Penne siciliana

Italian inspiration this week, and today my favorite pasta dish: penne siciliana! With a few noble ingredients you can make so nice dishes like this. Take an eggplant, some garlic, tomato sauce, add mozzarella and you have it!

Ingredients
500gr penne pasta
1 eggplant
2 garlic toes
1 tomato sauce can
150gr mozzarella cheese
salt, pepper, olive oil, parsley

Lasagne, pasta fiesta!

Lasagne is a classic dish that is very popular and easily appreciated. Find today my way of making lasagne and get it in your weekly menu if not yet :)

Ingredients:
1 box of pasta for lasagne
1 can of tomato sauce
grated cheese (parmigiano reggiano and emmental)
bechamel sauce and sauce bolognese

Spanakotyropita (Greek Spinach & Feta Pie)

[UPDATED 24/03/2025] Check also the alternatives here

Love spinach and feta? Imagine them wrapped in golden, crispy phyllo with fragrant dill—this is spanakotyropita, a classic from my home region, Thessaly, famous for its pies. 

While ready-made phyllo makes it quick and easy, homemade dough takes it to the next level. Whether you go traditional or take the shortcut, this pie brings the taste of Greece to your kitchen.

Rice pudding

Rice pudding (risogalo in greek) is a classic desert especially for young kids. If you also add some cinnamon on top, it's even better. And it's so easy to make as you will see, that there are no excuses. So here it goes...

Tiramisu, the most popular!

When I was adding here half a year ago, the recipe of my tiramisu, I could never imagine

that it will have such a success!!! 

 

I knew that it is very tasty as many of my friends reaaally like it, but I was thinking 

that a tiramisu without coffee and alcohol would seem very childish to other people... 

 

You know what? approximately 1000 people liked it and actually was searching for such a recipe :) 

Who would believe it? So, I am not alone... 

 

Find again here this very popular recipe, signed by Vivian ;) 
 

(http://vivianiscooking.blogspot.com/2013/05/tiramisu-of-vivian-no-coffee-no-alcohol.html)

 

Happy New Year 2014!

Happy New Year dear readers :)

May 2014 is better than 2013...

May serendipity sustains creativity !
(my favorite wish for this year)

Stuffed turkey or capon!

Let's start 2014 with a classic recipe that could not be omitted from this blog this festive period, stuffed turkey!
Or to be more precise, stuffed capon that we prefer, as it is tastier than turkey...
The tips for this recipe is to choose a capon instead of turkey and to buy it much earlier than the day that you will cook it and put it in the freezer. Enjoy!

Kadaif, oriental pastry

Let's continue this festive season with an oriental pastry that is typical in Greece. You will need a special oriental pastry that is called "kadaif" and you will find it in shops that sell oriental products. You can keep it in the freezer for several months, so if you like this recipe, just get double quantity for the next time :)  It has a syrup, so it's quite sweet, once again, be careful with calories...

Melomakarona (Honey Christmas cookies)

[Updated 11/03/2025]

Every country has a recipe for xmas cookies, find today here the greek way :)
It's full of honey, cinnamon and walnuts! You will be surprised how tasty they are although quite sweet and heavy in calories... Despite this, when I make them for Xmas, we tend to finish them so fast that I have to redo for Xmas once again :)
Not many succeed to make them in Greece, so do not underestimate my recipe as it is a sure one for success... and I share it today with you together with the small secret that goes with it ;)

Merry Xmas!

All the best to all of you! 

A big thanks to all the people out there from America, Australia, Africa, Asia, and of course Europe, that keep coming back to my blog and like my recipes ... 

Keep cooking! It makes quality of life much much better....

Vivian

Chicken with Exotic Okra (Kotopoulo Me Bamies)

[Updated 18/03/2025]

A Greek classic with a twist! Tender chicken is oven-baked with okra and potatoes in a rich tomato sauce, creating a flavorful, wholesome dish.

Vivian's quiche

I live in France for years, and when I ask a french friend for an idea on what to cook for dinner, very often I get the same answer: a quiche! So, here's a quiche a la Vivianne (that's how they write my name in french :)   

Red Chicken with Spaghetti (Kotopoulo Kokkinisto Me Makaronia)

[Updated 18/03/2025]

A comforting Greek favorite, this tender chicken is simmered in a rich tomato sauce and served over spaghetti. Simple, delicious, and perfect for the whole family!