Moussaka a la Kleftiko

Greek Moussaka a la Kleftiko

Greek Moussaka a la Kleftiko

Greek Moussaka a la Kleftiko

SpiceBreeze
Though Moussaka doesn’t origin in Greece, it became the best known of all Greek dishes. Authentic Moussaka is a casserole made with ground lamb and eggplant covered with a thick layer of béchamel sauce. The latter is quite tricky to master. This recipe is a combination with Kleftiko, a lamb dish baked in parchment paper. It’s easy to prepare, fun to eat, and has a rich Moussaka flavor.
 
Hands-on Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Shopping list

  • 1.5 lb lamb chops or beef sirloin steaks
  • 1/2 inch large eggplant cut lengthwise into thin 1/4 slices
  • 1/2 lb potatoes cut into thin 1/4 slices
  • 2 tbsp red wine
  • 2 tomato/es cut into 1/4 inch slices
  • 1 cup grated cheese of your choice
  • 1 lettuce of your choice

You might have

  • 1 onion sliced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic sliced
  • 1 orange for juice
  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Culinary Spice Kit

  • Black pepper thyme, cinnamon, bay leaves

Instructions
 

Prepare

  • In a large BOWL, add eggplant and a pinch of salt. Cover with cold water. Let rest for 15 minutes. Drain.
  • Season lamb with salt to taste.
  • In a BOWL, mix 7 tbsp oil, wine, and about half of the Moussaka Spices.
  • Preheat OVEN to 400°F.

Create 3 packets, each as follows:

  • On an 8-inch PLATE, place (1) ALUMINUM FOIL and (2) BAKING PAPER, each a sheet of about 20 inches long.
  • Staple: eggplant, lamb, tomato, garlic.
  • Place potatoes and onions around.
  • Drizzle with 3 tbsp of the oil mixture.
  • Season with salt and sprinkle with cheese.
  • Close BAKING PAPER, then FOIL
  • Place the packets on a baking rack.

Bake

  • Bake about 60 minutes until cooked.

Salad

  • Mix 3 tbsp orange juice, 1 tbsp oil, salt & pepper to taste. Toss over lettuce.

Serve

  • Serve salad with packets.
  • Enjoy!
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

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Black Tahini

Tahini

 

Black Tahini

Tahini

SpiceBreeze

Ingredients
  

Shopping list for Tahini Paste (optional)

  • 1 cup sesame seeds
  • 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil

Shopping list for Tahini Sauce

  • 1 cup tahini paste store-bought or see additional recipe below
  • 2-5 cloves garlic peeled and grated
  • 1/4-1/2 cup lime or lemon juice

Instructions
 

Tahini paste (Optional)

  • In a PAN, over medium heat, roast sesame seeds until they turn golden brown. Stir frequently and be careful, not to burn the seeds!
  • In a FOOD PROCESSOR, mix sesame seeds and 1/4 cup of oil into a paste.
  • Add slowly more oil if necessary, 1/2 tbsp at a time.
  • The ideal paste should be just liquidy enough that it doesn't stick to a spoon. Though, it doesn't have to be perfect.

Tahini sauce

  • In a BOWL, mix tahini paste with 1/4 cup of water.
  • Add garlic, salt and lime juice to taste.
  • Depending on how liquid your tahini paste is, you might need to add more water. The sauce should be liquid enough to pour it over the falafel, but not watery.
Italian Spaghetti Napolitana

Italian Spaghetti Napolitana

Italian Spaghetti Napolitana

Spaghetti Napolitana

SpiceBreeze
Despite the name of this dish, it didn't originate in Naples. It's a variation of pasta al pomodoro (noodles with tomatoes), a basic Italian meal. This Napolitana spice blend adds the Mediterranean aroma of mixed herbs. Optionally, try a variation with vegetables or meat (Spaghetti Bolognese).
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1 lb ground meat [1] optional

Fresh Produce

  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 8 oz vegetables [2] finely cut (optional)
  • 1 cup basil or parsley leaves for garnish

Dairy

  • 1/2 cup cheese [3] finely grated (optional)

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 1 can tomatoes [4] 17-18 oz
  • 1 lb spaghetti or capellini, bucatini, or other noodles of your choice
  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Napolitana Culinary Spice Kit

  • Onion, garlic, oregano, basil, marjoram, sage, chili, celery

Suggested Sides

  • lettuce or cucumber salad with a mild dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, and salt & pepper

Instructions
 

Sauce

  • In a POT, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Add onions and fry them until they are translucent.
  • Careful of splatters, add tomatoes and Napolitana spices.
  • Optionally, add ground meat and stir until it's crumbled.
  • Optionally, add finely cut vegetables. Mix well.
  • Cover and bring to a boil.
  • Turn heat to medium-low.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cover and cook for 30-90 minutes.

Noodles

  • Cook the noodles according to package instructions.

