FRESH SALMON MOUSSE

                                                                                                

 

800 g (about 1 lb 10 oz) salmon, skinned and boned

180 ml (¾ cup) dry white wine

60 ml (¼ cup) water

1 carrot, sliced

1 leek, white part only, sliced

1 tender celery stalk, finely sliced

1 bay leaf

2-3 lemon slices

Salt and 5-6 peppercorns

 

Sauce:

2 tbsp butter

5 tbsp cornflour

500 ml (2 cups) or more hot milk

½ large onion

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

 

5 sheets gelatine steeped in iced water for 5-7 minutes

 

125 ml (½ cup) low fat mayonnaise

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp chopped dill

1-2 spring onions, very finely chopped

1-2 tsp Dijon mustard

250 ml (1 cup) full cream whipped to soft peaks

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Pour the wine and water in a shallow saucepan and add the onion, sliced vegetables, peppercorns salt, bay leaf and simmer for about 7 minutes.  Place the salmon in the stock, spoon a few vegetables and the lemon slices on top.  Cover the saucepan, and poach for 7 minutes, then turn the fish over and simmer for 8 minutes more or until the fish flakes easily. Remove the salmon and cool.  Reduce the cooking liquid to 2-3 soupspoons, strain and reserve.

 

 In the meantime, bring the milk to the boil, with the onion and bay leaf.  Remove from the heat and leave to infuse for at least 10 minutes.  To prepare the sauce, melt the butter add the cornflour and cook, stirring for 2-3 minutes. Strain the milk and add it gradually to the roux, stirring constantly. Simmer the sauce until it thickens, stirring, and cook for 3-4 minutes more. Remove from the heat and cool for 1 minute. Squeeze the gelatine sheets and mix very well into the warm sauce, until completely combined.

 

Add the sauce and the reserved cooking liquid to the poached salmon and blend until the mixture is quite smooth.  Transfer the mixture onto a large bowl, add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, chopped dill, spring onions and mix well together.  Fold in the whipped cream and then taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly.   Finally, spoon the mixture into a souffle dish lined with cling film, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

 

One hour or more before serving, invert the salmon mousse on a serving dish and garnish with halved lemon slices, smoked salmon roses and parsley twigs.              

GREEK TURKISH RELATIONS

                                                                                                                                                                

The relations of the two countries are worsening by the day.  President Erdogan says he does not want to talk to the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The Greek side, knowing that all his accusations against their country are false, decided not to reply to this arrogant person.  Greece and the international community are enraged with Erdogan changing Aghia Sophia, a UNESCO protected building, from a museum into a mosque. I wish that we had good neighbours like our United European partners have.  

 

 

  

AUBERGINE SHOES PAPOUTSAKIA

                                                                                                               

Ingredients for four people:

8 aubergines

 

½ kg minced beef

2 onions, peeled and grated

1 garlic clove, peeled and minced

1 cinnamon stick

2 tbsp tomato puree

Olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Bechamel sauce

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp plain flour

1 bay leaf

2 cups or more hot milk

1 tsp grated nutmeg

2 eggs, whipped

Salt and pepper to taste

Grated cheese.

 

 

Cut the aubergines in two and empty half the flesh with a spoon. Sauté the aubergine flesh, minced beef, onions, garlic in olive oil, and add the cinnamon stick and salt and pepper to taste cover with water and simmer until cooked, discard the cinnamon stick and spoon back into the aubergine shells. 

 

Bechamel sauce:

Melt the butter and stir in the flour and bay leaf and cook gently until slightly coloured.  Pour in the hot milk, grated nutmeg and simmer gently until the sauce bubbles and thickens. Add the whipped eggs lower the heat and simmer gently.   Discard the bay leaf and cover the aubergine shells lavishly with bechamel, sprinkle with grated cheese and bake in an oven preheated to 180 C (350 F) until puffed and golden.

  

 

   

ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL 0F CONSTANTINOPLE, THE MEMORY OF ASIA MINOR GREEKS NOT ONLY LIVES ON BUT THRIVES.

 

  

Today marks the day in 1453, when the milliard old Greek presence in Asia Minor suffered its fatal blow. Tuesday, the 29^th May 1453, a black day for Greek history, when the invading Ottoman Turkish armies conquered the city of Constantinople, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.  

