PASTITSADA FROM CORFU

 500 g (1 lb) thick macaroni, boiled in salted water, drained and drizzled  with olive oil

1 onion, peeled and grated

2 garlic cloves peeled and minced

2 tbsp olive oil, divided

1 chicken, skinned, boned and quartered

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp paprika

A  pinch of Cayenne pepper

1 tsp of ground cinnamon 

1 tbsp of vinegar mixed with 1 tbsp sugar

1 bottle  red wine 

Grated Parmesan 

Sauté the onion and garlic until they become transparent. add the chicken, season to taste and sprinkle with paprika, Cayenne and cinnamon, Pour in the wine and vinegar  and sugar  mixture and  cook until the chicken is tender. Remove the chicken and add the macaroni and simmer until tender. Mix all the ingredients together and serve sprinkled with grated cheese.       

RECIPE FOR SPAGHETTI WITH CLAMS

1 onion, peeled and grated 

2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

3 tbsp olive oil divided

500 g (1 lb) spaghetti boiled in salted water, drained and drizzled with a little olive oil 

500 g (1lb) clams, thoroughly scrubbed 

Water

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp cream 

Sauté the onion and garlic with some olive oil until thoroughly cooked. Add the clams after discarding the shells and simmer gently after adding a  little water.  Season to taste and add  the spaghetti and mix  everything well together and pour over the cream       

THE FIRST UNDERWATER MUSEUM OFGREECE

 Greece has opened its first underwater museum off the coast of Alonissos, called the "Parthenon" of shipwrecks.       

The ancient shipwreck of  "Peristera" off the Greek island of Alonissos is the Parthenon of shipwrecks  opened to divers who are able to visit the  famous shipwreck of amphorae from the 5th century BC.

Due to looting concerns, the undersea antiquities were previously accessible only to archaeologists and those with special permission.

Now recreational divers can plunge unto the waters at a depth of  80 feet and encounter the  so-called Peristera named after the neighbouring uninhabited islet. It is like traveling in a time machine.               

SPINACH AND MUSHROOM BAKE

   4 190 g (6 oz) bags of baby spinach

2tbsp butter, divided

240 g (8 oz) white mushrooms chopped

1 onion, peeled and grated  

2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

3 tbsp plain flour

500 ml (2 cups) milk

Salt and pepper to taste

1/8 tsp grated nutmeg

1 cup grated Gruyere

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) and bring some water to the boil. Add the spinach, a handful at a  allowing it to wilt before adding more. When all the spinach has wilted, drain in a colander and with a tablespoon press out as much water as possible.

In a saulted.  Then add the spinach and cook until thoroughly dry.

Cook the flour un mostof  the remaining butter, pour in the milk and simmer, stirring until the mixture bubbles and thickens  and season with salt. pepper and nutmeg. stir in the remaining ingredients and spoon into a Pyrex dish and bake for 35 minutes until thoroughly cooked and golden brown   .  .       

LATEST GREEK NEWS Fortunately the fires have stopped but Greece has very high temperatures which are dangerous for the old and babies.,

MY DEAR FRIEND, ZENA PATELY LOST A YOUNG COUSIN FROM CANCER

 My sincere condolences to all, especially to the bereaved parents  because there is nothing worse than a parent burying one of their precious children.  May she rest in peace     

OLDER HOLLIWOOD STARS STLL LIVING IN OUR DREAMS

 

Let’s be realistic time has strange way it works, we might want to blame the fast development in the world of technology.  But both films and television remind us of our favourite film actresses and actors at the peak of their career, while black and white silent films were enjoyed by audiences. 

Looking back to the golden age of Hollywood there are a number of things to be nostalgic about That time accommodated the actors of all times, who excelled in their art! Fabulous actors and handsome and  beautiful people, which are hard to  forget like Greta Garbo and Robert Fully whom we shall always remember,             

 

IN WORLD COURT - INDIAN JUDGE VOTES AGAIINST RUSSIA FOR INVADING UKAINE

The UN's top  court ordered  Russia to suspend its invasion of Ukraine saying: it was profoundly concerned by Moscow's use of force. The Russian Federation should immediately stop military operations that commenced on 24th February on the territory of Ukraine. 

