13 Years of Cooking, Sharing, and Creating

Today, April 8, marks 13 years since I started this blog - 13 years of recipes, tips, experiments, and sometimes quite unique culinary adventures! From simple weekday meals to festive Greek and international classics, this space has grown into a treasure trove of ideas for anyone who loves cooking (312 posts, majority recipes).

Over the years, these recipes have been tested, improved, and cooked again and again, so you can trust they truly work in a real home kitchen.

Thanks to the blog, this year I published my first cookbook Vivian is Cooking GREEK, available in two languages and several formats, making it easy for readers everywhere to cook Greek favorites at home.

Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to give you a sneak peek of my next book, focused on baking staples:

• Cover reveal: [see photo]
• Around 48 classic and essential recipes, from cakes and cookies to pastries every home baker should know.

If you’ve enjoyed my recipes and tips over the years, I’d love to hear from you in the comments - and your support for my books means the world to me!

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to many more years of sharing food, stories, and flavors!

With love,
Vivian

Two Greek Recipes You Won’t Find in My Cookbook… Yet

When I created my Greek recipe book "Vivian is Cooking GREEK", I focused on recipes I had already made and tested for years. Later, I realized two important classics were missing: Lahanodolmades and Kadaifi.

Both are now available here on the blog:

🥬 Lahanodolmades – tender cabbage rolls filled with a flavorful mixture. 

🍯 Kadaifi – the classic crispy, nutty, syrup-soaked dessert. 

I also offer printable versions of these recipes in my Etsy shop for those who want them separately, and they will be included in a future update of my cookbook.

Explore the recipes, try them at home, and enjoy a taste of traditional Greek cuisine!

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!

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.

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

My Greek Cookbook — English, French, new Formats & Shop Updates!

I’m excited to share that my Greek cooking book is now available on Amazon in English and in French, in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions! 📖✨

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:

• Printable Greek recipe cards and bundles
• Digital recipe downloads
• Cooking-inspired Mediterranean art prints

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)

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]

Menu #5 (Greek again :)

 Menu of 12/02/2025 (Click to find all my Menu ideas so far. )

A Taste of Greece: Healthy and comforting

Here’s another Greek-inspired menu featuring Keftedakia (Greek meatballs) as the starter and Fakes Soupa (lentil soup) as the main course:

🥗 The Starter: Keftedakia (Greek Meatballs)

Flavorful meatballs made with ground beef, onions, garlic and herbs. Serve with a side of tzatziki sauce and pita bread.

🥘 The Main Dish: Fakes Soupa (Greek Lentil Soup)

A hearty, comforting soup made with lentils, carrots, onions, garlic, and tomatoes, seasoned with olive oil and vinegar, and topped with crumbled feta and Kalamata olives.

Crusty Bread (for dipping in the soup)

Steamed Broccoli with Olive oil and Lemon (light and fresh)

🍫 The Sweet Finale:

• Baklava (flaky pastry filled with nuts and soaked in honey syrup)
• Greek Yogurt with Honey & Walnuts (simple and satisfying)

Drinks

• Assyrtiko Wine (a crisp white wine from Greece, great with Mediterranean flavors)
• Ouzo (a traditional Greek aperitif, served chilled)
• Sparkling Water (with lemon slices)

✨ Are you tempted? Let me know in the comments! ✨

Kali orexi! 🍽️

Want more authentic Greek recipes? 📘 Discover my eBook here!

Greek Baked layered Pasta (Pastitsio or the alter ego of Moussaka ! )

>>>>This recipe is part of my ebook « Vivian Is Cooking Greek – 44 Authentic Recipes to Try at Home » <<<<

Pastitsio, the alter ego of Moussaka, is a comforting Greek pasta dish, often compared to lasagna. Exactly like Moussaka, it consists of layers of pasta (instead of vegetables), rich meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel topping..