IMAM BAILDI STUFFED AUBERGINES

 

4 aubergines

Stuffing;

2 onions, peeled and grated

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1/2 tbsp tomato paste

200 g chopped tomatoes

Olive oil about 2 tbsp

Sugar, salt and pepper to taste

 Preheat the oven to 180 C (250 F) and cut the stems off the aubergines and cut them in half. Score the aubergine flesh and bake for 15 minutes until almost tender.  Remove from their shells, chop finely and saute in olive oil and season to taste with salt, pepper and sugar, mix with the remaining ingredients and stuff the aubergine skins with the above mixture, Bake for 25 minutes until thoroughly cooked and serve with crispy brown bread,    

 

CHEWY RAISIN AND OAT BISCUITS

Ingredients:

1 cup raisins 

1cup cornflakes

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup self-rising flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup soft butter

2 eggs

Water

Combine raisins. cornflakes, oats. flour. sugars in a bowl and whisk in butter, eggs, and 1/4 cup water in a jug and pour into raisin mixture until well combined. Take 1 tbsp of the batter at a time and shape into balls.  Place balls 3 cm apart on a tin lined with buttered parchment and flatten out a bit. Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) and bake until crisp and golden.  Cool in the tin, serve and enjoy. 

 

GREEK AND ITALIAN TOURISM

A collaboration between FLAVET, the Italian Federation of Travel Agents, and VISIT GREECE started with an institutional mission last year. This friendly cooperation is now getting stronger in 2022. 

"This is a new step in the internationalization process of "Flavet-conformmacio", an alliance with Greece with which a merged bond open to a new season of tourism in the Mediterranean," said Jovanno Jelenic, president of Flavet Confcommercio when he greeted the adhesion of the  Greek Tourist Board.   

RUSSSIAN - UKRAINE WAR

  "Russian President, Vladimir Putin, will not win the war in Ukraine," Germany's Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said while stressing that NATO military alliance will not become an active party to the conflict.

Speaking on Thursday to a global business community attending the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, the German leader also said that Putin was already beaten in all his strategic aims.  

"The Russian leader "underestimated" the "resolve and strength" of allies in countering his aggression in Ukraine,"  said Scholtz.  "Our goal is crystal clear Putin must not win the war, and I am convinced that he will not win it." 

Regardless of how far the Russian troops advanced, Russia will certainly not win the war because of its aggressiveness against Ukraine which cannot be tolerated by most western countries and their leaders. 

TEXAS SHOOTING

Texas shooting: 19 children young children and 2 adults have died in a shooting of a primary school in south Texas.  

The gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School, which teaches children aged seven to ten in the city of Uvalde before he was killed by the police.

The 18-year-old murderer, Salvador Ramos, killed his grandmother before the rampage. 

It is amazing but teenagers in the USA, are not allowed to buy mild alcohol, like a tin of beer.  but they are allowed to buy arms.  What is going to happen with this powerful arms lobby in the USA?

My sincere condolences to all who have lost their loved ones and my hope that the American government, through the arms' lobby. will not allow minors to buy arms.   

STEAK AND MUSHROOM STEW

 

Ingredients:

1 kg (2 lb) steak, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 tbsp plain flour

3 tbsp olive oil

2 onions, peeled and grated, separated one finely chopped and sauteed unil golden

2 cloves garlic peeled and minced

200 ml white wine

500 g (1 lb) baby chestnut mushrooms

500 g (1 lb) champignons de Paris, (white mushrooms) 

3 rashers bacon

Salt and pepper to taste

Gremolata:

60 g chopped parsley

Zest of 1 lemon

1 onion, chopped and sauteed until golden

Dust the meat with flour, season with salt and pepper, and saute in half the olive oil for 4 minutes, until browned, remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the remaining oil and gently fry the bacon and 1 chopped onion, stirring for 5 minutes until golden.

Pour in the wine and simmer gently until the alcohol evaporates, about 3 minutes. Pour in some hot water to cover and simmer for about 1 hour until the meat is almost tender.  Add the mushrooms, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes until the steak and mushrooms are tender and the sauce thickens.

Combine the chopped parsley, lemon zest, and remaining chopped and sauteed onion and place in a bowl.  Serve the steak and mushrooms topped with the gremolata. 

 

BREADSTICKS

160 g plain flour

100 g iced butter, cubed

120 g Gruyere from Crete

1 tbsp dry thyme

1 egg yolk

Cold water

Pepper to taste

Coarse salt 

Place the flour and butter in a large bowl and blend until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  Add the grated Gruyere and the thyme and knead well.  Pour in the egg yolk whipped with 1 tbsp cold water and stir until well combined. Cut the dough into walnut-sized pieces and shape sticks the size of a small finger

Place them on a tin lined with parchment, brush with water, sprinkle evenly with coarse salt and bake for 12 minutes until crisp and golden. .

THE ELGIN MARBLES TO RETURN TO GREECE.

 Are the Elgin Marbles a step closer to being returned? British officials agree to talks to resolve the long-lasting dispute with Greece over the sculptures.

