The Apple & Potato Peeler That Saves Me Time in the Kitchen

If you cook with apples or potatoes, peeling and slicing can be slow. I recently got an apple and potato peeler/slicer, and it has quickly become one of my favorite kitchen tools.

With a simple hand crank, it peels, cores, and slices apples or potatoes in seconds, giving thin, even slices with minimal waste (check the video below). 

Which Greek Recipes Should You Try First from My Cookbook?

If you just got my Greek recipe cookbook (Vivian is Cooking GREEK), you might be wondering: “Where should I start?” Don’t worry! I’ve selected a few recipes that are easy, delicious, and will give you a true taste of Greek home cooking.

Greek-Style Apéro: Easy & Delicious Ideas to Share

Apéro time is all about simple food, sharing, and no stress. With just a few elements, you can create a balanced and inviting spread inspired by Greek cuisine.

14 Complete Greek Menus for Every Season

Looking for inspiration to turn the recipes from my Greek Cookbook into full meals? These 14 menus show you how to combine starters, mains, and desserts from my cookbook naturally and seasonally. Perfect for holidays, family lunches, or dinner parties!

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1. Christmas Dinner 🎄: Tyropitakia Kourou – Giouvetsi me Kritharaki – Melomakarona & Kourambiedes
2. New Year’s Eve ✨: Tzatziki & Kolokythokeftedes – Mosxari me Melitzanes – Vivian’s Pudding
3. Easter Sunday 🐣: Kokkina Avga – Souvlakia – Spanakotyropita – Ravani
4. Family Lunch 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦: Rolo Kima or Arakas me Anitho or Gemista – Galatopita 
5. Winter Comfort ❄️: Kotosoupa or Fakes Soupa or Youvarlakia Avgolemono – Halvas
6. Village Winter Table 🏡: Fasolada or Spetzofai – Portokalopita
7. Friends Dinner 🍷: Kolokythokeftedes – Soutzoukakia – Ekmek Kadaifi
8. Dinner Party 🥂: Dolmadakia – Moussaka – Galatopita
9. Pasta Night 🍝: Horiatiki – Pastitsio – Ravani
10. Fisherman’s Menu 🌊: Skordalia – Bakaliaros Skordalia – Pites tis Satziis
11. Summer Seaside Dinner ☀️: Horiatiki – Psari Plaki – Mosaic Dessert / Kormos
12. Island Pasta Night 🏖️: Tzatziki – Garidomakaronada – Portokalopita
13. Cozy Autumn Dinner 🍁: Keftedakia – Kotopoulo Kokkinisto – Halvas
14. Home Dinner 🏠:  Hirino Prasoselino or Kotopoulo Me Bamies – Mosaic Dessert / Kormos
15. Seafood Feast 🐙: Htapo̱di me Kofto Makaronaki – Skordalia – Pites tis Satziis
16. Casual Dinner 🍔: Biftekia – Fasolakia or Spanakoryzo – Galatopita
17. Summer Vegetarian ☀️: Briam – Spanakoryzo – Portokalopita

Vivian Is Cooking GREEK – Available Worldwide

My cookbook is now available in English and French, in 3 formats: Kindle, Paperback, and beautiful Hardcover and can be ordered worldwide.

If you buy my book, leaving a review in Amazon would mean the world to me!

🇬🇧 English

• Amazon France: English edition
• Amazon.com: English edition

🇫🇷 Français

• Amazon France: Français edition
• Amazon.com: Français edition

Available everywhere on Amazon — just search “Vivian Is Cooking GREEK” in your local store!

Air Fryer Chocolate Lava Cakes

🌟 Difficulty	⏱️ Time	🍽️ Serves	🔪 Skill level
★★ Easy	15 min	4	Beginner

Few desserts are as irresistible as a warm chocolate lava cake. These air fryer lava cakes are quick, rich, and perfectly gooey inside, with a melting chocolate center that feels like a restaurant treat — ready in minutes at home. No air fryer? Bake at 200°C (fan oven) for 9–10 minutes in small ramekins instead.

“This delicious Air Fryer Chocolate Lava Cake will also be featured in my new baking book, coming soon — I can’t wait to share all my favorite recipes with you!”

Made It Again Today: My Favorite Pear & Almond Tart

Today I made my husband’s favorite dessert again – the classic French tart with almond cream, tarte aux poires et frangipane. I didn’t have enough pears, so I added some apples, and it turned out beautifully!

The combination of soft pears and slightly tart apples worked surprisingly well with the rich frangipane. The buttery pâte sablée holds the almond cream perfectly, and a light glaze of honey made the fruit shine.

Even with a little improvisation, this tart brought the same joy and excitement to the table. A sweet reminder that sometimes the best desserts are the ones you adapt on the spot!