Serve

  • Pour Napolitana sauce over the noodles.
  • Optionally, sprinkle with cheese, and garnish with basil or parsley leaves.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

[1] beef, pork, lamb, poultry, or a mix of it
[2] recommended: carrots, turnip, or parsnip; eggplant
[3] recommended: parmesan
[4] The ingredients in the can should be only tomatoes and no seasoning.
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

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Orange Semolina Cake

Mastic Orange Semolina Cake

Orange Semolina Cake

Orange Semolina Cake

SpiceBreeze
Cuisine Greek

Ingredients
  

Shopping list for the batter

  • 1.5 cup semolina
  • 0.5 cup sugar use to taste: up to 0.25less or more
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 0.25-0.5 tsp ground small mastic tears
  • 1.5 cup yogurt
  • 0.5 c milk
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Shopping list for the syrup

  • 0.75 cup sugar use to taste: 0.25less or up to 0.75more
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 3 green cardamom pods optional
  • 1 stick cinnamon optional

Shopping list for garnish (optional)

  • 1 orange halved and sliced
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup ice cream vanilla or orange flavor

Instructions
 

Syrup

  • In a small POT, add bring 0.5 cup of water to boil.
  • Stir in sugar until dissolved.
  • Optional: Add cardamom or cinnamon.
  • Mix in orange juice. Return to a boil.
  • Turn heat to low and cook slowly for about 10 minutes. The syrup shall have thickened but still be runny.
  • Remove and let cool.

Batter

  • In a BOWL, mix semolina with sugar, baking soda, and mastic.
  • Add yogurt, milk, and lemon juice.
  • With an ELECTRIC MIXER, beat until the batter is creamy.

Bake

  • Preheat OVEN to 350°F.
  • Spread a thinly layer of butter onto a BAKING PAN.
  • Pour the batter into the BAKING PAN.
  • Bake for about 1 to 1.5 hours until its baked and lightly golden.
  • If the top turns brown before it fully baked, cover the pan with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
  • Take the BAKING PAN out.
  • Pour syrup over hot cake.
  • Let cool.

Serve

  • Sprinkle cake with powdered sugar.
  • Serve cake with orange slices and/or ice cream.

Notes

Here are some Greek cake recipes. For all you can add ground mastic tears to the batter to get this special flavor:
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Rice porridge with grilled vegetables

Savory Rice Porridge

Rice porridge with grilled vegetables

Savory Rice Porridge

SpiceBreeze
Cuisine Greek
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb grilled meat and/or grilled vegetables
  • 2 cups rice
  • 4 cups broth
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 lemon for juice
  • 1 tbsp parsley chopped
  • 4 tomato/es chopped
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • green cardamom pods
  • 1/2-1 tsp ground mastic
  • salt

Instructions
 

Rice

  • In a POT, add rice, broth, cardamom and salt to taste.
  • Cover. Bring to boil. Turn heat to low. Cook until rice is done.
  • Optional: Add 1/2 cup milk and cook about 5 minutes until the rice thickens
  • Take cardamom out.

Mastic Butter

  • In a small POT, melt butter with ground mastic to taste over low heat.

Serve

  • Drizzle butter over plated rice.
  • Serve with grilled meat and/or veggies.
  • Add a tomato salad seasoned with 1 tbsp lemon juice, fresh parsley, and garlic. No oil.
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity

Savory Rice Porridge

Savory Rice Porridge

  • 1 lb grilled meat and/or grilled vegetables
  • 2 cups rice
  • 4 cups broth
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 lemon for juice
  • 1 tbsp parsley (chopped)
  • 4 tomato/es (chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (grated)
  • green cardamom pods
  • 1/2-1 tsp ground mastic
  • salt

Rice

  1. In a POT, add rice, broth, cardamom and salt to taste.
  2. Cover. Bring to boil. Turn heat to low. Cook until rice is done.
  3. Optional: Add 1/2 cup milk and cook about 5 minutes until the rice thickens
  4. Take cardamom out.

Mastic Butter

  1. In a small POT, melt butter with ground mastic to taste over low heat.

Serve

  1. Drizzle butter over plated rice.
  2. Serve with grilled meat and/or veggies.
  3. Add a tomato salad seasoned with 1 tbsp lemon juice, fresh parsley, and garlic. No oil.
Grilled Halloumi Cheese salad

Halloumi Salad

Greek Halloumi Salad

Halloumi Salad

SpiceBreeze
Welcome to the delicious world of grilled halloumi salad! This vibrant and flavorful dish combines the smoky goodness of grilled halloumi cheese with a medley of fresh vegetables and zesty dressing. Whether you're looking for a light lunch, a refreshing side, or a vegetarian option, this salad is sure to satisfy your cravings.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Salad Base

  • 1 Frisee lettuce or your lettuce of choice

Soft Ingredients

  • 1-2 oranges
  • 8 oz cherry tomatoes halved

Protein

  • 2 Halloumi cheese or firm mozzarella or firm tofu about 8 oz each
  • oil

Salad Dressing

  • 1 tbsp mastic olive oil [1] see notes for recipe
  • 1 orange for juice
  • salt & pepper

Suggested Side

  • 1 baguette sliced

Instructions
 

Prepare Oranges

  • Peel the oranges.
  • With a sharp knife, remove the peel and white pith from the sections.

Mix Dressing

  • In a BOWL, mix mastic olive oil [1] with 1 tbsp orange juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Fry Halloumi

  • Cut halloumi into thin slices (8 slices per package).
  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat.
  • Fry halloumi slices for about 2 minutes until they turn golden on both sides and start slightly to melt.

Assemble

  • Distribute lettuce on plates.
  • Place cherry tomatoes and orange sections on lettuce.
  • Drizzle with vinaigrette.
  • Place halloumi slices on top.
  • Optionally, serve with warm baguette slices.
  • Enjoy!
Marceline Reid-Jaques
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!

Enter the Culinary World

Be Inspired | Explore your boundaries and creativity