The British Government has now agreed to UNESCO-backed talks on the repatriation of the Elgin Marbles which could be brought back to Greece and resolve the long-standing dispute. 

POSSIBLE DEPARTURE OF ERDOGAN FROM TURKEY

 According to the Greek press and media, President Erdogan is sending large amounts of money abroad so that he and his family can flee to a  friendly country if he does not win the elections due to the dismal economic situation in Turkey. 

REASONS WHY 2022 WILL BE A TOUGH YEAR FOR GREEK TURKISH RELATIONS

 The last few days herald a difficult year for Greek  Turkish relations.  This assessment is supported by:

1.  The international situation in Turkey/

As the Turkish economy is in turmoil, President Erdogan will be hard-pressed to change Turkey's tarnished image.

Deollit Burceli, Erdogan's nationalist ally, will help the Turkish President to boost Turkish pride.  The Kurdish, and Cyprus issues and terrible relations with Greece have always lent themselves to political ends and electionary purposes in Turkey. 

2. The hardening of Turkey's position towards Greece and Cyprus.  Last July, Turkish diplomacy proceeded to expand its "negotiations curriculum" with Greece. In letters from the representative of Turkey to the United Nations, Feridum Sinirlioglu. it added the demilitarisation of Greek islands as a precondition for the recognition of Greek sovereignty over them is completely unsustainable from a legal standpoint and a politically unacceptable position. Thus, the Turkish request for demilitarisation was linked to the sovereignty of the Greek islands such as Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Limnos and Samothraki. This is an unprecedented distortion of the provision of the Treaty of Lausanne. 

3. The election timing in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. 2023 is an election year in all three countries. This situation will render it difficult, over the course of 2022, which is pre-election year in all three countries, for the possibility of moderate movements on the political-diplomatic chessboard.  The responsibilities lie with the Turkish side.  This is confirmed by the hardening of position with aircraft and drones conducting overflights above the Greek islands and with fierce rhetoric against Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, and the President of the Greek Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.  

4. The tension in public and rhetoric and diplomacy. 

The already strident public rhetoric in Greek Turkish relations is expected to intensify on the occasion of 100th anniversary of the destruction of Smirni and the violent expulsion of the Greeks of Asia Minor. It should be borne in mind that 2023 will be a double centenary on one hand, since the foundation of the Turkish republic and on the other side the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, which constitutes the institutional foundation of the status quo in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean challenged by Turkey.  

5. The Turkish view of defense shielding Greece proceeded, as it should have, of strengthening its defense,.  No one knows how some hotheads in Ankara assessed this.  Then there is the migration issue, recently in addition to the repeated Turkish slander against Greece, there has been a resumption of illegal migration flows that may increase, especially if there is a recession in the pandemic.

The combination of all this obliges Greece to be constantly calm and vigorous against any political conception that has its core in "casus belli", the active diplomatic and operational containment policy systematically implemented by the government becomes the only option.  Only in this way can substantive conditions for a strictly demarcated dialogue with Turkey be created.

Until then, we need to be calm and determined.  

GREEEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

 Erdogan says: "I do not accept meeting the Greek Prime Minister at all and there is no Mitsotakis for me. anymore.  

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he has no intention of ever meeting with the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotskis, following his recent criticism of Turkey during his recent visit to the United States. 

"For me, there is no Mitsotakis.  I shall never meet with him again,"  the Turkish president is reported of saying after a meeting of the cabinet.  

It is very unfortunate that we have such an aggressive and brutal neighbor, Turkey who lies and changes circumstances according to his will. Presidernt Erdogan says fake news about the Greek Prime Minister and Turkey's aggression against Greece.  

We, Greeks, wish to state that we abhor the Turkish aggression and lies against our country and Cyprus. Long live Greece and Cyprus 

The name of a village in Corfu near Benitses which resembles the name of an Athenian supburb

GREECE: THE SUMMER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

 A favorite tourist destination, Greece has become the summer capital of the world, and not without good reason.

The unique natural beauty and cultural amenities have established the eastern Mediterranean country as a first-class destination.

Where ever travelers go they will enjoy the innumerable beautiful  Greek islands and the mainland while visiting ancient temples and monuments all over the land. 💓💔 

The Greek Ministry of Tourism is trying its hardest to make the local hotels and restaurants among the best in the European Union, so do visit Greece soon and have an unforgettable holiday!  

NOBEL FOUNDATION RETURNS MYCENAENIAN GOLRING TO GREECE

 An ancient gold ring, dating back to Mycenaean times was recently returned to Greece by Sweden's Nobel Foundation according to an announcement by the Greek Ministry of Culture.  

The Mycenaean signet ring, marked with a pair of winged sphinxes, was handed over to the Head of the Greek Culture Ministry's  Department of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Goods, Eleni Vlachoyianni, during a  ceremony held in Stockholm on Thursday.

"It was obvious to us that the ring had to be returned, this work of art has great cultural and historical value for Greece," Nobel Foundation Executive Director, Vidar Helgesen, said during the event, 

The ring was discovered by archaeologists during excavation works in the Mycenean necropolis of Ialyssos on the Greek island of Rhodes in 1927.  It was kept at the Rhodes Archeological Museum but was stolen during World War II along with hundreds of other antiquities including jewelry and coins that are still missing.  

The ring was illegally exported to the USA and during the 1950s or 1060s was bought by Hungarian biophysicist and Nobel Prize winner Georg von Beilecesy after his death in 1972, his entire collection was handed over to the Nobel Foundation with several artworks kept in various museums. The ring was kept in the Museum of Mediterranean Antiques in Stockholm.

"With their decision to return the Mycenaean ring to Greece, its country of origin, the Nobel Foundation and the Swedish State are showing their respect for modern Greece and the ongoing efforts we make to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property. We are grateful because this is an example of ethics and generosity," Greek Minister of Culture, Mrs. Lina Mendoni said.

The ancient ring will return to the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes 8 decades after its illegal removal.             

NOBEL FOUNDATION RETURNS MYCENAEAN GOLD RING TO GREECE

An ancient gold ring, dating back to Mycenaean times was recently returned to Greece by Sweden's Nobel Foundation according to an announcement by the Greek Ministry of Culture.  

The Mycenaean signet ring, marked with a pair of winged sphinxes, was handed over to the Head of the Greek Culture Ministry's  Department of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Goods, Eleni Vlachoyianni, during a  ceremony held in Stockholm on Thursday.

"It was obvious to us that the ring had to be returned, this work of art has great cultural and historical value for Greece," Nobel Foundation Executive Director, Vidar Helgesen, said during the event, 

The ring was discovered by archaeologists during excavation works in the Mycenean necropolis of Ialyssos on the Greek island of Rhodes in 1927.  It was kept at the Rhodes Archeological Museum but was stolen during World War II along with hundreds of other antiquities including jewelry and coins that are still missing.  

The ring was illegally exported to the USA and during the 1950s or 1060s was bought by Hungarian biophysicist and Nobel Prize winner Georg von Beilecesy after his death in 1972, his entire collection was handed over to the Nobel Foundation with several artworks kept in various museums. The ring was kept in the Museum of Mediterranean Antiques in Stockholm.

"With their decision to return the Mycenaean ring to Greece, its country of origin, the Nobel Foundation and the Swedish State are showing their respect for modern Greece and the ongoing efforts we make to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property. We are grateful because this is an example of ethics and generosity," Greek Minister of Culture, Mrs. Lina Mendoni said.

The ancient ring will return to the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes 8 decades after its illegal removal.             

BUTTERFLIED LEG OF LAMB

 Ingredients:

1 leg of lamb, butterflied

2 medium-sized onions, 1 for garnish  coarsely chopped

1 small piece of ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped 

5 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped

2/3 cup lemon juice

1 tbsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp ground mace

1/4 tsp grated nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish onions and 12 radishes 

Place the chopped onion, ginger, garlic and 4 tsp of lemon juice in an electric blender and pulse for 1 minute until a smooth paste is formed, In a large saucepan place the paste from the blender and all the other ingredients except the meat, extra onion and radishes and mix well. 

Remove the fat from the meat and make a few of jabs on both sides.  Place the meat in the marinade paste. Fold the meat over and cover the saucepan and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning the meat around 3-4 times during this period

The meat is ready for grilling now, but before getting the garnish ready,  Peel the second onion and dice it and place it in iced water and refrigerate.  Cut off the stems, leaves, and tips from the radishes and cut them into flowers, and place them in iced water.

Now light the fire it takes 20-30 minutes to get hot. Remove the meat from the marinade and sear for 5-8 minutes on both sides.  Then rise the grill at its topmost notch and cook for about 20 minutes on each side, brushing frequently witb the marinade.

Slece the meat and place it on a wsrm dish and serve with a green salad, roast potatoes garnished with diced onionn and radishes. 

WORLD'S BEST CHICKEN SALAD

 Ingredients:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked in slightly salted water, then chilled and diced, about 4 cups

1 cup chopped celery

1 1/2 cups halved seedless grapes

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup yogurt

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp mustard

Salt to taste

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1/2 tbsp chopped dill

Place the diced chicken, celery, spring onions and grapes in a large bowl and stir to combine.   In a medium-sized bowl add the remaining ingredients to make the sauce and stir to combine,  Pour the mayonnaise sauce over the chicken mixture and stir to thoroughly coat it.  Cover and chill in the fridge for  4 hours before serving. 

Serve on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomato and avocado.

 

WORLD'S BEST POTATO SALAD

 Ingredients:

3 large potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise

3 carrots, peeled and sliced lengthwise

500 g (1 lb) boiled peas

3 dill pickles

1 onion, peeled and finely chopped

2 hard-boiled eggs

3 tbsp mayonnaise

2 tbsp yogurt

Salt and freshly ground white pepper to tast4

Boil the potatoes and carrots in salted water for 15 minutes until tender.  Drain and rinse with cold water until cold and dice potatoes and carrots.

Combine potatoes,carrots, peas, pickles, onion and eggs together in a large bowl.  Stir mayonnaise, yogurt, salt and pepper into the potato mixture until well combined.  Cover bowl with cling film and refrigerate until cold, for at least 30 minutes. 

PRIME MIISTER MITSOTAKIS IN WASHINGTON

In his recent address to the Joint Session of the US Congress, Greece's Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotaskis, reaffirmed the strong relations between the two countries, whilst highlighting a few firsts that Greece is known for such as inventing democracy and advocating equal rights for women. 

"For it was a Greek man who first advocated equal rights for women.  In THE REPUBLIC Plato proposed that women should share all levels of power and take all challenges, including military service.  Any state that does not employ the talents of its women," Plato made clear, is wasting half of its resources. And as a son, husband, sibling, and father of strong, creative women, I couldn't agree more," said the Prime Minister in his address. 

More controversial, for the British perhaps, was the Greek Prime Minister's characterization of Lord Elgin's relationship with the Parthenon sculptures.

"Like all Greeks, every time I came to Washington, I feel as if I am coming home, because everything I see around me, the architecture, the art and the ideas carved into the marble throughout the city is so familiar."

"Walking to the Lincoln Memorial is like walking into the Parthenon, when it was still intact, before Lord Elgin's collecting hobby defaced it, because it was modeled on an earlier monument.   

KONSTNDINOS NAME DAY

 Today is my beloved grandson's name day.  Many happy returns of the day, Konstantinako mou, may you always be as healthy, happy and loved as you are today!

Tons of love and fillakia.

Yiayia Joy

SPINACH PIE

Ingredients:

1.5 kg (3 lb) fresh spinach

1 kg (2 lb) feta

6 sheets of phyllo pastry

2 eggs

100 g dill

100 g leeks

1 spring onion

Olive oil 

Salt and pepper to taste

Wash and chop the spinach, leeks, and dill into small pieces.  Saute the spring onion, leeks, and dill for 10 minutes and allow to cool.  

Brush a baking tin with olive oil and line with one sheet of phyllo pastry.  Continue the same procedure with two more pastry sheets.

Cut the feta into small cubes and mix it with the whipped eggs in a bowl and and place on top of the vegetables.

Following the same way add the last two pastry sheets, each brushed with olive oil and securely seal the pie.  Split the top of the pie into portions and bake for one hour in an oven preheated to 180 C (350 F) and serve cut into portions and enjoy! 

FOOD FROM MYKONOS

Food from Mykonos is Greek food. Here are two recipes:

                                STUFFED TOMATOES AND PEPPERS  

Ingredients:

3 tomatoes

3 peppers

1 courgette 

Mint 

Olive oil 

1/2 kg (1 lb) rice

Salt and pepper to taste

Slice the top of each tomato, reserving the lids. Scoop out the flesh of the tomatoes, chop it and place it in a bowl.  Also, slice the top of the peppers and discard the seeds. Grate the courgette into the tomato mixture and add salt, pepper, mint, rice, and 1 spoon of sugar, stir them all together and boil the mixture for 10 minutes.

Stuff the tomatoes and peppers with the mixture place the lidson top and drizzle with olive oil and water and bake and bake in an ofven in an oven prheated to to 180 C (350 F) for about 1 hour. 

MYKONOS: THE STORY OF PETROS THE PELECAN

 One of the longstanding mascots of the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos was the pelican affectionately known as Petros.  What makes Petros' infamy all the most interesting is the fact that pelicans are not native of the Aegean Sea. 

Petros was a white pelican, who had the privilege and the honour of becoming the official mascot of Mykonos. This honour was bestowed on the bird inn1958 after it was found hurt off the island by a fisherman.  Nursed back to life it remained on the island and was quickly adopted by the locals who nicknamed it Petros.

An anecdote during Petros' reign, was that when it was a young bird, it flew to the nearby island of Tinos, where the locals decided to keep it.  To regain custody o Petros, the residents if Mykonos started a lawsuit, which ended when the jury decided in their favour.  Myconians celebrated this victory by throwing a large welcome party, with music, dancing, food and drinks for all.  

