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! ❤️
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.
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!
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.
💡 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.
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.
Available everywhere on Amazon — just search “Vivian Is Cooking GREEK” in your local store!
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
When you’re ill, your body needs hydration, warmth, and simple nourishment — not heavy meals. Keep food gentle, easy to digest, and comforting.
To all my friends whose children — or they themselves (or even worse, both!) — are ill right now.
You can choose the format you love most — from a practical kitchen copy to a beautiful hardcover to offer or a digital version for cooking anywhere.
My Etsy shop is also growing, with more digital products inspired by my recipes and Mediterranean cooking:
These are designed to make cooking simple, beautiful, and authentic, whether for everyday meals or special occasions.
If you’d like to support my work, you can share the news, try a recipe, or leave a review on Amazon or Etsy — it truly helps!
And a little preview… I’m already working on my next book:
“Vivian is Cooking Baking Stunning Cakes!” 🎂
Thank you for being part of this journey — from blog to Etsy to Amazon.
Kali orexi!
Vivian (Paraskevi)
Quick essentials for a safe kitchen:
Cookware: Stainless steel, cast iron, glass, ceramic
Utensils: Wood, bamboo, stainless steel, food-grade silicone
Storage: Glass, stainless steel, silicone bags
To make it easy and practical, I designed the Healthy Kitchen Essentials Printable Poster. This A4 guide has clear checklists for cookware, utensils, and storage, plus tips on when to replace worn items. Print it, frame it, and enjoy a safer, more organized kitchen every day!
Cook safe. Cook simple. Cook happy!
💡 Want more tips like this? Check my Tips page of the blog — small ideas that make everyday cooking easier and faster.
Note: Softening the cabbage leaves is the trickiest and longest part of this recipe. Freezing the whole cabbage could be an easy alternative, if you try it, let me know in the comments how it worked! More tips at the end.
✅ Freezing works perfectly! I tried freezing the prepared lahano before cooking, and it came out just as delicious. A convenient tip for meal prep!
Love this recipe? Get a printable version in my Etsy shop, explore other Greek recipes, or enjoy the full recipe book on Amazon (Kindle, paperback, or hardcover)!