Friday Menu: Megali Paraskevi

Happy Friday and Good Friday. (Megali Paraskevi)
So today is a very important day for all of us. Megali Paraskevi, (Good Friday), where Jesus was crucified on the cross. Very special weekend for all the Christians around the world. This is a day of mourning and a day to prepare the Epitafios, ( The Bier of Christ). The Bier of Christ is decorated with flowers and carried around the church.
I have attached a video from my friend Vangelis who I met in Skiathos. Check out this great video from Skopelos, Greece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvpHNVSGFfU
All day I have been cooking making Tsoureki, Koulourakia, and last night I made the red eggs. We bought a special red dye at a European market in Folsom, CA. I am sure everyone is either baking their cookies now, or will be tomorrow. Below I have attached a very yummy kolourakia recipe as promised. Enjoy!!
Koulourakia Recipe
I dedicate this recipe to my cousin Effie in Maryland. Kalo Pasxa cousin!!
~Koulourakia~
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 cups butter
- 6 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups (475 ml) sugar
- 6 tsp (30 ml) baking powder
- 1 tsp (5 ml), baking soda
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- juice of 1/2 orange
- 3 tsp of vanilla extract
- 7 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teasp of lemon zest/ orange zest
Preparation:
- Beat butter and sugar adding eggs one at a time.
- Beat until smooth and sugar has dissolved.
- Mix baking powder and baking soda with 2 cups of flour and blend.
- Add remaining ingredients – not all of the flour at once though, and then make sure your dough is soft, elastic and not sticking to your fingers.
- place the dough in a bowl covered for about 30 minutes.
- Take small pieces of dough (size of a nut) to form S-shaped or O-shaped koulourakia.
- Line pan with baking sheet and preheat your oven to 350 degrees f or at 175 c.
- Beat 1 egg yolk with 1 tsp water and brush over cookies.
- Bake at moderate heat until golden brown.
Learn Some Greek Easter Lingo:
Καλό Πάσχα (Kalo Pasha, have a good Easter)
Καλή Ανάσταση (Kali Anastasi, Anastasi= Resurrection)
ΧÏόνια Πολλά (Hronia polla)
ΧÏιστός AνÎστη, Αληθώς (Hristos Anesti, Alithos Anesti): When the priest announces the resurrection of Christ, people spread the word by saying “ΧÏιστός ΑνÎστη†(Hristos Anesti) which means “Christ has risenâ€. The other person must respond by “Αληθώς†(Alithos) which could be translated as “indeedâ€.
Friday Lent Recipes
Fasolatha: Bean Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried white beans
- 10 cups water
- 1 large onion
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 large can of tomato juice
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Salt & pepper
Directions:
- Soak the beans overnight. Drain and add the beans to a large pot filled with the 10 cups of water.
- Bring pot to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Add vegetables,tomatoes,tomato paste, bay leaf, and garlic.
- Simmer for 45 minutes until vegetables are cooked.
- Season soup with salt & pepper.
Horta ( Boiled Greens)
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds of any green of your choice.( I use swiss chard.)
- white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil, if you are not fasting from olive oil.
- 1 lemon juiced
- Salt & pepper
Directions:
- Clean and wash the greens very well.
- Soak them in a large bowl with water and vinegar.
- Drain the water, and place greens in a large pot, with salted water to cover.
- Bring to a boil, and cook for about 20 minutes.
- Drain in a colander, and place in a large bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings.
Lenten Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 6 tablespoons cocoa
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons vinegar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups cold water
Directions:
- Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl.
- Whisk together the wet ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry.
- Pour batter into greased large baking pan.
- Bake at 350 Degrees or 180 Celsius.
Wow you are so talented.so is it like a sweet bread?how do you eat it?
Yes a sweet bread. 🙂 I put citrus, and vanilla in it. Thank you Naomi. Happy Easter!!
Wow!i can’t believe how much food you make for Easter! We don’t do anything!! X
Yes, I do make a lot! It will be about 8 of us, and we always have left overs. 😛 I am hoping to get Nestor to take tons of pictures so I can show everyone on Kouzounas Kitchen. 🙂
Great, I look forward to it xx have a great time xx
Thank you!! You too!
xxx