Kali sarakosti to all my Greek family and friends

Today it's kathari deftera ( Καθαρή Δεφτερα) which is the start of the lent for Easter

Greek Orthodox all over the world celebrates this day with lots of food drink and dancing. 

This day will set out the lent which will start from tomorrow Tuesday right up to Easter with eating food that is not from a blooded animal such as all meat,fish, butter or eggs. Mainly eat grains fruit and vegetables. Oil is aloud until a week before then this will also be stopped and so confections can be made then holy communion on Easter Saturday and then the big feast on Easter Sunday!  

Shrimp Sakanaki in Dijon Mustard and lemon juice

 

 Ingredients 

12 whole peeled prawns

salt and pepper

olive oil

1 juice of I lemon

2 tsp of Dijon mustard 

100 grams of Kefaloturi cheese slice

1 tsp of dried Oregano 

 

In a frypan add oil to heat Add the whole shrimp and cook until change colour 

Remove them from the pan and place on a plate. 

In the same pan, pour a little more olive oil

 Add the mustard and stir, add salt, pepper lemon juice and the oregano 

Wait a until it reaches to a boil and add the prawns.  Stir until the sauce thickens and prawns are well submerged in sauce turn off the heat.

Cut Kefaloturi in to small chunks and slightly fry or bake in a pan with some olive oil until it's golden on both sides. 

To serve

Take 2 fried cheese peaces and put in the bottom of a plate add about 5-6 shrimp 

and cover with the sauce. Enjoy!

Shrimp Saganaki in Tomato sauce

 

 Ingredients 

12 whole peeled prawns

salt and pepper

olive oil

1 bowl of fresh grated tomato

2  Teaspoons of tomato paste

100 grams of Kefaloturi cheese slice

1 teaspoon  of dried Oregano 

 

In a frypan add oil to heat Add the whole shrimp and cook until change colour 

Remove them from the pan and place on a plate. 

In the same pan, pour a little more olive oil

 Add the fresh tomatoes, stir, add salt, pepper and the oregano 

Wait a until it reaches to a boil and add the tomato paste. Stir until the sauce thickens and and prawns turn off the heat.

Cut Kefaloturi in to small chunks and slightly fry or bake in a pan with some olive oil until it's golden on both sides. 

To serve

Take 2 fried cheese peaces and put in the bottom of a plate add about 5-6 shrimp 

and cover with the sauce. Enjoy!

Greek split Peas

Ingredients 

500g of yellow split pease

1 onion chopped 

Olive oil

Oregano

Juice of one lemon

Method

1) Rinse the beans 2-3 times. Put it in a saucepan with plenty of water (to cover equally). You have to be very careful when boiling, because it foams and swells a lot. 

2)  Skim the top and add the oil, salt and onions.

3) Cook over low heat for 1-1 / 12 hours until it thickens 

4) With the use of a blender stick  or food processor we blend until it becomes like cream. 

5)  Serve with oil, lemon and chopped onion and oregano or Thrbi ior thyme. 

Handy tips to save fresh herbs

Instructions

 1 bunch fresh Parsley 

 1 fresh bunch of Dill

 1 fresh bunch of Corrienda 

8 plastic clip freezer bags

Wash herbs very well under running water.Dry well with a papper towel and chop finely. 

Fill each bag with each herb and squeeze so all the air can escape and clip tightly. 

With a permanent marker write what herb it is and date. 

Herb butter

Ingredients

• 1 cup loosely packed fresh herbs, such as 
• parsley, oregano, thyme, or marjoram, finely chopped 
• 1large clove of garlic
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 
• 1 tsp of garlic salt

Method

1. Combine herbs and butter in the bowl of a food processor. 
   Pulse until ingredients are combined. Wrap in cling wrap to make a long roll and place in the freezer. To use just cut into round knobs and serve in your favoureret dish. 

Spanish spiced baked potatoes

Ingredients 

500g of roastin potatoes

1 pkt of Burrito salsa

1 pkt  of Burrito spices

1/2 olive oil

Salt and pepper 

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Clean and wash potatoes and cut them in quarters. Rub the potatoes with the Burrito spices salt and pepper. Mix in the pkt of burrito salsa and drizzle the olive oil mix well and place them in a baking tray. Cover the tray with Ail foil and cook in a preheated oven for 11/2 hours then uncover and cook fora further 15min or until potatoes are golden brown. Enjoy