Melly's Mint Chocolate Macaron's with Marshmallow cream filling

Melly's Mint Chocolate Macaron's with Marshmallow cream filling

From the sister-in-law of the groom; Melanie. These little babies are light with a crisp, flaky crust, slightly chewy center, and made into a sandwich with marshmallow cream filling. The mint oil gives these little treats a refreshing undertone that always pairs nicely with chocolate. The marshmallow cream filling gives them a rich, smooth finish that is reminiscent of a s'more crossed with an oreo cookie. ~ Mark

2.5 teaspoons of egg white powder (not meringue)

3 tablespoons of bakers sugar (fine granulated sugar)

Mix these together until uniform in color, set aside.

In another bowl sift together

2 scant cups powdered sugar

And one cup almond flour or almond meal made from Blanched almonds.

Set aside

3 tablespoons of cocoa

3 drops of peppermint oil

(for non chocolate variety omit cocoa at this step and peppermint, and add food coloring and other flavors that are desired)

Three egg whites.

Preheat oven to 300* F

Begin whisking egg whites until frothy on medium speed. Add in the granulated sugar and powdered egg whites gradually and blend on medium until incorporated. Then beat egg whites until stiff but still glossy.

Just when the egg whites are finishing I add in sifted cocoa powder and peppermint oil and turn down speed.

Remove mixing bowl from stand mixer and, adding a third of the powdered sugar/almond mixture at a time, gently fold together until all is blended.

Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Fill pastry bag with batter. Gently pipe out small cookies one to one and a half inches and two inches apart. I hold bag straight up and down with tip almost touching the parchment and lift straight up when done with each cookie. The ideal cookie batter doesn't spread too far, isn't too runny but doesn't have a "beak" on top where the pastry bag was touching it.

Before putting pan into oven I tap the pan on the counter, hoping to remove air bubbles...not sure if it does anything though! 

In my gas oven I have been cooking them one rack up from the bottom. 12 minutes in the oven, turn the pan around and 8 to nine minutes more.

After removing pan from oven I let the cookies cool on the pan and on the parchment paper for seven to ten minutes and then I remove them from paper and cool them the rest of the way on a cooling rack...it's tricky but there is definitely a perfect moment when the cookies seem to release a little better.

After they are all the way cool they can be filled with marshmallow filling/icing or even jet puffed marshmallow spread...this makes a little gooey mess but is super yummy! ~ Melanie

Marsha's Really Good Chocolate Chip cookies

From the mother of the bride; Really Good Chocolate Chip Cookies

Traditionally, when the kids were all younger, on their  first day of school when they walked in the door, this is what they would come home to and smell from the oven.   I would use the Nestles "Original Toll House Chocolate Chip cookie" recipe.
However, I did a 'taste test" with my friends recipe. It is the same ingredients just different amounts.  My friend refers to them as "Really Good Chocolate Chip Cookies".  She cut the recipe out of a newspaper over 20 years ago! ~ Marsha 

1 stick margarine plus 1 stick butter
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 extra large eggs
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
24 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream margarine  with sugars until light. Beat in the vanilla and eggs until smooth.  Mix together flour, baking soda and salt.    Add the chocolate chips and nuts. stir to mix.  Drop onto lined (parchment paper) baking sheets, bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, turning sheets end for end and trading oven racks (to to bottom) at the halfway point.  Remove from oven and slide parchment paper off sheets with the cookies on it and leave until cookies are barely cool enough to handle, then transfer to racks to cool.  Makes approx. 5 dozen cookies.

soft sugar cookies

Soft sugar cookies

This recipe is for the soft type of sugar cookie. Bend these cookies and they will fold and tear slowly. The sour cream makes them smooth and light. ~ Mark

1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
2 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 heaping tbs sour cream

In a large bowl combine sugar and butter and blend for about 5 minutes. add eggs one at a time. blend well. add vanilla. scrape the sides of the bowl to keep well mixed.
 In a separate bowl sift together salt, baking powder and flour. Mix in flour mixture to butter mixture, one cup at a time.
  Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Roll the balls into granulated sugar and press down lightly. Place on parchment paper or silicon liner. Bake at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes.