Pending its final decision of the case, presiding judge Joan Donahue told the International Court of Justice:

"The court is extremely concerned about the use of force by the Russian Federation which raises very serious issues of International Law", Justice Donahue told a hearing at The Hague. 

Kyiv dragged Moscow to the UN's top court after Russia's attack on February 14th.

India's judge, Dalvar Bhandan, also voted against Russia.          

DAEDALUS AND ICARUS

 One of the ancient Greek myths was that of Daedalus and Icarus, faithfully recorded by the Roman poet Ovid in his Metamorphosis. 

According to the story, Daedalus a mythical inventor, created wings made of feathers and wax and wanted to escape from Crete where he and his son Icarus were kept prisoners by King Minos. 

Ignoring his father's warning Icarus flew to close to the sun, the wax melted and Icarus had a tragic death leaving his father constantly grieving for him.  

  

ASE ME NA FYGO SE PARAKALO

This is a beautiful Greek song with a fabulous melody:

  

"Ase me na figo se parakalo

Esto ke gia ligo, dos mou ton kairo 

Gia n'apofasiso ti zitas na vro 

Kai den boro 

Dos mou ton kairo ti zitas na vro

Eimai mia skia dipla se ena fos

ki'erhodai stigmes pou nomizo pos 

Oso ki'an s'agapo toso se miso, se miso

Ase me na figo se parakalo 

Egina skia sou ke s'akolouho

And a rough  translation

 "Let me go please, Even for a short period give me the time.so that I can decide what you want me to find. I am a shadow next to a bight light, and there moments when I think that as much as I love you so much I hate you, Please let me go because I have become your shadow and I follow you.    

KASTELLORIZO

 Kastellrizo is close to the Turkish coast just 2 km away, that you can taste the East the tiny islet is very pretty.

Sailing into the village of Kastellorizo the Castle built during the Middle Ages, the minaret and the pastel-coloured neoclassical houses huddled around the turquoise bay is soul enchanting. "Megisti" as Kastellorizo was once called (mianing "Great") is the largest of the islands in the area. 

 

         

 

 

ASE ME NA FYGO SE PARAKALO

This is a beautiful Greek song with a fabulous melody:

  

"Ase me na figo se parakalo

Esto ke gia ligo, dos mou ton kairo 

Gia n'apofasiso ti zitas na vro 

Kai den boro 

Dos mou ton kairo ti zitas na vro

Eimai mia skia dipla se ena fos

ki'erhodai stigmes pou nomizo pos 

Oso ki'an s'agapo toso se miso, se miso

Ase me na figo se parakalo 

Egina skia sou ke s'akolouho

And a rough  translation

 "Let me go please, Even for a short period give me the time.so that I can decide what you want me to find. I am a shadow next to a bight light, and there moments when I think that as much as I love you so much I hate you, Please let me go because I have become your shadow and I follow you."    

FIRE IN PENTELI

  Due to strong winds blowing in the area, a large fire is raging on the mountain of Panteli. 

The children from Daou Pendeli hospital have been evacuated to safety, at the Children's Hospital of "Aghia Sophia".  

Two houses have been burnt to ashes.  The Greek Fire Brigade helped by their Romanian comrades are trying to put out the fire but in vain because of the strong winds.

The President of the Greek Red Cross is presently trying to evacuate people to safety.

More firefighters helped by the police and army helicopters and aircraft are trying to extinguish the fire before dawn.   

They also tried to help, yesterday, but the thick smoke prevented them from seeing their target.

The residents of three more settlements of Pendeli were told to evacuate. 

The Emergency 112 Alert was issued to residents of Anthousa, advising them to move towards Gerakan, Dioni. Damari and Palini. ,    

 

CRACKED BISCUITS

 200 g dark chocolate, Ygeias Pavloidou, finely chopped

50 g butter

2  eggs

70 g brown sugar

1vanilla

100 g self-rising flour

1 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt 

100 g sugar

100 g icing sugar

Melt the chocolate and the butter, over low heat, mix well and set aside.

Mix the flour with the baking powder snd salt and set aside

Whip the eggs with the brown sugar and the vanilla and stir in the chocolate and flour mixtures until no white streaks are evident. 

Place the mixture in a bowl, cover with cling film and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, shape small cherry-sized balls and roll them first in sugar and then in icing sugar 

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180 C (250 F) and bake for 12 minutes until the biscuits swell and crack. 

Cool the biscuits and place them in a box and refrigerate    

THE UNITED KINGDOM

 The Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland is a countrynbof North-Western Europe.

The United Kingdom is an island country locateed off the North-Western coast of mainland Europe. The United Kingdom comprises of the whole island of Great Britain which contains England, Wales and Scotland. as well as the nothern porion of the island of Ireland.


The name Britain is used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole. The capital is London, which is among the wor;d's leading commercial, financial, and cultural cetenrs. Other major cities are Bermingham, Liverpool and Manchester in England, Belfast and Londonderry in Nothern Ireland and Edinburg and Glasgow in Scotland and Swansea and Cardiff in Wales.


The origin of the Unitee Kingdom can be traced to the time of Anglo-Saxon King Athelstan, who in the early 10th century gained the allegence of neighbouring Celtic Kingdoms and because the "first to rule what previously many Kings shared between them" in the words of a contemporary chronicle. Though subsequent conquests over he following cnturies, Kingdoms lying further afield came under English dominion.


Wales is a congress of Celtic Kingdoms lying ingreat Britain's south west was formally united with England by the Acts of Union in 1536 and 1542. Scotland ruled from London since 1603 formaly was joined with England and Wales in 1707 to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain.


Ireland came English control during 1600s and was formally united with Great Britain through the Union of 1800,


The Republic of Ireland gained its independence in 1922. but sx of Ulster's nine counties remaind as part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland.

WHEN TO VISIT GREECE

 In spring and early summer are the best times to visit Greece, where you can see more wildflowers than you could imagine and could swim in the refreshing sea.  

At that time of the year, you will avoid summer's high season with its inflated prices, hordes of tourists, and high temperatures.  August is to be avoided in Athens but it is the best time to visit the Ionian and Aegean Islands because the soft breeze (meltemi and avra) make life pleasant and one can swim in the sea and enjoy the beauty of these fabulous islands. 

During Easter Week, nearly every hotel room is booked but if you have a house or rent one it will be an exceptional experience.  Many sites and Museums are closed on Good Friday But Easter in Greece is wonderful. With church services on the eve of Easter Sunday, the church bells ring all over Greece and priests come out with candles lit with the holy light and offer it to the congregations. and then they go home to crack red hardboiled eggs and enjoy a delightful margheritsa (Greek Easter Soup) and each other's company.

On Easter Day we roast lamb and potatoes and enjoy a lovely chocolate dessert.

We Greeks keep the holy light until Easter Monday and enjoy visiting our families and friends. 

So do visit Greece all the year round because we have lovely Christmas, Easter and "Decapendavgousto" (15th of August) traditions, which must be kept.                 

SAD NEWS

 The very latest tragic news is that, unfortunately, all eight passengers and crew of the Antonoff aircraft have been killed.

All Greeks send their sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and may they always remember them with love and respect. 

As this tragic event happened near the Greek city of Kavala, Greece is responsible to envestigate reasons  of this very sad incident 

AN AICRAFT CRASHES IN FLAMES OUTSIDE KAVALA

     An aircraft with 8 people and explosives on board coming from Serbia and going to Jordan crashed in a field outside Kavala. The pilot asked to land at the airport of Kavala but unfortunately, the Antonoff aircraft crashed in flames.

The Greek Fire Brigade rushed to the area in order to extinguish the fire and First Aid vehicles are present to save possible survivors.

We hope that all 8 passengers and crew are safe and sound.  

