ML Interest Tag: greek

Easy Greek Quinoa With Roasted Tomatoes

by Erin Lem

Forget brown rice. Quinoa is enjoying its time in the limelight. When prepared with the right seasonal ingredients, this grain is delicious and pairs well with pretty much any protein or as a standalone dish for an easy weeknight meal. This recipe from our friend The Kitchen Snob uses vegetable stock to give the quinoa flavor. Add in a bit of garlic and some veggies and you’ve got a great dish the whole family will love.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup dried quinoa
2 cups vegetable stock or water
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup sliced red onions
¼ cup sliced kalamata olives (or more if you prefer)
¼ cup chopped roasted tomatoes with garlic (from a jar)
2 cups chopped baby spinach
½ cup crumbled feta + more for sprinking

Method:
1. Rinse dry quinoa with water with a fine mesh strainer.

2. In medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add quinoa and stir occasionally for a minute or two. This will toast the quinoa and let it soak up the oil and garlic.

3. Add stock/water and salt and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cover for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. [Note: If there is still water in the bottom of the pan, you can put the quinoa back on the heat (covered) for a few minutes.]

4. Transfer to a large bowl. Let cool for a few minutes. Add onions, olives, tomatoes, and cheese. Toss together. Add spinach and mix together. Serve with additional feta crumbles.

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Kitchen Snob. Visit thekitchensnob.com for more great recipe ideas!

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Greek Stuffed Chicken

by writerredri

Dress up your chicken breast with a filling that’s full of fresh ingredients and flavors. The trick to this easy recipe courtesy of Susan over at Our Family Eats is butterflying the chicken. Simply pile the butterflied chicken with your ingredients and then fold back over and stick it in the oven. Susan likes to serve this dish with roasted grape tomatoes and fresh spinach.

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup (packed) fresh parsley, chopped
4 ounces black olives, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 green onions, thinly sliced, green parts only
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
drizzle of olive oil

Method
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place chicken breasts on your baking sheet and fold back to top portion.

3. In a bowl mix together the remaining ingredients (feta through olive oil). Spoon into chicken breasts, then fold top over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until completely done. Serve warm.

Susan Schuman is a working mom with two small kids and a hungry husband. She writes Our Family Eats to share ideas for fun, wholesome meals that anyone can fit into their hectic schedule.  You can connect with Susan on Twitter @ourfamilyeats.

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Fire Up the Grill: 11 Awesome Kebab Recipes

by Susie Foresman

As the weather heats up, we all gravitate toward the grill for quick, super satisfying meals. But if you’re getting sick of hot dogs and hamburgers, try out one of these awesome kebab recipes. From classic beef and vegetable skewers to fancy salmon varieties, it’s surprisingly easy to whip up a meal-on-a-stick that will please everyone in your family. Click through the slideshow below to see our favorite kebab recipes from around the web.

Chicken Souvlaki

Go Greek tonight with The Healthy Foodie’s awesome recipe for chicken souvlaki. Whip up a quick marinade and a creamy tzatziki sauce to go on the side—this one’s sure to be a home run with the whole family.

What’s your go-to summertime kebab recipe? Let us know by leaving a comment below. — Susie Foresman

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Four of LA’s Fabbest Family Dinner Nights

by Jennifer O'Brien

Between little league, ballet rehearsal and whatever new cuckoo class you’ve signed your tikes up for this week (American Foreign Policy for Toddlers, anyone?), it’s hard to pin down the entire crew for a real live family dinner. Remember those? The cherished times when you were gathered at the table, mom passed around the mysterious Jell-O mold, dad recounted stories from his “wild” frat days (again) and the exchange student living with your crazy brood silently contemplated the fastest way to return to the Ukraine. Luckily, some of LA’s tastiest restaurants have tapped into the importance of keeping family dinner nights alive and now make it easier than ever for you to enjoy a delish meal together without the hassle of cooking and clean-up. Here are four of the best in town:

Papa Cristo’s
If you’re looking to introduce your kiddos to some of LA’s tastiest Greek food that will have them yelling “Opa!” after every bite, then hit up Papa Cristo’s Big Fat Greek Family-Style Dinner on Thursday evenings. Starting at 6:30 pm, families gather at this legendary hotspot to enjoy a meal of traditional Greek appetizers, two main courses (usually lemon chicken and roasted lamb) and mouthwatering sides like slow roasted potatoes, Greek salad and string beans in a rich tomato sauce. The cherry on top is the grand finale – a baklava you could die for (although we hope you don’t). Reservations are a must and the cost runs $24.99 per person. It includes a wine tasting, live music and yes…belly dancing. Ah, we see we’ve peaked dad’s interest.

