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!

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.

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

• Melomakarona – honey-soaked cookies with walnuts
• Kourambiedes – buttery almond shortbreads
• Ravani – moist semolina cake with syrup
• Galatopita – creamy custard phyllo pie
• Vivian’s Pudding (Walnut Cake) – fragrant and tender
• Ekmek Kadaifi – shredded phyllo dessert with creamy toping

European Favorites

• Bûche de Noël – xmas swiss roll - classic rolled yule log
• Rice Pudding (Riz au lait) – comforting and creamy
• Cinnamon Rolls – soft, spiced, and sweet
• Kürtőskalács – Hungarian chimney cake, crispy and caramelized

Festive Treats & Extras

• Roasted Chestnuts – perfectly clean and tender in the Ninja Crispi

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)

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.

Ninja Crispi (Air Fryer) – My First Experiment!

I finally tried the Ninja Crispi for the very first time, and of course, I had to start with something familiar: Greek meatballs (keftedakia) and homemade fries (click on the links for the details). 

I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would it get the fries crispy? Would the meatballs stay juicy? But I was curious, and this felt like the perfect test.

For a first experiment, it turned out surprisingly good. The fries became golden with just a tiny amount of oil, and the meatballs stayed soft inside while holding a nice crust outside. Not bad at all for my first air fryer adventure!

This definitely motivated me to try more Greek recipes in it. Maybe kolokythokeftedes or chicken souvlaki, so stay tuned!

Serving Idea: Serve your keftedakia and fries with a squeeze of lemon, a pinch of sea salt, and a bowl of tzatziki or fresh salad on the side. A simple, familiar Greek plate—made faster and lighter.

Cantucci (Italian Almond Cookies)

Crunchy, fragrant almond cookies from Tuscany, flavored with lemon zest and honey. Traditionally, they are enjoyed dipped in Vin Santo, a sweet Italian dessert wine, but they are also perfect with coffee or tea. These cookies store well in an airtight container for weeks.

Basil Pesto (Pesto alla Genovese)

A fragrant Italian sauce made with fresh basil, garlic, nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, grilled vegetables, or as a flavorful dip. You can freeze it in cubes for long-lasting freshness.

New York Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis

There are few desserts as iconic and indulgent as the New York cheesecake — dense, smooth, gently tangy, and with that perfect balance between richness and simplicity. I’ve wanted to try it for a while, and I finally did… with ingredients I had on hand. The result? A creamy, luxurious cake topped with a bright raspberry coulis that cuts through the richness beautifully. Crack or no crack — it was divine!

If you're intimidated by the idea of baking a cheesecake, don't be. Just follow the steps, give it time to cool properly, and you’ll be rewarded with something truly special.

Grow Your Own Greek Kitchen: What to Plant in Your Vegetable Garden

If you love cooking Greek food, why not bring a bit of Greece into your backyard or balcony? Many ingredients used in traditional recipes are easy to grow — and even a few pots on a terrace can give you fresh herbs, vegetables, and flavor right at your fingertips.

Here’s a guide to planting your own Greek-style vegetable garden, with a few extra touches for year-round cooking and a little fun for the seasons...