         

HOW THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS SUPPORTED UKRAINE

 Even before Ukraine came under attack from Russia, in February 2022, the EU was keen to support Kyiv and forge closer links.

Background:

Since withdrawing from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine has been keen to pursue its own path including forging closer links with the rest of Europe.

Russia:

Ukraine's relations with Russia have been tense due to the political determination to keep the country in its sphere of influence.  In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea in violation of international law and was strongly condemned by the EU.  It has also been waging a high-tech war against Ukraine including economic pressure and disinformation attacks. 

In a resolution adopted in December 2021 MEPs called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, and said the aggression by Moscow just came at a high and political price. Parliament. has already exposed its grave concern about the large Russian military buildup at the borders with Ukraine, the illegally occupied Crimea in a resolution adopted in April 2021. 

Members of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee and Security went on a fact-finding mission to Ukraine from the 30th of January to the 1st of February 2022. 

MEP called for a united response and voiced support for Ukraine in a debate on EU-Russian relations, European security and Russian military threat against Ukraine on the 11th February 2022.

On the 22nd of February, leading MEPs strongly condemned Russian President, Vladimir Putin's recognition of the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk and Oblast of Ukraine as independent entities.  Two days later, on the 24th of February Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine.   

The European Union responded with a series of sanctions against Russi as an initiative to support Ukraine. 

The European Parliament and the EU have supported Ukraine since the start of tne Russian  invasion on Ukraine,                   

US HOUSE BACKS MEASURE THAT WOULD RESTICT SALES OF WEAPONS TO TURKEY

 The US House of Representatives. on Thursday, approved legislation that would create a new hurdle for President Joe Biden's plan to sell F-16 fighters to Turkey.  

The House approved the measure offered by Democratic Representatives Frank Pallone and Chris Pappas, as an amendment to the annual National Authorisation Act 244 to 179

It is the latest effort by members of Congress to exert control over the sale of the Lockheed Martin aircraft to Turkey.

The amendment would bar the USA to sell or transfer the jets to Turkey unless the administration certifies that doing so, is essential to US national security and included a description of concrete steps taken to ensure they are not used for repeated, unauthorized overflights over Greece.  

Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee also opposes the sale of weapons to Turkey,   

Turkish Pr3sident Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian grip on power  and eroding freedoms for journalists, advocates, and rights defenders also prompt many in Washington to refuse to sell weapons to Turkey,   

HELICOPTER CRASHES OFF SAMOS

 Rescue crews found three people whose helicopter crashed in the sea off the island of Samos, as they battled a wildfire.  A fourth person is still missing.

Two of the passengers were taken to a hospital and were unconscious according to AMNA,  The pilot was from Romania and he was also taken to the same hospital.

In addition to the pilot, the helicopter was said to be carrying two Moldovian operators and a Greek liaison translator.     

Unfortunately, a Romanian national and a Greek liaison translator died in the crash, while a Moldovian national survived according to Reuters. 

Nine vessels, five from the Greek Coast Guard, two from the army and two private as well as a helicopter took part in the rescue operation. 

PASTA FROLLA JAM TART

 3 cups plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup sugar

1 egg

250 g cold butter, cubed

Pinch of salt

1 jar of apricot jam 

Mix the flour, sugar, sslt, and baking powder in a bowl until well combined. Add the egg and butter and pulse until a soft pliable dough is formed,  Cover and refrigerate for 1/2 an hour.

Roll out the dough and with 3/4 of the dough line a round Pyrex dish, spread with jam and shape rolls with the remaining dough and place them over the jam in a criss-cross pattern Bake for 30 minutes in an oven preheated to 180 C (350 F) until the dough turns golden and the jam bubbles.

Remove from the oven, cool, and serve sliced in wedges.      

    

WHAT IS TURKEY UP TO?

 This summer for the first time in many years, the omens concerning Greek- Turkish relations are very gloomy, There are many objective reasons why Turkey causing heated incidents is not the most likely scenario, however, the accumulation of largely unwarranted Turkish anger mixed with president Erdogan'sarrogant insecurity is causing justified concern and alarm.

