From Naples, Florida: Savor the Authentic with Old World Market

I saw this recipe in Bon Appetit Magazine. The original recipe was with chard but I had some baby spinach on hand and I used it as a substitute.  I love greens and this soup is so creamy and hearty. The cheese and the yogurt make it even better. Ingredients for the soup: 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 onion, coarsely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 lb spinach, chopped 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth 1 cup parsley, chopped 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves 1 tbsp. dried mint 1 tbsp.  fresh lemon juice salt and pepper to taste For the garnish: 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup mixed chopped parsley, cilantro and mint, divided 1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled salt and pepper to taste lemon juice (optional) Heat olive oil in the large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often until translucent and soft (don't brown) about 7-8 min. Stir in spinach, broth, parsley, cilantro, fresh and dried...

Baklava is easy to make and is so delightful, crunchy and sweet. No doubt it's one of the most popular desserts in the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions. I t's simple but fabulous recipe - l ayers of phyllo dough filled with honey and walnuts. In our family my grandmother used to make this traditional baklava on special occasions as Christmas and Easter. Traditional Baklava (makes 24 pieces) Ingredients: 1 pack phyllo dough (9" x 14"), thawed 1 pound walnuts, chopped 1 cup butter, melted 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup honey 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves Zest of 1 lemon In a medium bowl, combine walnuts, sugar, honey, cinnamon, cloves and lemon zest. Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 inch pan. Place sheets in the pan, butter thoroughly each sheet using a pastry brush . Repeat until you have 5-6 sheets layered. Spoon on a thin layer of the nut mixture. Cover with 2-3 more sheets of phyllo, brushi...

It's Cookie Season! These Mascarpone cheese cookies topped with your favorite jam are so soft and delicious. The cookie dough is easy to make and Mascarpone cheese adds richness and tenderness to the cookies. Ingredients (for about 3 dozen cookies): 1 stick unsalted butter, brought to room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 egg 1 tsp Vanilla extract 1/2 cup softened Mascarpone cheese 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt Jam of your choice Directions: Beat together the butter and sugar until light, then add the egg and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Add the Mascarpone cheese, and beat until smooth. Sift together the dry ingredients, and fold them into the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate 1 hour.   Preheat oven to 325 F. On a lightly floured counter or board, roll the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls. Using the end of a wooden spoon, create an indentation in the ...

Saganaki refers to various dishes prepared in Greek cuisine and is named after the single-serving frying pan in which it is cooked.  Saganaki is very easy to make but you will need good Greek hard cheese as Kefalograviera or Kasseri. For 4 servings: 8 slices of Kefalograviera or Kasseri cheese. Cut the cheese into strips 2" wide and 1/2" thick olive oil for frying flour to taste freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 lemons cut into wedges Place strips one by one under cold water, tap and coat lightly with flour, set aside until you have dredged all the strips. Pour enough olive oil to just coat the bottom of a large frying pan and heat until hot. Lay the slices of cheese side by side in the pan. Make sure the cheese slices don't touch each other. Fry the cheese, turn once until golden brown on both sides. The cheese will only need about 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove the fried cheese from the pan, place on a paper towel to drain th...

Dried figs are a healthy snack. They are low in fats and cholesterol and high in dietary fiber magnesium, calcium and other minerals. If you a have sweet tooth and you are craving chocolate try these Chocolate Covered Dried Figs. 10 dried figs 1/3 cup 80-90% dark chocolate red wine Put the figs in a bowl with red wine to cover, and let them soak, covered, overnight in the refrigerator. The next day drain them well and pat them dry.  Melt chocolate in double boiler until smooth.  Take the figs by their stems, dip them in the chocolate and set them on a wax paper. Let stand until the chocolate is set. Refrigerate for 20 min. and serve. Additional tips:   As an non-alcoholic option you can use orange juice instead of red wine. If you don't have double boiler you can use sauce pan with some water in and then put your chocolate into another sauce pan on top of the first one or use glass bowl inside the pan.  Also you c...

Steaming is one of the healthiest cooking methods that makes broccoli taste great as well as retaining the wonderful flavor.  This salad is light and easy to prepare. It is great to serve as a side dish. Ingredients (2 servings): 1 lb broccoli ( stems peeled & cut in 1/4-inch slices and remaining into florets) 1 cup Feta cheese 1/2 cup Kalamata olives For the dressing: 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 tsp Dijon mustard 2 garlic cloves, minced salt and pepper, to taste sunflower seeds (optional) Steam broccoli over 1 inch of boiling water about 5 minutes until broccoli are barely tender when pierced. Rinse with cold water, drain well. Whisk together lemon juice, mustard, garlic and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Combine broccoli, olives and half of the cheese in a medium bowl, toss in dressing, mix lightly.   Sprinkle with sunflower seeds and the rest of the cheese and serve immediate...

Kourtaki Muscat Samos, Greece "A bright yellow-amber colour turning to gold. A lovely bouquet of honey underpinned by plenty of lemon and orange scents met by good sturdy acidity around mid-palate." Our price: $ 15.99  Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Chile " Brilliant ruby red color. Medium-bodied with rich aromas of berries, clove and vanilla. On the palate, it delivers fine concentration with flavors of ripe black fruit and vanilla undertones." Our price: $ 6.99 Mad Housewife White Zinfandel 2008, California "One part pink and sweet with equal parts class and style. Fresh watermelon and strawberry balanced with a crisp finish in this sweet treat."   Our price: $ 4.99 Woollaston Riesling 2008, New Zealand  "Lime, citrus blossom and jasmine aromas abound on the nose. The same citrus and floral characters are evoked on the palate. Fresh acidity and a gentle minerality contribute...