2771 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 90006
Phone: (323) 737-3571
Online: papacristos.com

Huckleberry
One of our absolute fave kid-friendly joints in town, Huckleberry, also hosts a scrumptious family dinner on Thursday nights. If the warm and wonderful atmosphere doesn’t keep you coming back, the ever-evolving family-style menu will. With seatings beginning at 6:00 pm and ending at 9:00 pm, families can devour a three-course meal featuring such delectable dishes as baby spinach and persimmon salad, braised short ribs and piping hot baked apples. A vegetarian option is available as well. The menu changes weekly, so be sure to check the website for Thursday night’s line-up. Price is $30 per adult, kids 12 and under are half that, and littles 5 and under are free. Free! The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so be sure to snag a table early.

1014 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, Ca 90401
Phone: (310) 451-2311
Online: huckleberrycafe.com

Cecconi’s West Hollywood
There’s nothing more comforting than a cozy Sunday supper with the people you treasure most in the world (even when two of them just called you poo-poo brain for the zillionth time today). And there’s no better place to savor killer Italian fare than Cecconi’s. Every Sunday, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, $50 buys a family of four their choice of some seriously fabulous pizza, pasta and salad. Along with enjoying an incredible meal in a gorgeous setting and uber-friendly service, the restaurant also provides nannies to entertain your rugrats with arts and crafts, as well as a magician to wow the table with some super cool slight of hand. All in all, a memorable night out that will leave tikes singing your praises for days to come. Well done, poo-poo brain. Well done.

8764 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, Ca 90069
Phone: (310) 432-2000
Online: cecconiswesthollywood.com


Farmshop
If you’re looking for a feast that will make you swoon, look no further than Farmshop’s family-style dinners served on Sunday nights from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Tucked inside the Brentwood Country Mart, this Pinterest-perfect eatery utilizes the best finds from Sunday morning’s farmer’s market and transforms them into a culinary masterpiece for supper. The meal starts with something light and moves on to a main course centered around their heavenly crispy fried chicken, including two sides (usually one grain and one veggie), followed by cheese or dessert. Dinner runs $48 per person and kids are half price. Because the menu changes weekly, Farmshop usually posts its dinner rundown online around 11:00 am on Sunday mornings.

225 26th St., Suite 25
Santa Monica, Ca 90402
Phone: (310) 566-2400
Online: farmshopla.com

Foodie Alert: We’re bummed to report that Joan’s on Third recently discontinued its popular $24 family dinner night series, but has plans to relaunch it very soon. We’ll keep you posted!

What are your favorite places in town to enjoy a delicious family-style meal together? We’d love to know!

–Jennifer O’Brien

Photo Credits: USDA Gov via Creative Commons, Papa Cristo’s via Facebook, Huckleberry, Cecconi’s via Facebook and Farmshop via Facebook

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Build Your Own Greek Salad

by writerredtri

The contrast of sweet tomatoes, crisp cucumber and tangy feta gives this salad a bright, refreshing flavor. You can whip it up in one big bowl, but for family meals with picky eaters in attendance, we recommend you arrange it on the table salad-bar style, which allows each family member to create their own unique version of this Mediterranean classic. Olives and cucumbers only? No problem. Cheese on the side, not touching the other foods? You’ve got it! Finally a salad recipe everyone in the family will love!

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • 2 plum tomatoes, diced
  • 1 1/2 English cucumbers, diced
  • 1 red pepper, finely diced
  • 3 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup pitted kalamata olives, whole or halved
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

For the dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

To complete the Greek salad:

  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

Method

To make the salad:

Kid: Place the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper and red onion together in a large bowl. Fold in the olives and parsley and toss together until well mixed. Or assign children the task of putting individual vegetables into small, separate bowls.

To make the dressing:

Together: Whisk the red wine vinegar, mustard, honey, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper together in a small bowl.

Together: Slowly add the olive oil to the dressing, whisking constantly.

To complete the Greek Salad:

Kid: Pour the dressing to taste over the salad and toss to ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated. Crumble the feta cheese on top, sprinkle with parsley, divide into 6 portions and enjoy!

We’ve teamed up with the Kids Cook Monday initiative to bring you a weekly recipe that encourages families to set aside the first night of every week for cooking and eating together as a family. Be sure to check out their website for more great ideas on how to empower your kids in the kitchen!