So long as the situation in Ukraine remains tense, it is key for NATO to maintain its cohesion.  

The unity of the transatlantic Alliance is challenged by Turkey's reaction to the potential membership of Sweden and Finland but at the same time, this opposition shows maps that half of the Aegean and the islands of Samos, Chios, the Dodecanese, and  Crete are Turkish.  

We strongly hope that in Turkey in 2023, which is an election year, Erdogan will be defeated and a more philo-Greek president will be elected in his place.    

SMARAGDA KARYDI

 

Smaragda Kaydis is a beautiful and talented Greek actress. She was born in Athens on the 9th August 1969, She is rather tall for a greek girl 5' 11''. She graduated from the Drama School of the Greek National Theatre.

She has worked as an actress on Greek television in primary and secondary roles and in series. From 2005 until 2007 she had one of the main roles in the popular TV series "Sto Para Pente",

She has also starred in the films "Thiliki Etairia" written by Nikos Perakis, in 1999. and "O Kalyteros mou Filos", written by Lakis Lazopoulos and the cinema adaptation of the theatrical play "Mia Melissa ton Avgouisto" written by Theodoros Atheridis in 2007.

Smaragda is the daughter of Dinos Karydis and Tzoulia Argyropoulos. She later starred with her father in "Fila ton Vatraho mou" (Frog or not).

She is married to Theodoros Ateridis but thewy have no children,

RUSSIA FALLS A VICTIM TO THE FIRST DEFAULT IN HISTORY

 .   When you were once a child at school you probably asked a schoolmate to lend you a pencil or pen it also happened that you became annoyed with the child who didn't lend them to you.

It seems absurd but the same happens between states not just between school children.  Indeed there has been talking about Russia's technical default for days. Because of gas and oil revenues, Russia has enough money to pay the holders of its bonds, but being under EU and USA sanctions it is sometimes unable to do so for months. 

We are extremely happy that Russia is in this very difficult situation because it shouldn't have invaded Ukraine, bombing and killing so many Ukrainians due to greed and racial discrimination,     

STIN YGIA SAS VRE PETHIA

 I was delighted to watch the old Greek musical show, this evening, STIN YGIA SAS VRE PETHIA, presented by actor Spyros Papadopoulos in honor of the famous composer Christos Vassolopoulos on SKAI TV Greece.  I sincerely hope that the show will continue for many years to come.   

     

CEPHALONIAN MEAT PIE

  5 tbsp olive oil

750 g (1 1/2 lb) meat, trimmed and cubed

1 onion, peeled and finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1/2 cup medium-grain rice

3 tomatoes, halved, deseeded, grated, skins discarded

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp grated nutmeg 

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup fresh parsley 

Grated cheese 

1 large egg

Phyllo pastry

Heat 3 tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan and saute the meat. Remove from the heat, cool a little, and shred by hand.  Add some olive oil and cook the onion over medium heat until translucent about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and the rice and stir fry for 1-2 minutes.  Add the grated tomato, cinnamon and nutmeg and stir well together.    Lower the heat and cook until the liquid evaporates about 10 minutes. Remove from the saucepan season to taste.   Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F)  

In a large bowl combine the meat mixture, with the egg, cheese salt, pepper and parsley. Oil a large rectangular baking pan that is 3 inches deep. (80 cm) 

Layer 7 sheets of phyllo pastry on the bottom of the pan (each phyllo brushed with olive oil) add the filling, layer the remaing pjyllo, brushed with olive oil, and bake for 50 minutes until thoroughly cooked and golden brown  

     

5 PLUS 1 REASONS WHY 2022 WILL BE A TENSE YEAR FOR GREEK TURKISH RELATIONS

 5 PLUS 1  REASONS WHY 2022 WILL BE A TENSE YEAR FOR GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

 

 

The last few days heralded a difficult year for Greek-Turkish relations as the Turkish economy in turmoil with no possible way out, president Erdogan will be hard pressed to restore his severely tarnished image by engaging  in political manoeuvring in Turkey. .

