Appetizers

Crustless Zucchini Pie with Lemon-Pecorino Cream How can I make crustless zucchini pie dairy-free? Substitute the cream cheese with a cashew-based cream cheese or an oat-based alternative. For the cooking cream, use oat cream or a barista-style cashew cream that holds up well to baking. Replace the Pecorino Romano with a dairy-free parmesan substitute or nutritional yeast for added umami. The eggs provide structure, so they should be kept in place, but if a vegan version is needed, aquafaba or flax eggs can help. With the right dairy-free swaps, the texture stays creamy, and the zucchini keeps the dish light. … Read more

Batata Vada Recipe How can I make this batata vada recipe vegan? Replace the egg in the batter with aquafaba, a flaxseed-water mixture, or a chickpea flour paste. These options give structure and help the batter stick without changing the taste. The filling of mashed potatoes, garlic, cilantro, chilies, and spices is naturally vegan, so no adjustments are needed there. Use a neutral vegetable oil for frying, such as sunflower or canola, to keep the flavors authentic. Can I bake the batata vada instead of deep-frying? you can bake the batata vada recipe if you prefer a lighter alternative to … Read more

Cheese Stuffed Eggplant Rolls How can I make the rolls ahead of time? You can prepare the full recipe up until the point of baking. After rolling the eggplant slices and placing them in the sauce-filled baking dish, cover tightly with parchment and foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let the dish sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes to remove the chill, then bake as directed. Can I freeze the cheese stuffed eggplant rolls? Yes, either before or after baking. To freeze the cheese stuffed eggplant rolls before baking, assemble the … Read more

Roasted Manouri Cheese with Tomatoes and Pine Nuts How can I substitute manouri cheese if I can’t find it? Substitute with mild feta, ricotta salata, or goat cheese, though each will produce a slightly different texture and flavor. Manouri cheese is semi-soft and creamy with a mild, slightly tangy profile, so the closest alternative would be a high-quality Greek feta that’s not too salty and has a creamier consistency. Ricotta salata is firmer and less tangy but holds up well to roasting. Goat cheese softens nicely but has a more pronounced flavor. Choose based on the flavor and texture you … Read more

Honey Drizzled Feta Rolls Prevent the phyllo from tearing when making the feta rolls Phyllo dough is delicate and can tear easily if it dries out. To prevent tearing when making feta rolls, work with one sheet at a time and keep the remaining sheets covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel. If your dough is already dry or cracked, lightly misting it with water can help soften it. Always brush gently with melted butter to avoid ripping. Avoid overhandling and use a sharp knife when cutting the sheets to maintain clean edges and smooth rolling. Do these feta rolls … Read more

Crispy Feta Pastry with Honey and Thyme How do I prevent the phyllo from tearing while wrapping the feta? Keep it covered with a clean, damp kitchen towel as you work. Phyllo dries out quickly when exposed to air, making it brittle and prone to breaking. When brushing with melted butter, be gentle and use just enough to moisten the dough without oversaturating it. If a sheet tears, you can usually patch it by layering another small piece of phyllo over the torn area. Because the pastry is wrapped and baked until crisp, minor imperfections won’t be noticeable in the … Read more