Note to self: definitely make this again soon – with more pears next time! ❤️

Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Vegetables (Healthy & Easy 20-Minute Meal)

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12–15 minutes
Total time: 22–25 minutes
Servings: 2-3
Method: Air fryer (or oven/pan alternative)
Difficulty: Easy

Air fryer salmon is one of the easiest and healthiest dinners you can make at home. These honey mustard salmon bites with garlic and paprika cook quickly in the air fryer and develop a delicious caramelized flavor. For this recipe, I used salmon loin (baron de saumon), a thick and tender cut that works beautifully in the air fryer and stays especially juicy. Paired with crispy air-fried vegetables, this meal is simple, nutritious, and perfect for busy weeknights.

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily make this recipe in the oven or in a pan (read instructions at the end of the post).

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear how it turned out.

My Lahanodolmades Recipe Just Got Even Better!

I’m excited to share a small but game-changing update to my lahanodolmades recipe!

Instead of boiling the cabbage to soften it, I tried freezing the raw leaves first - and it worked perfectly. This skips a tedious step and makes preparing stuffed cabbage rolls much faster, without sacrificing flavor.

One more tip: stick to the classic light green cabbage. I tried darker, curly frisée-type leaves, and the taste wasn’t as good.

If you haven’t tried my recipe yet, check it out here and see the updated tips at the end. Your meal prep will thank you!

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12–15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3–4
Method: Air fryer
Difficulty: Easy

These crispy chicken bites are quick, juicy, and full of flavor. Chicken breast pieces are seasoned with olive oil, paprika, and Parmesan, then coated with breadcrumbs for a delicious crispy crust. Cooked in the air fryer, they become golden on the outside while staying tender inside. Perfect for a quick dinner and delicious served with roasted vegetables.

👉 Find more air fryer recipes! Type “air fryer” in the search bar.

15 Ninja Crispi Hacks for Crispy, Delicious Meals

After two months of using my Ninja Crispi with the pyrex-style fush pan and top pod, I’ve discovered tips that make every meal crispy, golden, and full of flavor. Here’s the ultimate cheat sheet:

1. Preheat the Top Pod – 3–5 min ensures even crisping.
2. Use the Fush Pan – Perfect for juicy meats or saucy dishes.
3. Avoid Overcrowding – Single-layer cooking = even results.
4. Try the Pod Rack – Circulates air under fries, nuggets, veggies.
5. Flip or Rotate Foods – Prevents soggy bottoms.
6. Light Oil Spritz – Just a little for extra golden crunch.
7. Lower Temp for Frozen Foods – Avoid over-browning outside.
8. Clean the Fush Pan – Keeps airflow and prevents smoke.
9. Don’t Lift the Lid Too Often – Retains heat and crispiness.
10. Reheat Without Sogginess – Pizza, fries, pastries stay perfect.
11. Layer Smartly – Thick foods below, small ones on the rack.
12. Watch Cooking Times – Top heat cooks fast; check early.
13. Dry Ingredients – Less moisture = crispier finish.
14. Season Before & After – Boosts flavor and presentation.
15. Get Creative – Roast, bake, broil—even try mini casseroles.

💡 Pro Tip: Small tweaks—like flipping, using the rack, and adjusting temps—make the biggest difference. The Ninja Crispi isn’t just an air fryer; it’s a kitchen game-changer.

👉 Find air fryer recipes! Type “air fryer” in the search bar.

Halvas Farsalon (Greek Caramel Cornstarch Halva)

Halvas Farsalon is a traditional sweet from Farsala, a small town in the Thessaly region of Central Greece, famous throughout the country for this distinctive caramel halva. It is often sold at local panigyria (village festivals), displayed in large trays and cut into generous pieces.

Naturally dairy-free when made with oil, it is also a beloved dessert during nistia (Greek fasting periods), which makes it both simple and meaningful. For me, this recipe is personal — Farsala is my mother’s birthplace, and this halva carries the taste of family roots and local tradition. Made with cornstarch (νισεστές) instead of semolina (see Greek Semolina Pudding -Halvas), it has a glossy, slightly elastic texture and a thin caramelized crust.

French Lemon Meringue Tart (Tarte au Citron Meringuée)

🌟 Difficulty	⏱️ Time	🍽️ Serves	🔪 Skill level
★★ Intermediate	1 hr 30 min + chilling	8	Intermediate

I tested this tart/pie over the weekend, and it is officially my favorite version so far.

The crust is buttery and crisp thanks to the extra egg yolks, the lemon filling is silky and perfectly tangy without being too sharp, and the classic French meringue adds just the right softness to balance everything.

Elegant, fresh, and absolutely worth repeating.

Serves: 8 Prep time: 30 minutes Chill time: 1 hour Bake time: 30–35 minutes Level: Intermediate Category: Dessert