Turkey is hardening its position against Greece and Cyprus.

Turkish diplomacy proceeded its “negotiating curriculum” with Greece. Erdogan insists that the Greek government demilitarises the islands of Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Limnos and Samothrace.

The Greek answer is that the Turkish intensions are on an unprecedented distortion of the Treaty of Lausanne.  This tactic of shifting to extreme positions which consciously undermines the prospect of meaningful dialogue has been adopted by Ankara in the Greek  and Cypriot issues.

2023 is an election year for Greece, Cyprus and Turkey.  This situation will render difficult over the course of 2022, which is pre-election year thgreee possibility of moderate movements on political-diplomatic chessboard.

The responsibility lies with the Turkish side. It is confirmed by the hardening pf of positions with aircraft and drones constantly overflying over the Greek islands and with fierce rhetoric directed against the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias and even the President of the Greek Republic, Katerina Sakelaropoulou.            

 

 

 

 

 

BORIS JOHNSON RESIGNS

  Boris Johnson resigns as British Prime Minister after Conservative MPs mass resignation.  

Boris Johnson said on Thursday, that he was resigning as British Prime Minister, bowing to the calls from ministerial colleagues and lawmakers in the Conservative Party.  

Johnson said  "It is the will of the Conservative Party, that there should be a new leader of the Party, therefore, a new Prime Minister and I have agreed with Sir Graham Brady, chairman of our backbench MPs that the process of choosing a new leader should begin now and the timetable will be announced next week.  I have today appointed a cabinet to serve, as I shall, until the new leader is in place,"                .

     

    The European Parliament wants more support for Ukraine and tougher sanctions against Russia following its invasion of the country.

During an extraordinary session in Brussels, to discuss the EU's response to Russia's attack on Ukraine.  Parliament president Roberta Metsola said: "We are here today, in the dark shadow cast by Putin's war. A war we did not provoke, a war we did not start. An outrageous invasion of a sovereign independent state.  On behalf of the European Parliament and condemn Russia's military aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and express my solidarity with all these suffering and killed." 

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky,  addressed the Parliament live from Kyiv. He spoke about the losses sustained by the Ukrainians defending their country and also thanked the EU for their support.

"We are fighting for our rights, our freedom, our lives and currently for our survival We are fighting to be equal members of Europe, so now prove that you are with us."

In a resolution adopted by an overwhelming majority of members strongly condemned Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and called for stronger sanctions against Russia. They also called the EU countries to provide Ukraine with defensive weapons more quickly.

Targeted sanctions against people responsible for high-level corruption in Russia and Belarus, as long as the end comes for the "golden visas"for rich Russians      

   

MEPs also urged EU to give Ukraine candidate status.             

     

THIINGS ===THINGS YOU DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE ANCIENT GREEKS

 You may know the basics about Socrates, Pericles, theatre and sciences.  Your knowledge may go a  step further and include myths and ancient gods and heroes. But how much do you know about the ancient Greeks' everyday life?

Here is a list of interesting facts you probably didn't know about the great civilization of the past:

1. Ancient Greeks used to add water to their wine because it was considered hubris for mortals to get drunk, only barbarians would do that.

2, There was only one mother for all ancient Greek monsters such as Echidna who was half woman and half serpent. 

3. Ancient Greeks could have been partially colorblind.

4. Ancient Greeks counted time in two ways chronos and kairos.

5. Ancient Greek men used their hair to declare their status quo. A beard was a symbol of prestige for a man. Their grooming was of most importance but also a subject of competition between men. Spartans punished cowards by shaving their beards. 

6 Ancient Greek women admired themselves much like today, They dyed their hair blonde and added curls using a hot iron.  They plucked their eyebrows with tweezers, painted their faces white with lead carbonate, and accentuated their features, particularly their eyes using mineral and plant dyes,

7. Ancient Greeks were very wise but also very superstitious Some days of each month were considered ominous so they would avoid important tasks such as sowing and marriage so that would not anger the gods.      

