Menu #2 (Greek with a twist)

 Menu of 07/02/2025 

Click to find all my Menu ideas so far. 

Starter: Tyropita (Feta cheese pie)

ready made fyllo today 

Main: Port tenderloin with leek and celery

Dessert: Chocolate muffins with a twist 

(added pink pralina or coconut powder)

Montbéliard Winter Roast – A Hearty Oven Dish with Potatoes, Mushrooms & Sausages

Winter calls for warmth, comfort, and hearty flavors, and this oven-baked dish with Montbéliard sausages, potatoes, and mushrooms has become a staple in my home. Originally, I created it as a side dish for cheese fondue, thinking of those who couldn’t enjoy melted cheese due to intolerance or preference. But it quickly took on a life of its own—loved by everyone, requested again and again, and now a winter classic in my kitchen.

I hope that this effortless and flavorful Montbéliard Winter Roast, brings the same warmth and joy to your table. Try it, and let me know how it turns out!

Menus ideas

Looking for ideas for cooking menus? 

Updated regularly, this new post will index my way of dealing with cooking when eating @ home. 

Going to extremes, from ridiculously easy ones to tedious or just a combination from both, here's my selection with photos and links to recipes whenever possible :   

Menu #1 (Greek):

Starter = Tzatziki or guacamole  

Main = Veal or Pork chops and baby potatoes (tomatoes, garlic, oregano,

thyme, olive oil)

Dessert = Ekmek kadaif

Drink: Apple Cider

French brioche bread variations

I share in this blog one of the most amazing recipes for French Brioche Bread, that if you have not tried it yet, now is the time! 

I have just added some variations that will motivate you even more: cinnamon rolls and pralina snail. With Valentine's day ahead, the last one in a heart shape might be a smash ;) 

Save Time in the Kitchen: Freeze Your Fresh Herbs!

 

Do you love cooking with fresh herbs but hate seeing them wilt before you can use them all? There’s a simple solution—freeze them!

Next time you buy parsley, dill, mint, or any other fresh herbs, take a few minutes to wash them, chop them, pack them into small freezer bags, and store them in the freezer. Whenever you need a handful for a recipe, just grab and sprinkle—no washing, drying, or chopping required!

Frozen herbs retain their flavor and aroma, making them perfect for soups, sauces, marinades, and even omelets. Plus, this method saves money and reduces waste.

Try it out and enjoy the convenience of having fresh-tasting herbs at your fingertips anytime! 

Xmas Eve menu

 

Wandering what to prepare for the Christmas eve when you have still invited friends coming over the next day? Here's an easy menu for your very close dears that I propose together with my best wishes:

 - Salmon rolls filled with scallop shells - asparagus - mushrooms (oven fan 180 for 40min)  

- Melomakarona, the greek xmas biscuits with honey and cinnamon (2024 photo)

Merry Xmas!

BBQ side dish

Summer is the perfect season for a bbq, finding a side dish is not always easy though.

Here's my latest ideas: a couscous salad with 

• fried cubes of vegetables (eggplants and zucchini) and 
• fresh cherry tomatoes
• some good olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme 

or a pasta salad with

• fresh pasta trofie (soft thin twisted pasta from northern Italy)
• tuna in olive oil
• fresh cherry tomatoes
• mozzarela buffalo cheese
• freshly cut and chopped chives (ciboulette in french)
• some good olive oil, salt and white pepper 

will lift it. If you add a greek tzatziki to add some moisture to the whole menu, then you have the perfect combination! No, I forgot the most important ingredient: good company to share all this :) 

Reminder recipe: Mascarone nutella cake!

 

When negative vibes arise, some chocolate and nutella can set them aside and make life look good again. Check one of the two versions of my mascarpone nutella cake, both wonderful:

• less calories, less looks: https://vivianiscooking.blogspot.com/2016/10/chocolate-cake-with-mascarpone-nutella.html
• more calories, more looks : https://vivianiscooking.blogspot.com/2023/11/mascarpone-nutella-cake.html 

Enjoy as always!

Alternatives for the Greek spanakotyropita!

Lazy for the full version of the greek spanakotyropita (spinach-feta pie) but still craving for it? I have some alternatives for you. Make the same filling as the original recipe and 

• either make snails using fyllo pastry that you fold in half, oil a bit, add some filling and roll and twist like a snail (see photos)
• or use 2 rectangular sheets of puff pastry that you insert the filling in between and cut in pieces 

Bake as usual until golden colored.

Enjoy!

Anniversary Cake full of chocolate!

Looking for the perfect cake for a big anniversary full of chocolate and charm? Look no further, I got it up for you! For the 18 or 20 year of your child, your wedding anniversary, or any other big event of your life that you prefer baking by yourself instead of ordering something here's all you need (apart from tons of love for the celebrating person)...

PS: Special credits to my daughter and her friend that I gave them my kitchen and made this gorgeous cake. Having done all the cleaning, I deserve some credits too, no? ;) 

Easy and light version of moussaka

 

Summer is the perfect time to bake greek moussaka, as eggplants are at their best, so I highly recommend it! The caveat is that it is not an easy task and usually in summer we want to rest and recharge. In addition, frying too is not the best summer task either.

So, here's an update to my Authentic, traditional recipe of Moussaka!!!: Follow the exact recipe apart from the way of cooking the vegetables. For them, I suggest instead:

1. you cut them in small cubes, 
2. empty them in a big oven tray, 
3. pour some olive oil all over, add, salt, pepper and thyme or oregano
4. mix well
5. bake at 200 degrees of Celsius for about 30min or until softened 

My son even said that he prefers this version better :) Enjoy!

Summer menu idea

 

When temperatures rise, here's a fresh idea for a light menu:

Grilled salmon, cantonese rice and a nice slice of fresh pineapple! 

Roast Beef with potatoes in the oven

 Classic Sunday cooking: some good piece of meat and potatoes in the oven. Easy, classy and pleases the majority of people. Here's the french way of cooking it.