Greek food and Rhode Island have had a rocky history in that other than the annual Greek festivals and fantastic home cooking from the Greek communty, the state is almost devoid of excellent Greek food. That is, until Kleos showed up on the scene. The owners of Kleos also own Rosalina, which has its own... Continue Reading →
An Open Letter to “The Simple Greek” Restaurant – East Providence, RI: “Please be better…”
I love Greek food. I have history with Greek food as well as personal experience making it from scratch. My wife is Greek. My son is half Greek. Greek food is close to home and a point of pride for my family. It truly is simple food, but that recognition in the name of the restaurant... Continue Reading →
Egyptian Macarona Bechamel or Greek Pastitsio Recipe
Real, authentic Italian lasagna is made with a creamy bechamel sauce as is the Italian dish called "Pasticcio" (which translates to "mess" apparently!). The delicious red-sauce version of lasagna we have in America is great, but it's not the same as what the rest of the world usually eats. Italy, however, isn't the only place... Continue Reading →
Greek Style Crispy Roasted Chicken Recipe
I wish I could take credit for this recipe, but it really belongs to my mother-in-law. I only learned it after she passed it down to my wife who then made me some of the best roasted chicken I've ever had. The recipe is so absurdly simple that I practically smacked myself in the forehead... Continue Reading →
Cranston Greek Festival at the Church of the Annunciation – Cranston, RI
The Cranston Greek festival holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my own childhood. I grew up in a church that held its own Egyptian festivals in Rhode Island where I used to volunteer and help out over the weekend. My favorite job to try and wrangle was cutting the gyro... Continue Reading →
Easy Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe
Gyro meat is one of the greatest culinary inventions and no matter how you pronounce, "Gyro" (Yee-ro, Jai-ro, Gee-ro), we're all pretty much just saying the word, "Delicious." While the real deal traditional stuff comprised of actual cuts of spiced meat rotating on a vertical rotisserie spit is awesome, it's the over-processed Greek-American stuff that I'm talking about.... Continue Reading →
Stuffed Grape Leaves with Meat and Rice Recipe
No big holiday gathering or pot luck dinner with my family is complete without delicious grape leaves. These amazing little packages of green leaves, beef, and rice take a while to make, but disappear like a flash of lightning in a room full of hungry guests with only a few streaks of cucumber yogurt sauce... Continue Reading →