A VISIT TO GREECE

 

A visit to Greece can be very rewarding because there are so many things to do. Whether you are interested in touring the headline attractions, exploring fascinating cities, island hopping, or just loafing on the beautiful beach you will find many things to do in the beautiful and ancient country. One can visit the Acropolis, climbing Mount Lycabettus, exploring Anafiotika at Plaka, shopping at Monastiraki, strolling Archaeological Museum traveling back in time. See the Acropolis by Night, watch the Greek goldsmiths, visit Apollos' Oracle at Delphi, look at Helen of Troy's ghost at Agamemnon's Palace at Mycenae and finally visit Olympia where the ancient Olympic Games started.

APRICOT CHUTNEY

  This is a recipe for a delicious, spicy chutney-

One 850 g(1 lb 11 2/3 oz) tin of apricots in their juice

1/2 kg (1 lb) sugar 

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and roughly chopped 

45 g (1 1/2 11/2 oz) fresh ginger, roughly chopped

1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper

180 ml (1 2/5 fl oz) vinegar

1/4 -1/2 tsp, salt

Boil the apricots and their juices and the sugar, stirring until the sugar melts.  Meanwhile, process the garlic, ginger, Cayenne pepper and a little vinegar until smooth.  When the apricot mixture thickens, add the processed ingredients and boil another 10 minutes and then add the remaining vinegar and the salt.  Simmer until it reaches the consistencey of jam  about 1 - 2 hours Pour the hot chutney into sterilized jars an cover with pieces of grase proof paaper and seal the lids.  

EUDEMUS OF RHODES

 Eudemus of Rhodes was an ancient Greek philosopher who lived from 370 until 300 BC, and he was the first historian of science. 

He was one of Aristotle's most important pupils, editing his teacher's works and making them more easily accessible. 

Eudemus was born on the island of Rhodes but spent a large part of his life in Athens, where he studied the philosophy of Aristotle's Peripatetic School,  Eudamus's collaboration with Aristotle was long-lasting and close and he was generally considered one of Aristotle's most brilliant pupils,

Eudemus also wrote many books on philosophy, philosophical geometry and mathematics and had many followers. 

   

   

STRONG WINDS ARE BLOWING IN GREEE

 Strong winds are blowing all over Greece, and due to the dry conditions in all of the country, fires have broken up in the region of Ilia where three villages had to be evacuated,  We wish to express our admiration for the brave men of the Greek Fire Brigade who risk their lives trying to  save the lives of their compatriots!

Today is the 4th of July, the American National Day.  I wish to wish our American friends to enjoy their national day with their families and friends!   

RENNE'S TARTLETS

  My beloved mother, Renee, was a wonderful, imaginative cook,  here is a recipe for delicious sable biscuits she used to prepare so many years ago.  

130 g (11 oz) plain flour, sifted with

1 tsp baking powder  and 

1 pinch of salt

"a fistful of sugar"

165 g butter

1 medium-sized egg

6 tbsp milk

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add all the other ingredients except the jam.  Knead gently to obtain a pliable dough, cover with cling-film and let it rest for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. 

Roll out the dough and cut it into rounds with a liqueur glass. On half of the rounds cut small holes with a thimble (!)  Bake in a moderate oven preheated to 180 C (350 F) for about 10 - 12 minutes. 

When the biscuits are cold, spread a little jam (apricot or raspberry) on the whole biscuits.  Sprinkle the rounds with the hole in the middle with icing sugar and sandwich them carefully together.

   

THE US STATE DEPARMENT REACTS TO TURKEY'S STATEMENT ABOUT GREECE

 

On Friday, the US State Department delivered a clear message in response to the latest comments the Turkish leadership made about the Aegean islands.

 

Speaking during the Efes 2022 military exercise held on the Aegean coast, near Smyrna, the Turkish president waned Greece to stop arming the Aegean islands and threatened that Turkey would not hesitate to use its powers “stemming from international agreements. Greece is violating treaties by arming islands in the Aegean”, Foreign Minister Mevlet Cavrasoglu also said, warning that the sovereignty of those islands will be questioned if Greece fails to demilitarise them.”