For many years, Petros was seen strolling around the alleys and streets of the main town as well as the harbour, where visitors from Greece and abroad would come to pet and feed it and pose for a photo or two,  

GREEK PARLIAMENT APPROVES ARMS DEAL

 The Greek parliament approved a 3 billion Euro agreement for three French-made frigates that defense officials say are vital for addressing ongoing tensions with neighboring Turkey. 

Lawmakers also voted in favor of adding 6 new Rafael fighter jets to an existing order of 18 planes.   

NATO members Greece and Turkey remain at odds over maritime boundaries, mineral exploitation and Turkey's violent aggression against Greece and Cyprus.  

It is a great pity that we have such a violent and aggressive neighbor 

TURKEY BLOCKS NATO ACCESSION TALKS

Turkey, with its agressive acts against Greece and Cyprus, has thwarted NATO's initial decision to process Finland and Sweeden's request to join the military alliance, throwing into doubt hopes for the if the two nordic countries.  Something must be done about the member states of NATO that are not peace-friendly.

NATO's ambassdors met on Wednesday with aim of opening talks on the same day that Finland and Sweden applied their applications.

We sincerly hope that Turkey's preposterous intentions will not be fufulled.

LEMON CAKE WITH LEMON ICING

 For the cake:

60 g butter plus extra for the mold

230 g sugar

Grated rind of 2 lemons

170 ml milk

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

3 egg whites

Lemon syrup:

Grated juice and rind of 1 lemon (50 ml)

60 g sugar

80 ml water

Icing:

50 ml  lemon juice

250 g icing sugar

For the cake whip butter, sugar, and lemon zest until well incorporated.  Slowly add the milk, beating constantly until you get a relatively liquid consistency.  In another bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt.  Gradually, add it to the butter mixture in 3-4 small doses.  Continue beating for 5 minutes, until you get a fluffy, glossy cream.

Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks, spoon 1/3 of the whipped egg whites into the batter, then fold in the remaining whites into the batter until well incorporated.  

Pour the batter into a greased cake pan, spread evenly, and bake in an oven preheated to 180 C (350 F) for 35-40 minutes until well risen and springy.  

While the cake is baking prepare the lemon syrup.  Place lemon juice, sugar, lemon zest and water in a small saucepan and simmer for 2-3 minutes over low heat.  Raise the temperature and boil until it has reduced by half and has a thin syrup consistency. When the cake comes out of the oven pour the syrup evenly over it and allow it cool.  

For the icing mix lemon juice and icing sugar in a bowl until you get a thick, smooth mixture. When the cake is completely cold, spread the lemon icing over the surface, allowing some to drip down the sides. 

        

LEMON TART

 Filling:

3 large eggs

1 1.4 cup sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest

1 tsp orange zest 

1/4 cup melted butter

Crust:

1 cup plain flour

1/3 cup icing sugar plus extra

1/2 cup groud almonds

1 tsp lemon zest

1/2 cup cold bitter, cubed

Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) and whisk eggs, sugar, lemon juice and zest, stir in butter and set aside.

For the crust pulse the ingredients in a food processor until mixture forms a ball, Press dough at the bottom and sides of an ungreased, fluted tart pan with removeble bottom.

Pour lemon mixture into the crust and bake for 25-30 minutes until center is almost set.  Cool on a wire rack and just before serving sprinkle with icing sugar.   

   

THE ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM

 The Antikythera Mechanism is an ancient Greek computer, more than 1000 years ahead of its time could accurately predict the motions of planets and stars even when they would appear to move backward across the sky and baffled researchers.

The Antikythera Mechanism was discovered in a shipwreck off the coast of Greece early in the 20th century.  Archaeologists immediately suspected that it was some kind of astronomical clock but figured it was probably renaissance in origin due to its complexity. 

It was not until the 2nd half of the 20th century, that researchers realized it dated back to ancient Greece probably around 100 BC - 200 BC and that it accurately traced the movements of the sun and moon predicting when the eclipses would occur. 

No other machine of such complexity dating back that far has ever been found the technology having been lost, until the late medieval period.  

The Antikythera Mechanism also tracked the movements of Venus and Saturn including that when viewed from the Earth looked like they were traveling backwards across the sky.  

GREEK PRIME MINSTER INTERVIEWED ON AMERICAN NETWORK

 The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, was interviewed by American Network MSNBC.

During the interview, the Greek Prime Minister was asked by Mika Brzezinski, on the Morning Joe program, what his message to America was, ahead of his anticipated speech in Congress.  "That Greece is back," responded Mitsotakis referring to the financial crisis which hurt Greece and the Greek people and had kept the country out of the markets for a few years.  

