspice, and cumin; cook 5 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add the carrots and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and cool to warm.
3. Meanwhile, in food processor, pulse the rice until finely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in the mushroom-vegetable mixture, cheese, egg, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined well.
4. Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Shape mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick oval patties. Coat patties with breadcrumbs. (Can be made ahead. Wrap each patty in plastic wrap, place in a resealable heavy-duty plastic bag, and freeze up to 3 months. Defrost in refrigerator before cooking.) In the same skillet, heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook patties until golden brown and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
5. Meanwhile, using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut the pitas into 8 mini rounds. Build each slider starting with a pita round for the base, then layer with lettuce, cucumber (if using), a veggie bifteki, and a dollop of hummus or eggplant dip. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired. Top each with a pita round and serve hot.
SALMON BIFTEKIA SLIDERS(episode 112)
Salmon is flavorful and makes a juicy slider. Other tasty seafood options are finely chopped shrimp or crab. You can turn leftover cooked seafood into a slider too—see the instruction following the directions for the ingredients you’ll need. Our lemon-olive oil aioli is the perfect topper!
PREP TIME 15 minutes
COOKING TIME 5 minutes
MAKES 4 sliders
LADOLEMONO AIOLI
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Pinch freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic or a pinch garlic powder
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
*
SLIDERS
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 pound salmon (or leftover cooked salmon), minced
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic or a pinch garlic powder
*
2 gyro pitas, warmed or lightly toasted
Lettuce
4 cucumber slices (optional)
*
Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish
1. Make Ladolemono Aioli: Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic until emulsified. Whisk in the mustard until combined and creamy.
2. Preheat grill (brush grates with oil) to high heat (or heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat).
3. Make sliders: In a bowl, combine the salmon, 2 tablespoons olive oil, the breadcrumbs, lemon juice, shallot, dill, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic*. Shape mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick oval patties. Cook 3 minutes, then turn and cook 2 minutes more for medium-well (3 minutes more for well doneness).
4. Meanwhile, using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut the pitas into 8 mini rounds. Build each slider starting with a pita round for the base, then layer with lettuce, cucumber (if using), a salmon bifteki, and a dollop of Ladolemono Aioli. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired. Top each with a pita round and serve hot.
*If using leftover cooked salmon or other seafood: In a bowl, combine 1/2 pound cooked minced salmon, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon chopped dill. Prepare pita rounds with lettuce and cucumber (if using); divide salmon among them, topping each with aioli, dill sprig, and another pita round.
Recipes copyright © Kukla's Kouzina
Salmon is flavorful and makes a juicy slider. Other tasty seafood options are finely chopped shrimp or crab. You can turn leftover cooked seafood into a slider too—see the instruction following the directions for the ingredients you’ll need. Our lemon-olive oil aioli is the perfect topper!
PREP TIME 15 minutes
COOKING TIME 5 minutes
MAKES 4 sliders
LADOLEMONO AIOLI
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Pinch freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic or a pinch garlic powder
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
*
SLIDERS
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 pound salmon (or leftover cooked salmon), minced
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic or a pinch garlic powder
*
2 gyro pitas, warmed or lightly toasted
Lettuce
4 cucumber slices (optional)
*
Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish
1. Make Ladolemono Aioli: Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic until emulsified. Whisk in the mustard until combined and creamy.
2. Preheat grill (brush grates with oil) to high heat (or heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat).
3. Make sliders: In a bowl, combine the salmon, 2 tablespoons olive oil, the breadcrumbs, lemon juice, shallot, dill, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic*. Shape mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick oval patties. Cook 3 minutes, then turn and cook 2 minutes more for medium-well (3 minutes more for well doneness).
4. Meanwhile, using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut the pitas into 8 mini rounds. Build each slider starting with a pita round for the base, then layer with lettuce, cucumber (if using), a salmon bifteki, and a dollop of Ladolemono Aioli. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired. Top each with a pita round and serve hot.
*If using leftover cooked salmon or other seafood: In a bowl, combine 1/2 pound cooked minced salmon, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon chopped dill. Prepare pita rounds with lettuce and cucumber (if using); divide salmon among them, topping each with aioli, dill sprig, and another pita round.
Recipes copyright © Kukla's Kouzina
Thanks to Kontos Foods for their fresh and delicious pita products!
I hope you enjoyed our week of slider makeovers. Join us next week for flipped Desserts with Yogurt.
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
I hope you enjoyed our week of slider makeovers. Join us next week for flipped Desserts with Yogurt.
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 © Kukla's Kouzina: A Gourmet Journey~Greek Island Style / Flippin’ Greek! / The Naked Truth About...Greek Cooking!
Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos
Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos