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What to See, Do and Eat at the Palace of Fine Arts With Kids

by laure latham

Back when international exhibitions meant building a town within a town, the Palace of Fine Arts became one of 10 palaces at the 1915 Panama-Pacific World Exposition on the northern side of San Francisco. Built by the famous Californian architect Bernard Maybeck following ancient Greek and Roman designs, the palace offers a romantic outdoors promenade flanked by tall ionic columns of another time and a serene rotunda overlooking a lagoon that swans and ducks call home. Add to that a theater, and manicured paths, and you’ll understand why the Palace of Fine Arts is a beloved city escape for parents.

When to go: The Palace of Fine Arts is a fantastic place to hang out for an hour or more throughout the year, from sunrise to sunset.

How to get there: The Palace of Fine Arts Theater is located at3301 Lyon Street in San Francisco. For directions from different parts of the Bay Area, click here.

Where to park: Free parking is available along Palace Drive, Yacht Drive, and on Bay and Lyon streets but expect weekends to be crowded.

Public transportation: The Palace of Fine Arts is easily accessible by San Francisco Muni buses #30, #43, #28, and #29. Muni bus lines #22, #41, and #45 also stop in the vicinity. From Fisherman’s Wharf take the #30 Stockton bus. For more information, call Muni at 415-673-6864 or check the SFMTA trip planner.

What to bring and wear: A picnic is a nice addition to this artsy day. Pack up some food and drink and enjoy a day in the park with the kids. Because you’ll be going inside and out, you’ll want to bring layers to be prepared for all weather conditions. Snacks and a camera are also recommended.

What to do:

Run around: with its renovated paved paths and landscaped gardens, the Palace of Fine Arts offers an incredible setting for kids to shake their sillies out away from car and bike traffic. Expect would-be climbers to take the Greek revival columns for jungle gyms – though really, their beauty should inspire poetry more than physical prowess.

Picnic: the grassy lawns surrounding the lagoon are perfect picnic spots with a blow-your-mind view – and tumbling heaven.

Family photos: with its ancient ruin picturesque décor that still screams “only in San Francisco,” the Palace of Fine Arts is often chosen for formal or important photo shoots. Head there for your holiday cards this year. Your relatives across the country won’t believe it.

Theater: home to many ethnic dance festivals, the Palace of Fine Arts Theater showcases several child-friendly programs such as the Nutcracker ballet. Check their upcoming events for more details.

Lunch spots: restaurants are in short supply directly around the Palace of Fine Arts but there’s plenty to eat if you’re willing to walk a few blocks down. If the kids are dying for a treat (or say, you need some quiet time), head to Chestnut Street for smacking ice cream sandwich from Over the Moon.

Cost: Cost is completely dependent on the activities you do and day you wish to come. For a more economical day, stick to picnics, parks, and free-entry days.

Little Known Fact: as the rest of the Panama Pacific Exposition, the Palace of Fine Arts was built on 635 acres reclaimed from the San Francisco Bay. Yes you are walking on water and it doesn’t even show.

Whether for an hour or for a day, you’ll be surprised at how peaceful the Palace of Fine Arts can be despite its proximity from the bustling Marina and Crissy Field scene. Enjoy!

— Laure Latham

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Date Night: Top 5 Gallery Openings This Week

by Erin Lem

The city’s gallery scene is abuzz this week with a slew of openings, the grand list of which is enough to daunt even the most seasoned of art crawlers. In the name of practicality, we’ve plucked out our top five – shows that will get the gears turning for conceptual art nerds, SF history buffs and everyday visual enthusiasts alike (and collectors too, of course).

Director’s Choice

Rounding up four of its sharpest gallery artists and introducing two newcomers, Cain Schulte Gallery puts together a sprawling group show that beckons the visual devourer as well as the conceptual deep-diver.

Look forward to Shawn Smith’s clever and patently humorous sculptures of natural scenes. Composed of small wood cubes, his pieces evoke a familiar and not-quite-natural phenomenon: pixilation. Also at the show, you will find Ruby Wescoat’s sculptures drawing inspiration from equal parts neoclassicism and pop art. The charming objects represent a host of subjects, ranging from Greek statues to six packs, in a single medium – cardboard.

Director’s Choice runs through January 28th at Cain Schulte Gallery, 251 Post Street, Suite 210

Opening Reception: Thursday, December 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Want to find out all about the other top gallery openings this week? Click here to read more!

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a fantastic Date Night idea each week. Be sure to check out their blog for hourly doses of the best of SF.

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