Ahhhh it is this time of the year again... The time when the leaves start to turn gold and one by one leave the tree. The weather changes and a cool breeze hits you out of nowhere. Usually, comes with a cooler shower and the smell of rain that hits the otherwise, dry from the hot summer, earth. So beautiful autumn is... Unfortunately it is still hot in the UAE. However, that does not stop Starbucks from selling its famous pumpkin spiced latte. Not a coffee at all if you ask me, but I love it nonetheless, as a sweet drink that is something different than hot chocolate. The smell of it reminds me of cooler months and rainy nights in the States, when I would sit outside my favourite coffee place and sip on it while talking with friends. The smell also reminds me of Thanksgiving and the famous pumpkin pie that they make during that time. We as Greeks make a completely different pumpkin pie. We use phyllo, and the pumpkin is grated on top with brown sugar and cinnamon. More phyllo is added on top and then it is baked, releasing all the aromas from the pumpkin and the cinnamon. You can either make it like that or you can prepare it in a shape of a snail. Brings out a memory of my grandmother as she used to make it very often as a dessert. Today I will be making this for you. Please do try it as a different version of the pumpkin pie that you are most likely accustomed to and I am sure you will love it! Kali Oreksi and Happy Autumn for those of you who are experiencing it! Dia, Kostas and Tony Pumpkin pieIngredients for 8 people: For the filling you will need:
For the phyllo you will need:
Additionally you will need:
for more information on how to make the pumpkin pie please click here
We will end the chapter of of our vacation in Greece on a sweet note. Our last week back home was very busy but we made time to visit the honey festival that was taking place under our famous lighthouse! Local honey producers came to show their products, mainly honey but also everything else related to a beehive. From bees wax mixed with St, John's wort oil used in burns or wounds in general, to candles, bee pollen to add to your breakfast and of course last but not least the different kinds of honey. Greece is of course, known for its honey. Thyme honey is very popular! However, there are many different types of honey produced in Greece depending on the location and the season. They say that the geography of Greece is what creates a diversity of plants that bees feed on to make this wonderful nectar, that even the mythology gods fed on! We bought all different kinds of honey and brought back to UAE with us. Wild flower honey, thyme honey of course, but also oak tree honey. It is the first time I am trying this type of honey. It has a darker color than honey coming from flowers, more like pine honey but with a richer taste and aroma. Simply delicious! And since honey is the topic of our blog today what more could we make other than a dessert that has honey drizzled all over it. A truly Greek dessert! Phyllo, stuffed with Cretan Mizithra (μυζἠθρα) and feta, either fried or baked (if you want to go healthy) and drizzled with Greek Honey when it is still hot! The sweetness of the honey combined with the saltiness of the cheese and the crunchy phyllo makes this dish so delicious! If you don't have Mizithra cheese you can substitute it for ricotta cheese. Give it a try and let us know what you think! Kali Oreksi! Dia, Kostas and Tony Cheese stuffed triangles drizzled with honey.Ingredients for 6 people:
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The Greek cuisine |