The Greek Prime Minister also referred to the two years of the pandemic, which he claims, Greece handled better than most European countries, adding that Greece is back on track as an attractive investment destination with many American companies already coming to invest. 

Mitsotakis noted also the record number of direct flights to Greece and the high tourism numbers!   

HOROR IN UKRAINE

Horror of Ukraine war seen in the outdoor photo in the heart of Athens 

 

The tragedy of the Ukrainian war has been captured in an original photo exhibition in the centre of Athens co-organised by the Municipality of Athens and the Embassy of Ukraine.

 

From May 15^th, Queen Olga’s Avenue hosts an open-air exhibition with 57 photos, mainly works of photojournalists from around the warzone.

 

Among them is award-winning photojournalist Aris Messinis head of the French Agency of Greece.  The exhibition was inaugurated by the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyiannis and the Ambassador of Ukraine Sergeii Shutenko. 

RUSSIAN UCRAIN WAR

 The Group of Seven leading economies warned that the war in Ukraine is stoking global food and energy crisis which threatens poor countries and urgent measures are needed to unblock the store of growth that Russia is preventing from leaving Ukraine. 

Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell and a delegation of top senators met with Ukrainian president Zelenski in a Kyiv unannounced visit showing the American solidarity with the Ukrainian war with Russia. 

Ukraine won the first prize in the Eurovision Song Conquest not only for their beautiful song but also for the European solidarity for Ukraine that has been harassed by Russia.

PIZA MARGHERITA

 

For the dough:

500 g plain flour

1 sachet dry yeast

½ tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

200 ml warm water. you might need more

1 tbsp oregano

 

For the top:

2 tbsp olive oil and a little more

1 onion, peeled and sliced

300 ml thick tomato juice

4 small balls of mozzarella, finely sliced

8 anchovies, drained and cut into small slices

100 g grated gruyere from Crete

Freshly ground black pepper.

 

For the dough mix the flour, salt, yeast, and sugar and make a small hole in the center.  Pour in a little warm water until the flour is slightly wet.  Add the remaining water, you might not need it all, and knead until a soft dough is formed.  Place the dough on a floured surface, sprinkle with oregano and knead for 10 minutes until the dough becomes elastic. Place it in a bowl, cover with cling film and a small blanket and let it rise until doubled in bulk.

 

Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape it into balls, and place it on a large tin, lined with baking parchment.  Cover with a small blanket and let it rise once more until doubled in bulk. Then press the pieces of dough with your hands until they become oval in shape. Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F) and bake for 20 minutes until slightly golden.

 

Meanwhile, sauté the onion for 2 minutes.  Pour in the tomato juice and simmer for 5-6 minutes. Remove the tin from the oven and spread the bread with the tomato sauce, place the mozzarella and anchovies on top and sprinkle with cheese and bake until golden brown.  Serve sliced and enjoy!  

SAVOURY CAKE

 Ingredients:

50 ml olive oil

3 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped

100 gr. skinned almonds, blended into a powder

3 eggs

100 ml milk

5 tbsp grated cheese

200 g self-rising flour

1 tbsp baking powder

Salt if necessary and freshly ground pepper to taste

Grated rind of one lemon

Chopped skinned almonds for the top

 

 

Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) and beat olive oil, chives and almond powder for 2 minutes until they turn into a thick sauce and set aside.  In a bowl whip the eggs for 4 minutes until thick and fluffy and meanwhile, in a small bowl mix the milk and the cheese until completely combined add the mixture to a food processor and continue beating until well amalgamated.

 

Add the flour, baking powder, lemon zest and pepper and continue beating for 4 minutes.  Taste for seasoning and adjust, if necessary. Brush a loaf tin with olive oil and spoon in the batter and bake for 45 minutes and check with a tester, that, when inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. 

 

Remove from the oven allow to cool for 15 minutes, reverse on a serving dish, sprinkle with chopped almonds and serve warm or cold with a fresh salad.  

        

CULTURE IN GREECE

  With every destination in Greece, bursting in the seams with history, myths, and local traditions you can go to the best cultural experiences around the top archaeological sites, many UNESCO World Heritage sites, and museums.

 

Culture in Athens starts with the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Odeon of Herodos Atticus, and the Panathenaic Stadium where the modern Olympic Games were hosted as well as the top museums in Athens including the National Archaeological Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art and the Benaki Museum of Greek culture as well as the National Gallery in Athens and the Goulandris Museum of Modern Art, two contemporary masterpieces, and speaking of modern gems, the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centre is home of the National Opera House and the National Library. 

