Spanakotyropitakia Kourou (Cheese & Spinach Mini Pies)

These kourou-style spanakotyropitakia are soft, buttery little pies filled with spinach, feta, (fresh) onions, and dill. The tender kourou dough makes them rich and delicate — perfect for snacks, appetizers, or a light lunch.

My Author Copy Has Arrived!

Yesterday was a very special day — I finally received my author proof copy of my Amazon book, and I’m beyond excited! Holding it in my hands feels surreal after all the work, testing, and love poured into it.

A huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to the very first readers who already bought it. Your support truly means the world to me and gives this project its real purpose.

I can’t wait to share more, cook more, and keep this journey going with you. 💛
More soon…

Greek Kadaifi (Traditional Syrup Dessert)

Kadaifi is a classic Greek syrup dessert made with shredded phyllo, a fragrant nut filling, and warm citrus syrup. Crispy outside, juicy inside, and delicately spiced, it’s a timeless sweet that pairs beautifully with coffee.

(If you want an easier version, check my old recipe Kadaif, oriental pastry)

How to Freeze Potatoes: A Quick Guide

Freezing potatoes is a great way to save time and reduce waste—but you need to do it the right way to keep them tasty and usable. Here’s how to freeze Potatoes in 4 Easy Steps: 

Exciting News: My Greek Cooking Book is Out + New Printable Recipes & Art Prints on Etsy!

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news — my Greek cooking book has officially been released on Amazon! 📖✨

If you love the idea of holding a beautiful printed cookbook in your hands, the paperback edition is now available on Amazon. For those who prefer a digital version, my eBook is available on Etsy and Gumroad, ready to download and use on any device.

But that’s not all! My Etsy shop keeps growing, now offering:

• Printable recipe cards and bundles — recreate your favorite Greek dishes at home, one recipe at a time

• Art prints inspired by cooking and Mediterranean ingredients — you can print them at home, or for even higher quality, at a professional print shop and decorate your kychen or table.

Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or a romantic evening, these digital products are designed to make your experience fun, beautiful, and authentic.

I’d love your support! If you enjoy my book, recipes, or art prints, feel free to:

• Share the news with your network

• Buy my products to try at home or gift to someone special

• Leave a review if you feel inspired — it means a lot and helps others discover the joy of Greek cooking

And a little secret… I’m already working on my next book: Vivian is Cooking Baking Stunning Cakes! 🎂✨ I can’t wait to share it with you and add even more sweet inspiration to your kitchen.

Thank you for being part of this journey — from blog, to Etsy, to Amazon! It’s all about bringing the taste, beauty, and joy of Greek cuisine into your home.

Kali orexi! (Bon appétit!)
— Vivian (Paraskevi)

Easy Kourou Tyropitakia (Feta Balls) in the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer

These kourou tyropitakia are one of the easiest Greek cheese snacks to make. Prepared as small feta balls, they are soft and fluffy inside, lightly crisp outside, and perfect for the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer.

No fyllo, no rolling — just mix, shape, and air fry.

👉Check also this variation using an Air fryer:

• Greek Tyropitakia with Fyllo in the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer

Greek Tyropitakia with Fyllo in the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer

Tyropitakia with Fyllo are a classic Greek cheese meze, and they adapt beautifully to the air fryer. Shaping them as small rectangles instead of triangles allows you to fit more pieces at once — even in a compact air fryer like the Ninja Crispi.

Using one sheet of fyllo per roll keeps them light, crisp, and perfectly suited to air frying.

👉Check also this variation using an Air fryer:

• Easy Kourou Tyropitakia (Feta Balls) in the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer

My Etsy Shop is Live! 🎉

I’m excited to announce my first My Etsy Shop! 

✨ Vivian is Cooking GREEK – my ebook with 44 authentic Greek recipes you can try at home, from starters to desserts. Get it here →

🍰 Kid-Friendly Italian Tiramisu – a coffee- & alcohol-free printable recipe card, perfect for family fun in the kitchen. Grab it here →

❤️ Heart-Shaped Pavlova (Valentine’s Special) – a romantic, light, and elegant dessert topped with cream and red fruits. A printable recipe card perfect for Valentine’s Day.
👉 Get it here →

All recipes are tested, easy to follow, and ready to download. Bring a taste of Greece (and Italy!) to your home today!

👉[Visit My Etsy Shop]

My First eBook Is Here 🎉

After years of sharing recipes on this blog, I’m excited to introduce my first eBook:

Vivian Is Cooking GREEK – 44 Authentic Recipes to Try at Home

📘 Digital PDF – instant download ✨ Special offer for early buyers!

👉 Discover the eBook here 

From starters and meze to classic mains and desserts like moussaka, spanakotyropita, and portokalopita — all recipes are simple, flavorful, and easy to follow.
Includes a Greek pantry essentials list.

Thank you for supporting my cooking journey.

Kali orexi!
— Vivian

Growing Your Own Herbs All Year Round: Indoor & Outdoor Herb Gardens

Growing herbs all year round is easy and well suited to urban living. Windowsills, balconies, and rooftops — like those used by many restaurants — offer ideal conditions when herbs are grown in pots with good light and drainage.

Hardy herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, bay leaf, and chives can stay outdoors year-round, while tender herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, and dill prefer bright indoor spots in winter. Mixing both ensures a steady supply in every season.

Herbs are also highly decorative. Indoors, group basil, parsley, and chives in matching pots on a kitchen windowsill or on a tray. Outdoors, combine rosemary, thyme, and oregano in long planters for a Mediterranean look, or pair mint and chives in separate pots to control growth while adding freshness to balconies and terraces. On rooftops, use heavier containers and mix bay leaf, sage, and rosemary for structure and fragrance.

Practical Tips

• Use pots with good drainage and light soil

• Place herbs in bright natural light

• Water moderately, avoiding excess moisture

• Protect outdoor pots from frost and wind

• Harvest regularly to encourage growth

Cooking in Winter: Seasonal Vegetables & Cozy Dishes

Winter is the heart of the season (at least in central Europe where I live 😉), and it’s the perfect time to focus on nourishing, comforting meals using fresh seasonal produce. In France, winter vegetables are abundant, flavorful, and full of nutrients — ideal for warming soups, stews, roasts, and cozy home cooking.

Dolmadakia me Kima (Stuffed Vine Leaves with Meat)

Dolmadakia me kima are a classic Greek comfort dish: tender vine leaves filled with meat, rice, and fresh herbs, gently cooked until soft and fragrant. I usually prepare them with a veal & pork mince and cook them in a pressure cooker, which makes the process easy and very reliable — but other options work just as well.

👉 For the meatless version, see my dolmadakia without kima 

Greek Stuffed Vine Leaves (Dolmadakia)

recipe on the blog. The rolling technique is exactly the same (check photos there).

Baking Flours & Doughs Explained

✨ A simple reference to help you choose the right flour and dough every time.

Understanding flour types and classic doughs helps you bake better cakes, breads, tarts, and pastries with confidence. This concise guide explains the most common flours, their characteristics and uses, followed by a clear overview of essential French and Greek doughs and pastry bases.