Fried Smelts

I have been preparing Smelts all my life. Greeks eat these at Greek restaurants all over the Islands and are brought in fresh from the days fishing trip to serve their guests. These were easy to relate to when I was young and the breading was easy to do in order to help with preparation at my Uncles restaurant. Smelts was one of the first items to prepare and learn to work with. Hey, it was fun I got to be covered with breading and flour from head to toe and then I got to eat those little fishies when I took a break. They remind me of my past as a very young prep cook. This is my father's batter and breading recipe that I hold so close. Of course mixed with Greek spices and then deep fried to create a crispy outside and a juicy inside. This great tasting fish comes with my family's Greek dressing recipe. It is out of this world!!!. I found out recently that if someone loves smelts, they love smelts! I always here a story behind an experience in the past with family. Something like this "We used to catch them by the bunches and take them home and fry them and eat them. The whole family would love them." They go great with a white wine. Give them a try and let me know what you think of that flavor!!

Cappuccino Baklava

My newest creation came up when I thought, while making baklava, hey what goes great with Baklava!? Coffee!!!
I tested it for a couple weeks and thought about it for a couple of days and I decided to create the Cappuccino Baklava. It is pretty suttle coffee flavor without making you climb walls. The layers of fillo dough and the crushed walnuts are baked with butter and honey syrup is drizzled on top when coming out of the oven. Then I use some chocolate to for the top of the baklava to give it some extra zing. That cinnamon and coffee flavor along with the honey syrup give it an unforgetable and after a couple bites an addicting taste.
This is not a good time to watch my weight and enjoy this the way I would like! And then again, it never is. I put on some weight coming up with this Greek baklava recipe. Just like any good Greek food, the flavor is there as long as the recipe is done right! And of course cooked by a Greek makes all the difference.