Here is today’s Greek recipe. Spinach with Rice (Spanakorizo) Ingredients: 2 lbs. spinach 1 cup chopped onions ½ cup olive oil 1-1/2 cups short grain rice 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon dill 3 cups water salt and pepper Directions: Wash spinach. Remove stems, drain leaves well and tear into pieces. (If I use baby spinach I don’t bother to try and remove stems, just use as is) In a deep pan gently fry onion in oil until soft. Stir in rice and cook 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (except spinach). Bring to a boil and then add spinach. Stir well, cover and cook gently for 15 minutes. (I always check to make sure rice is done – sometimes it takes a little longer to get done.) Remove from heat, leave tightly covered and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Hope you enjoy it! Georgia Keilman http://HellenicGenealogyGeek.com A resource for Greek family genealogy research.

Greek Culture - here’s another Greek recipe favorite. Galatobouriko (Custard Pastry) Ingredients: 1 lb. filo pastry sheets 10 eggs 1 cup sugar 2 quarts milk ¾ cup farina Directions: Scald milk, remove from stove to cool. Separate eggs and beat ten egg yolks with only five egg whites. When eggs are fluffy and light, add sugar and beat until creamy. Stir in farina, slowly spoon in milk into mixture beating constantly. Cook mixture over low heat until slightly thickened, remove from heat and allow to cool. Grease 10 x 15 inch baking pan with melted butter and place eight pastry sheets, which are individually brushed with butter, in bottom of pan. Pour slightly cooled mixture over pastry sheets and cover with eight more buttered pastry sheets. Fold in pastry edges to retain mixture and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Syrup Ingredients 3 cups sugar 2 cups water 1 teaspoon vanilla Prepare syrup while ...

Celebrate our Greek heritage --- Today’s Greek recipe is for Chicken Pilaf. This definitely brings back memories from my childhood. I still love it today, served with a little Greek yogurt or sour cream on the side. Chicken Pilaf Ingredients: 2-1/2 to 3 lb. chicken, cut into pieces 3 Tablespoons butter 1 cup Uncle Ben’s rice 1-1/2 cup chopped onion 2 cups tomato juice Garlic salt to taste Pepper to taste Cinnamon to taste 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 2 cups boiling water Directions: Season pieces of chicken, with garlic salt, pepper to taste. Then dust lightly with cinnamon. Brown chicken in butter, in heavy saucepan. Add onions and braise until onions are golden brown. Add lemon juice, tomato juice and water, which has been brought to a boil. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes, until chicken is half done. Add rice (uncooked), and cover and continue cooking until tender, about 45 minutes. Serves 4. Enjoy! Georgia Keilman http://Hell...

My family loves this recipe and wants me to make it on all the holidays - great appetizer. Feta Cheese Spread Ingredients: 3 cloves of garlic (chopped) 3 green onions (chopped) 8 oz. Feta cheese 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 tablespoon oregano 1 teaspoon dill Directions: Mix garlic and onions in food processor. Add Feta cheese and cream cheese. Process until well mixed. Add in the sour cream, oregano and dill until smooth to spread. Serve with chunks of bread and enjoy! Georgia Keilman http://HellenicGenealogyGeek.com A resource for Greek family genealogy research

Today’s Greek recipe is for Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) made with butter and feta cheese. I know there are other recipes that are made with olive oil or with cottage cheese, but this is the one that I have always made and like. Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) Ingredients: 2 lbs. frozen chopped spinach 1 bunch green onions (chopped) 1 lb Greek feta cheese (crumbled) 1 lb. butter, melted 1 lb. pastry sheets (filo) Salt and white pepper Directions: Defrost and drain spinach – make sure that it is really dry – I usually squeeze with my hands or use a big spoon and press against a strainer. Add together spinach, chopped green onions, crumbled cheese, eggs, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss lightly to combine all ingredients. Grease 9 x 13” pan and place six pastry sheets into pan, brushing each with melted butter. Spread spinach mixture evenly and cover with six more individually buttered pastry sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately one hour or...

We all know that food is an important part of our culture. In acknowledgement, I will be posting some Greek recipes every once in awhile. Hope you all will enjoy. Saganaki (Flaming Cheese) Ingredients 1 egg 1/3 cup milk 4 ounces Kasseri cheese cut in 1/2-inch thick squares Flour Vegetable oil Directions Beat egg until slightly foaming and light yellow. Add milk, and continue beating. Dip cheese in egg mixture, then in flour (both sides), pressing the cheese so that the flour will stick to the cheese. In a frying pan, heat oil until hot. (When you place cheese in pan you will see it sizzle.) Fry cheese on both sides until golden brown. You can squeeze on a little fresh lemon, or if you want do it up big, like in the restaurants. Splash on a few drops of brandy and light it with a match. Watch your hair, clothes, and ceiling - I am too much of a chicken and just squeeze on the fresh lemon. Good luck with your Greek cooking! Georgia Keilman http://HellenicGenealogyGeek.com A re...