GREEK The National Herald a b NOVEMBER 19, 2011 www.thenationalherald.com 2 GREEK FOOD & WINE THE NATIONAL HERALD, NOVEMBER 19, 2011 The National Herald Cucina Nicolina’s Hearty, Healthy Thanksgiving A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC. By Angelike Contis starting-off (ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), TNH Staff Writer reporting the news and address- ing the issues of paramount “Go to the farmers market!” Sweet Potato Mash interest to the Greek American That was first piece of advice With Sesame Oil And community food writer Nicole Spiridakis of the United States of America. gave TNH when asked about Toasted Walnuts Publisher-Editor how to make Thanksgiving din- Antonis H. Diamataris ner healthier. California-based This is in no way a substitute Spiridakis, whose writing on for the traditional Thanksgiving Assistant to Publisher, Advertising food can be found at her sweet potato casserole, but it's Veta H. Diamataris www.cucinanicolina.com and one of my favorite ways to eat Papadopoulos on NPR’s Kitchen Window, says sweet potatoes any time of the Special Section Editor good produce is the starting year. The sesame oil adds a rich, Angelike Contis point. nutty undertone to the sweet- Production Manager “I live in the Bay Area, and ness that's echoed by the toasted Chrysoula Karametros we are blessed (and spoiyled) b nuts sprinkled on top. You may an abundance of produce year- use more or less sesame oil to 37-10 30th Street, round,” she said, communicat- your taste. LIC, NY 11101-2614 ing via email. Spiridakis, who Tel: (718)784-5255, is known for her vegetarian and Makes 6 servings Fax: (718)472-0510, e-mail: vegan recipes as well as a fledg- • 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled [email protected] ling cake business, said she is and cubed on the lookout this time of year • 1/4 cup vegetable broth, soy Subscriptions by mail: 1 year $66.00, for seasonal items like greens, milk or milk 6 months $33.00, 3 months $22.00, 1 month $11.00 turnips, fall and winter squash • 1/4 cup sesame oil Home delivery NY, NJ, CT: and late-season apples. • 1 tablespoon heavy cream 1 year $88.00, 6 months $48.00, The blogger is on an apple • Sea salt to taste 3 months $33.00, 1 month $14.00 kick: “I've especially been using her Thanksgiving advice. Even few more tips: “To keep things lenta swirled with sun dried • 1/3 cup walnut pieces, pecans Home delivery New England States, apples (and pears) lately for the humble supermarket pro- on the lighter side, consider cut- tomato pesto.” or sliced almonds, toasted un- Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland: sau ce -- I grew up in an apple duce section can give chefs ting down on the fat; a little After years of baking for fam- til lightly browned, about 5 1 year $109.00, 6 months $57.00, 3 months $41.00, 1 month $18.00 town, after all -- and baking ideas. Spiridakis said: “Check goes a long way, and while but- ily and friends, Spiridakis has minutes On line subscription: Subscribers (tarte tatins, a sort of upside- out new-to-you vegetables, or ter is delicious, less is often also recently launched a cake Place the sweet potatoes in a to the print edition: 1 year $34.95, down open-faced pie, is a fa- consider switching up some old more. Try baking an apple pie business too. She’s particularly large pot, filling the pot with 6 months $23.95, 3 months $14.95; Non subscribers: 1 year $45.95, vorite; galettes, gingery cakes).” favorites (try shredding and with a vegetable-oil crust or proud of her wedding cakes. water to cover the potatoes by 6 months $29.95, 3 months $18.95 The newlywed writer added sauteeing brussel sprouts with pan-frying green beans with She wrote: “Wedding cakes in- about an inch. Bring to a boil, she’s also working on her hus- olive oil, lemon zest, and pop- shallots rather than a heavy, volve no small amount of work then reduce to a simmer until band's “sad unappreciation for pyseeds rather than roasting or creamy casserole. Rely on the as well as a healthy dose of faith the potatoes are tende r, 15 to squash,” with a tempting squash boiling) to keep things interest- good flavors fresh vegetables that all will turn out well (al- 20 minutes. When sweet pota- soup, for one. ing.” impart and you won't need to though I suppose every baking toes are tender, drain and place Broadening one’s veggie When it comes to the add a lot of fat.” endeavour involves this emotion in a bowl. With a potato masher, horizons is a recurring theme in Thanksgiving feast, she gave a A nutritious Greek side dish, to some extent).” A few weeks mash the potatoes until they are her mother’s spanakopita, is of- ago she made her own five- fairly smooth but still chunky. ten on her table. But since this tiered wedding cake. Lots of Add broth, soy milk or milk and year her parents will be cele- TLC went into it, including “two stir well. Add the sesame oil a brating the feast with her half-days of baking, and a solid tablespoon at a time, tasting for brother in Maine, Spiridakis four hours of filling and frost- flavor and consistency (you may improvise. “I'm considering ing.” However, she added: “It want them silky, but not turning my vegetarian main didn't feel like 'work' really be- pureed). Add more or less oil dish into a riff on spanikopita, cause I enjoyed doing it.” She depending on your taste, stir- or at least will use phyllo dough adds: “Unfortunately the night ring well to combine all of the as a main component.” She of the wedding, I only tasted a ingredients. Stir in the heavy planned for a few more veggie bite, but we saved the top tier cream. Salt to taste. dishes. “I'll also make sweet for later consumption and it was Before serving, sprinkle the potato biscuits to go along with just as good.” Providing her toasted nuts across the top of roasted cauliflower soup, as well guests with extra slices was her the sweet potatoes. as an enormous green, fennel- main intention – and she was laced salad - I love salad on the delighted they loved it. Thanksgiving table, and use raw The food blogger shares two Maple-Apple Pie With vegetables as an antidote to recipes below that she published Brown Sugar Crust counter some of the more heavy, for NPR/Kitchen Window last traditional dishes. I'll probably year. For more Thanksgiving I've long been a fan of the also include a delicious, easy tips, visit: olive oil crust and use it when- butternut squash puree infused http://www.cucinanicolina.c ever I bake pies. Here, maple with maple syrup rather than om/vegetarian-thanksgiving- syrup-sweetened apple slices are mashed sweet potatoes.” main-dishes the perfect finish to any holiday Some more of the Cucinani- http://www.cucinanicolina.c meal. They taste completely of colina.com writer’s ideas include om/vegetarian-thanksgiving- fall, and bring the outside in. “acorn squash, roasted in the vegetables-etc oven and then filled with wild http://www.cucinanicolina.c rice and dried cranberries or po- om/vegetarian-thanksgiving- Continued on page 4 OLIVE OIL YGEIA EXTRA VIRGIN GREEK OLIVE OIL IS BY FAR "A PREMIUM DELIGHT!" This exceptional EXTRA VIRGIN GREEK OLIVE OIL is spec- Testimonials tacular in dressings, marinades, sauces and is sure to add the finest of flavors to all of your cooking creations. 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She re- like it’s my new mission in life.” calls, “They went in a snap!” After she found that whole- In Greek Revival, Moore- Greek Revival includes lots some recipes like feta saganaki Pastides shares her own stories of recipes for the Thanksgiving and spinach pie triangles were of being introduced, seduced feast, from Roasted Carrots with popular with kids in a summer and then hooked for life by Rosemary and Sage to Wild cooking class where she was a Greek cuisine – starting with the Greens and Cabbage Salad guest cook, Patricia Moore- lessons from her Astoria-based, (Hortosalata).