When it comes to life and to cooking, I strive to keep it simple. I enjoy cooking most when I do not complicate it. For me, it’s about good, quality ingredients – that goes for cooking and for life! 

I love cooking for others. I love to entertain (I can’t wait to be able to do that again!), to teach cooking classes, and to provide catering. People often tell me they cannot believe the few ingredients used to create the amazing flavors. It is about choosing the right ingredients. Yes, it may take some extra effort up-front but trust me, it makes the cooking simpler and the result so much more rewarding. 

I like to taste product from different sources. A tomato from California could have an entirely different flavor than one from Florida, and both different than the flavor from the one grown down the street from a local friend. The same is true for packaged and canned ingredients. For example, for making domaldes, stuffed grape leaves, I have tried a variety of tomatoes, but my favorite is Roma. I have found they have less water content and are smooth and mild in flavor. When I make Greek salad, I enjoy using fresh Heirlooms or a bright red Beefsteak tomato. They are juicy, bold in flavor, and have an inviting rich, deep color. In the end, it’s just a tomato. But choosing the right one can make all the difference.

Alright, how about I share a secret. It’s not really a secret – I love what I do, and the best part about it as sharing what I have learned along the way. 

My simple Greek seasoning is a go-to for a lot of dishes I make. You can easily kick up the flavor of pork, chicken, veggies, or starches with this simple combination. 

Seasoning Mix

• Oregano – Tip, invest in the good stuff, like Mediterranean Oregano. Did you know Oregano is a natural antibiotic!?
• Salt – I like sea salt, it has a great zing to it.
• Pepper – I like restaurant-style, coarse grind, so I can see it!
• Granulated Garlic – Be generous if you are a garlic lover like I am. 
• Lemon Juice Powder – This can be difficult to find, so it is okay if you do not use it in your mix, just add fresh lemon juice when you create your dish! 

These ingredients make an amazing dressing for a Greek salad. Use extra virgin, fragrant olive oil (another simple ingredient that is worth it!). Use the good stuff in salads, not in cooking – you’re wasting it. For cooking, I like to use olive oil or promace oil without additives. I use olive oil for just about everything in cooking, what can I say, I’m Greek! 

For a simple salad dressing – the seasoning mix, olive oil, and an acid like lemon juice or balsamic vinegar. Use a 3:1 ratio of oil to acid. Don’t worry, full blog posts dedicated to just the Greek salad are to come!