 

Hence, the US State Department spokesman’s announcement asserted that the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and protected.  Turkey must stop being aggressive and that Greece’s sovereignty is definitely not in doubt, “ the US State Department said firmly.         

 

 

 

CREPES FILLED WITH SPINACH

 This recipe, given below is an easy way to make children eat spinach,  

Crepes:

175 g (1 cup + 1tbs) plain flour

3 eggs, beaten

300 ml (1 14 cup) milk

150 ml; (1/4 cup) water

1 tbsp melted butter

2 tbsp brandy or dry vermouth 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Butter or olive oil to fry the crepes

Bechamel sauce:

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp plain flour

1 bay leaf

250 ml (1 cup) hot milk

1/4 tsp grated nutmeg

Salt and pepper to taste

Stuffing:

1 kg (2 lb) fresh spinach

2 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped

1 tbsp dill, chjopped

2 tsp butte

Béchamel sauce 

10 tbsp grated parmesan 

Nutmeg to taste

Salt and pepper to taste, be sparing with  the salt because or the Parmesan

250 ml - 500 ml (1 -2 cups) cream

Firstprepare the crepe batter.  Place the flourr in a bowl and add the eggs and mix well and then astir in the milk and water slowly. stirring well Stir in the brandy andmelted butter and season with salt and pepper. Place in the refrigerator for at least 1/2 an hour.

Make the bechamel.  Melt butter add the bay leaf and the flour and stir for2-3 minutes, over medium heast.  Add the milk in portions, stirring all the time until the sauce bubbles and thickens.  Add salt, pepper and nutmeg and discard the bay leaf.  

Meanwhile, prepare the stuffing.  Melt the butter in a sauceepan and add the spring onions and the sh]pinach and simmer over low heat , stirring from time to time , until the spinach is cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated.  Coola little  and chop finely. stir in the bechamel and the grated cheese (reserving 2 tbsp of grated cheese for further use)  Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and set aside.

Then make the crepes.  Spread each crepe with a little stuffing, roll  up and place in in a butteree baking dish.   Pour in the cream and sprinkle with the remainoing cheese Place the crepes in anoven preheasted tom180 C (350 F) and bake for about 15 minutes until  he cheese  melts. do not over cook.  

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THE WINGED VICTORY OF SAMOTHRACE

  The winged victory of Samothrace is one of the rare Greek statues whose exact origin is known.  It was made as an offering to the gods for as a sanctuary on the Greek island of Samothrace, placed on a height it could be seen from afar.

It is a masterpiece of Greek sculpture whose head and arms are missing and its based was in a shape of a ship's bow.  The total height, at the moment is 5.5 metes including the shape of the statue itself.  

The statue is one of small number of major Hellenistic statues surviving its original, rather than Roman copies. The Winged Victory has been exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris at the top of the staircase, since 1884.  

In 1808, Charles Champoiseau  acting in charge of the Consulate of France in Adrianopolis started the excavations in Samothrace where the statue was found.  He decided it was a funeral monument made of grey marble.   Departing from Samothrace it arrived in Paris in 1884. 

Today the Winged Victory of Samothrace remains one of the most celebrated sculptures on earth.  Since making its debut at the Louvre in the 19th century it has inspired countless of artists like surrealist Salvador Dali. directly appropriated the sculpture for his double Nike de Samothrace in 1973 and Purist Umberto Bocconi employed the figure's icon. 

In Greek mythology, the goddess Niki held a very important place in society. She was typically associated with speed, strength and victory.  .Due to this, soldiers and generals never went to battle without offering prayers to the goddess and ancient Greeks, from all walks of life, called upon her while facing a  struggle.  It is believed that she was actually a mediator between gods and men,  

Niki's father was Titan Pellas an her mother was Styx.  In the course of the Titantomachy Pellas died in battle and was handled by Athena the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare.  The mother of Niki was the nymph Styx was the daughter of  Oceanus and Thetis Styx is usually depicted by the river Styx that separates the dead from the living      .              

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