Greek

I’ve been very lucky. I learned to make spanakopita, the Greek spinach and feta casserole encased in filo dough, from a variety of sources — even without the benefit of a Greek grandmother by my side. I had books, I had friends, and eventually, I had professional cooks show me. I’ve also spent a lifetime eating it and enjoying every bite in diners, upscale restaurants, and, yes, versions made by someone else’s loving Greek grandmother.

Leftover pasta always seems to be in my fridge, sitting in plastic containers, waiting to be repurposed. This extra pasta is perhaps as a vestige of when my kids were really young and I needed fast and simple meals. Sure, I could throw together a pasta salad with mayo or vinaigrette and some vegetables, but in the fall and winter, I want to serve — and eat — a warm, hearty meal.

Need to let out a little tension after a long day at the office? Smash your cucumbers. Bring out the cast iron skillet or even just a heavy pot and give them a healthy smack or two. No, really — it helps. It also helps break down the vegetables just enough that they’re extra ready to soak up a dressing, which in this case is a Greek-leaning one made of creamy yogurt, tangy lemon juice, and plenty of chopped fresh dill and parsley.

You probably feel like you need a vacation right now — don’t we all? Well, how about Greece? Yes, sure, it’s a Tuesday and you have work tomorrow, but let’s go anyway. A flight tonight is probably out of the question, so escape to Greece via your kitchen instead, for an inspired dinner that will have everyone around the table cheering. Just keep a close eye on the plates. If you think you need a whole pantry of new ingredients to make your escape, you’re mistaken.

Greek yogurt is an ingredient you’ll almost always find stocked in my fridge. I love it for the cool tang it brings to breakfast parfaits, the protein boost it adds to smoothies, and its versatility as a wholesome stand-in for sour cream or mayo. You might just be surprised at some of the things it can do. From dips and dressings to breakfast popsicles and cakes, here are 10 of our most popular recipes where Greek yogurt shines. These are not your mother’s hard-boiled eggs.

One of the easiest, tastiest sheet pan chicken dinners picks up big flavor from a couple of basics in your spice cabinet and takes your tastebuds on a trip to Greece. Inspired by souvlaki — the traditional skewered chicken highlighted with lemon, sweet herbs, and garlic — juicy chicken thighs are infused with the same classic flavors and get cooked until the skin is irresistibly crisp.

Take a Mediterranean vacation without leaving home, thanks to feta salsa, orzo soup, and the best Greek salad you've ever had.

The sheet pan meal strikes again with this easy, weeknight-friendly chicken souvlaki. If you’re a fan of Greek flavors like lemon and oregano, and ingredients like kalamata olives and feta, you’re going to love this dish. The secret to getting everything to cook evenly is to cut the potatoes into one-inch chunks, the peppers into thick strips, and the onions into thin slices.

If you pull out the Bundt cake pan, you can easily make one giant rolled spanakopita that can be cut into neat slices when you're ready to serve.

Still don’t know what you’re making for dinner tonight? How about this Greek-inspired chicken and rice casserole? You just need a baking dish and one hour. That’s right — you simply bake jasmine rice, chicken breast, and chicken stock in a casserole dish for about an hour until everything is cooked. While the casserole is baking, you can prep the toppings: feta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, and fresh parsley.