Friday, January 30, 2026

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)

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

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)

Monday, January 26, 2026

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

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:

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

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]

Monday, January 19, 2026

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

Saturday, January 17, 2026

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

Friday, January 16, 2026

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.

Thursday, January 15, 2026

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).

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

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.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Healthy & Eco-Friendly 2026: A More Conscious Kitchen

As we step into 2026, my wish for you is health, calm, and balance — starting with your kitchen.
Home cooking is more than preparing food: it helps you eat well, reduce stress, and care for both yourself and the planet. Cooking mindfully is a simple way to combine health, eco-responsibility, and everyday well-being.

Simple habits for health and eco-friendly living

  • Freeze bread in slices 
    Use only what you need and reduce food waste.

  • Use fresh herbs wisely 
    Freeze chopped herbs with a little olive oil, or use stems in soups and sauces.

  • Freeze leftovers in small portions 
    Soups, grains, or sauces become easy, healthy meals and prevent waste.

  • Plan gently to reduce stress 
    Repeat simple recipes, cook extra when possible, and lower daily mental load.

  • Keep meals simple and nourishing 
    Soup and bread, eggs with vegetables, yogurt with fruit — small, mindful meals that support both health and sustainability.

  • Compost food scraps 
    Vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and other compostable waste can be returned to the soil, closing the loop and reducing your environmental footprint.

My 2026 wish for you ✨

A kitchen that nourishes your body, mind, and the planet.
Meals that support health, reduce stress, minimize waste, and give back to the Earth.
Home cooking is one of the best ways to care for yourself, your loved ones, and the environment.

Happy New Year 2026! 
I’d love to know: what habits help you eat healthier, waste less, and cook with less stress? Share your tips in the comments!

Monday, December 29, 2025

Mascarpone–Nutella Christmas Log (Bûche de Noël)


This Christmas, I decided to combine two of my older favorite recipes Xmas Swiss roll (buche de Noel) with mascarpone, and Chocolate cake with mascarpone & nutella filling

into one festive dessert: a soft chocolate sponge cake and a creamy mascarpone–Nutella frosting. The result is a rich but light Christmas log, rolled and shaped like a real branch, perfect for holiday tables and family gatherings.

This recipe is easier than it looks and can be prepared in advance, making it ideal for stress-free entertaining.

Monday, December 15, 2025

Christmas 2025 sweet wishes

Christmas is a time for sweetness — not only on the table, but in the little moments we share. This year, I’m celebrating with desserts that feel most like Christmas: simple, nostalgic, and full of warmth.

From Greek classics to a few European favorites, these sweet wishes are meant to be shared, enjoyed slowly, and remembered. 

Wishing you a Christmas full of warmth, sweetness, and simple joys.

Greek or oriental Classics

European Favorites

Festive Treats & Extras


Roasted Chestnuts in the Ninja Crispi (Easy & Foolproof)

For this Ninja Crispi recipe, I went for a seasonal classic: roasted chestnuts. I usually enjoy them during Christmas vacations, bought hot from open markets, their warm paper cones and that unmistakable winter smell in the air. I don’t normally make chestnuts at home, but I was curious to try them in the Ninja Crispi.


And it felt a little magical. The chestnuts come out tender and perfectly roasted — no ashes, no smoke, just clean, comforting warmth. A small winter pleasure you can now enjoy anytime, not only during the holidays.

If you try this recipe, let me know how it turned out for you! (click on Read more for the details)

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Air Fryer Greek Fries (Patates Tiganites)

For my very first air fryer fries using the Ninja Crispi, I went straight for the Greek classic: patates tiganites. I wanted to see if it could reproduce that perfect balance - crispy outside, soft and warm inside -with only a small amount of oil. And honestly? They came out really good, so I continued with the Greek meatballs (keftedakia).

Ingredients:

  • 3–4 potatoes
  • 1–2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt
  • Oregano
  • (Optional) Paprika or garlic powder

Instructions:

  1. Peel and cut the potatoes into sticks.
  2. Rinse them quickly and pat them very dry with a towel.
  3. Toss with olive oil, salt, and oregano.
  4. Preheat the Ninja Crispi on Air Fry at 200°C (390°F).
  5. Cook for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway.

Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and full of Greek flavor but without deep frying.



Greek Meatballs (Keftedakia) in the Air Fryer

After testing the homemade fries, I couldn’t resist trying keftedakia in the Ninja Crispi  so that I can have a complete menu. Meatballs are a great test because they can easily dry out in an oven—but the air fryer kept them juicy while giving a nice light crust outside.

Ingredients:

  • 500 g ground veal (or veal + pork mix)
  • 1 small onion, grated
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 egg
  • 2–3 tbsp breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • A little mint (fresh or dried)
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl (don’t overmix).
  2. Shape into small meatballs.
  3. Lightly brush or spray with olive oil.
  4. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  5. Cook on Air Fry at 180°C (360°F) for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway.

Juicy, aromatic, and super easy.