 

In Thessaloniki, you will find Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage all around you as well as iconic landmarks like the White Tower, now a museum, and just a short drive from Thessaloniki one can see the Royal Tombs of Vergina, containing the remains of Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great and the archaeological site of Philippi. 

 

Traveling around Greece, visit Delphi, Epidaurus, Messene, and Olympia and we follow the footsteps of Aristotle in Halkidiki, Palamidi Castle, and the legacies of the Venetian in Nafplion, in the western Peloponnese.

 

Every island has its gems, the medieval Old Town and Temple of Lindos at Rhodes, the Asclepion of Kos, and the Temple of Demitra on Naxos and Spinalonga on the island of Crete. Don't forget to visit the Palace of Knossos at Heraklion and the Archaeological Museum containing wonders of the Minoan Civilization.

 

Likewise, you will see the mastic villages in Chios, and from Myconos to the island of Delos, the birthplace of the god Apollo.  The final stop of your culture tour of Greece os of the Greek villages whether you are on the coast or the mainland you will find villages with authenticity in Crete, Paxos, Chios, Naxos, Sifnos, Thassos, Karpathos and Samos. Please do visit Corfu, which has an exceptional culture!         

 

       

TWO RECIPES AND GREEK MOTHER'S DAY

HOME MADE BREAD

 

Recipe for six loaves, I keep one and freeze the rest:

 

150 ml (¼ pint) milk

2 tbsp sugar

7 g instant dry yeast

2 cups of plain flour

½ tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

2 tbsp olive oil plus more

150 ml (5 fluid oz) Greek yogurt

1 egg

 

Add the baking powder, yeast, sugar and salt to the flour and mix well together. Warm the milk, beat in the yogurt and egg and whisk in the olive oil.  Add to the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all are well amalgamated.  Place the dough on a floured work surface and knead until it becomes soft and silky.  Tip it into a large bowl, apply drops of olive oil on the surface with your hands.  Cover the bowl with cling film and a small blanket and put in a warm place until doubled in bulk. 1 to 1 ½ hours.

 

Meanwhile, heat the oven to 180 C (350 F) and shape the dough into loaves and place them on a tin brushed with olive oil and bake for 45 minutes until the loaves are puffed and crisp.  Remove from the oven and serve warm, sliced, spread with butter and a cheese of your  choice  “ bon appetit!”

 

 

          VEGETABLES WITH BECHAMEL SAUCE

 

 

For the bechamel sauce:

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp plain flour

1 bay leaf

2 cups of milk

1/8 tsp grated nutmeg

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ tsp sugar

Chopped parsley, oregano and chives

1 cup grated mild cheese

 

BAKED VEGETABLES:

½ cup mushrooms, sliced and blanched

½ cup carrots, diced and blanched

½ cup broccoli, thinly sliced and blanched

½ cup green peas, blanched

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

120 gr mild tasting grated cheese.

 

For the sauce:

Sauté the flour and bay leaf in butter until it slightly changes colour. Lower the heat and gradually add the milk, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.  Keep on stirring until the sauce thickens. Add nutmeg, pepper, salt and sugar.  finally add the cheese and stir until it melts and set aside for later and discard the bay leaf.

 

Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) and sauté the vegetables in olive oil and season with salt, pepper and the herbs (parsley, oregano and chives) for 3-4 minutes.  Add the bechamel sauce and mix well together and bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown.  Serve the baked vegetables with Bechamel sauce with garlic bread.    

 

 

   

Today is Greek Mother’s day, ladies have a happy day with all the family!

 

 

GREECE HAS BECOME A VERY EXPENSIVE COUNTRY

 Greece has become extremely expensive due to the war in Ukraine.  Everyday items like olive oil, bread, and cheese have gone up by 15% as luxury items they are out of touch for most of us. 

INVITATION

 I wish to thank my beloved daughter-in-law Elpida and my son Yiannis for taking Joy, Panayiotis, and me to the restaurant Mythos in Kefalari, Kifissia, where we were offered fabulous salads and barbequed meat that we all thoroughly enjoyed,. 

 

UKRAINIAN WAR

 The US accuses Russia of depravity and brutality.  The US defense department has accused Russian president, Vladimir Putin, of acting with depravity during his invasion of Ukraine.

Spokesman, John Kirby, became visibly emotional as he asked if anyone moral could justify the atrocities committed by Russia.  

But Russia's ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, has rejected the accusations.  He described Mr Kirby's comments as "offensive and unacceptable".   

1st of May

 TODAY IS THE 1^ST OF MAY AND I WILL VISIT THE KIFISSIA FLOWER SHOW TO BUY A MAY WREATH

 May wreaths are prepared with flexible dogwood branches and beautiful, multicoloured flowers.