My 2023 Christmas recipes

 Merry Xmas with my recipes! To be shared with your dearest!

Melomakarona, Kourambiedes, Stuffed Turkey, Xmas Swiss roll, Ekmek kadaif, 

Stuffed mushrooms, Mini pasticcios, Pavlova and Xmas pudding. 

Mascarpone - nutella cake

🌟 Difficulty	⏱️ Time	🍽️ Serves	🔪 Skill level
★★ Easy	50 min + chilling	8	Beginner

A gourmet chocolate cake with mascarpone and Nutella filling (an old recipe update), doubled for extra richness and topped with fresh raspberries. Soft, creamy, fruity, and perfect for celebrations — simple to make, decadent to enjoy.

One of out favorite to celebrate among family new sucesses!

Stuffed mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms!

Here's a nice idea for a starter to serve with some nice wine next to the fireplace. Just replace the wine with some softer non-alcoholic version for me :) like a scented water where you have let infused several citrus fruits (nice idea for a new recipe btw). 

Cookies with white Wine

Have some left over white wine and do not know what to do with? I have you the recipe for!

I have indexed it here as Greek Easter cookies but you can improvise and do what ever you want with it.

Yesterday we went crazy and did a mix of various shapes like Christmas, Halloween and striped ones. We had lots of fun doing them with family, not to mention eating them :) 

PS: Better be a dry white wine though.

What to cook in October?

My top recipes for October that the weather starts to get chilly and rainy (at least in my region :) not to mention spooky because of Haloween!

• Butternut squash soup
• Croziflette, savoy specialty!
• Greek ravani (moist cake with semolina)
• Coconut "Ravani"

Super yummy all of them! 

Let me know what you think in your comments.

 

Homemade Pretzels (twist it baby!)

This is THE best recipe to prepare the saltiest soft pretzels! Look no further, my hubby tested it and we are sharing it here. Enjoy!  

Hubby is bringing tasty trends at home thanks to his travelling, here's another one that we are crazy for: 

• Kurtos Kalacs or chimney cakes

Ham and swiss cheese bread/cake

Having friends coming over? Looking for a fast meal? Are on a diet and instead of baking a sweet cake you came to your senses and decide to bake a salty one? Then this recipe is for you. Here we have just loved it! What's the secret ? The swiss cheese (aged Gruyere) that makes all the difference :)

Bake this salty cake that you can either cut in cubes and serve it with toothpicks as an aperitif or serve it with a salad and have a full and tasty meal! 

Other ideas: 

• Tomato-mozzarella-oregano cake
• Feta & dried tomatoes cake
• Aperitif or cocktail hour flower

Coco-choco Banana Bread

🌟 Difficulty	⏱️ Time	🍽️ Serves	🔪 Skill level
★ Easy	45 min	8–10 slices	Beginner

You like banana breads? We do and I am full of inspirations those days, so after my vegan recipe, check my latest one: 

the Coco-Choco! A rich and indulgent twist on classic banana bread, combining chocolate and coconut for a moist, flavorful treat. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack!

VEGAN Banana bread-ilicious!

🌟 Difficulty	⏱️ Time	🍽️ Serves
★ Easy	1h	8–10 slices

You like banana breads? You are vegan or you are looking for a recipe without eggs? You are looking for an excuse to try a new recipe?

A moist, rich, and naturally sweet banana bread made without eggs or dairy. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a guilt-free treat—this recipe proves that vegan baking can be just as delicious!

Check also my other recipes: 

• Coco-choco Banana Bread 
• Vivian's banana bread

Greek Orange Phyllo Cake (Portokalopita)

🌟 Difficulty	⏱️ Time	🍽️ Serves	🔪 Skill level
★★ Easy	1 hr + soaking	10–12	Beginner

Portokalopita

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

A moist, fragrant Greek dessert made with shredded phyllo, yogurt, and a rich orange syrup. Portokalopita is a beloved sweet often served in tavernas — and impossible to resist!

Click on Read me more link below for the recipe. 

Love to hear your feedback! (In comments below)

French Waffles (Gaufres)

🌟 Difficulty⏱️ Time🍽️ Serves🔪 Skill level

★ Easy

25 min

6–8 waffles

Beginner

French breakfast to it's best! Waffles are called "gaufres" in french and if you have never tried them before or were looking for a basic recipe that it's easy and works very well, then try this one :)

Requires a waffle iron (electric waffle maker).

Greek Custard & Whipped Cream Dessert (Ekmek Kadaifi)

[Updated 30/03/2925]

A crispy, syrup-soaked kadaifi base topped with creamy custard and fluffy whipped cream. This Greek version features walnuts and warm spices for a truly indulgent treat!

Kadaifi dough is a fine, thread-like pastry, typically found in Mediterranean, Greek, or Middle Eastern grocery stores, often in the frozen section. If frozen, defrost overnight in the fridge before use.

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

Happy Valentine's day 2020 !

Ok, I am not fan of St Valentine's day, but I have to admit that it's fun and I get inspired to make fancy cakes :) So, enjoy my first Pavlova for 2020, we ate two thirds of it in the first round !!! 

Try the recipe, it's one of my favorites...
Not to mention that you can choose any shape you like and adapt it to any theme.
Cheers!  

A printable recipe card perfect for Valentine’s Day in my Etsy shop. 👉 Get it here →