Melting Moments

Melting Moments



Who knew there was a cookie called 'Melting Moments'? I sure didn't. Once again, yiayia has called upon her stand-by ingredient, citrus to add some yiayia magic to these little beauties. The lime zest and lime juice really add that extra touch to these cookies that takes them to the next level; Perfection. ~ Mark



1/2 cup Rice Krispies cereal
16 Tbs unsalted butter cut into 16 pieces and softened
3 Tbs Heavy Cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 14 cups (5 ounces) cake flour
1/4 cups (1 1/4 ounce) cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt
2/3 cup (2 3/8 ounces) confectioners sugar
Zest of 1 large lime
Juice of half a lime

• 1. Process Rice Krispies in blender until finely ground, about 30 seconds. Combine 4 tablespoons butter and cream in large bowl and microwave until butter is melted, about 30 seconds. Whisk in processed Rice Krispies and vanilla until combined. Let cool slightly, 5 to 7 minutes.
• 2. Combine flour, cornstarch, and salt in medium bowl; reserve. Whisk sugar into cooled butter mixture until incorporated. Add remaining 12 tablespoons butter, lime zest, and lime juice whisking until smooth. Stir in flour mixture until combined.
• 3. Working with half of dough at a time, dollop dough into 8-inch strip down center of 14 by 12-inch sheet of parchment paper. Fold 1 long side of parchment over dough. Using ruler, press dough into tight 1-inch-wide log. Repeat with remaining dough and another sheet of parchment. Refrigerate dough until firm, about 1 hour. (Dough can be wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and frozen for up to 1 month.)
• 4. Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 300 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Cut dough into ¼-inch slices and place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake until set but not brown, 18 to 22 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking. Let cool completely on sheets, about 15 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough.
•  You can press the dough into cookie molds, roll out and use with a cookie cutter, or you can also roll the dough into a ball and make a depression in the center with your thumb. You can top these gems off with your favorite fruit gel to give them some 'flair' if you'd like.  

Yiayia's sugar cookies

Yiayia's special sugar cookies

This is yiayias adaptation of the classic sugar cookie, complete with her secret ingredient. ~ Mark

 "The white chocolate cream cheese makes these cookies taste so good; you have no idea!" ~ Yiayia




2 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flower 
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon table salt
8 ounce Philadelphia white chocolate cream cheese (yiayia's secret ingredient )
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted & still warm)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• In large bowl, combine all ingredients except flour and sugar; beat until light and fluffy.
• Add flour; mix well. Shape dough into 3 disks. Wrap dough in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour for easier handling.
• Heat oven to 375°F. On floured surface, roll out 1 disk of dough at a time to 1/8-inch thickness. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated.) Cut with lightly floured 2 1/2-inch round or desired shape cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Decorate as desired. Yiayia uses a fork and makes cross hatch marks (similar to a peanut butter cookie).
• Bake at 375°F. for 6 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheets. 

Madeleines

This is yiayia's version of a classic french treat. The orange zest and orange juice give it a little extra "yiayia zing" while the baking soda makes them a little lighter. ~Mark


Softened unsalted butter for brushing molds
1/2 cup sifted all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 eggs
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange
Juice of 1/2 orange
4 tbs unsalted butter, melted and cooked
Confectioners sugar for dusting (optional)

First, melt the butter and allow it to cool while you make the batter.

In a small bowl place the flour, baking soda, and salt and whisk until well blended.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar at medium-high speed until the mixture has tripled in volume and forms a thick ribbon when the beaters are lifted (about 5 minutes).  Add the vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice and beat to combine.

Sift a small amount of flour over the egg mixture and, using a large rubber spatula, fold the flour mixture into the beaten eggs to lighten it.  Sift the rest of the flour over the egg mixture and fold in being sure not to over mix or the batter will deflate. 

Whisk a small amount of the egg mixture into the melted butter to lighten it.  Then fold in the cooled melted butter in three additions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or several hours, until slightly firm.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).  Generously butter two 12-mold madeleine pans. Dust the molds with flour and tap out the excess.  (Make sure the pans are well greased or the madeleines will stick and be hard to remove.)

Drop a generous tablespoonful of the batter into the center of each prepared mold, leaving the batter mounded in the center.  (This will result in the classic "humped" appearance of the madeleines.)

Bake the madeleines for 11 to13 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the centers spring back when lightly touched.  Do not overbake these cookies or they will be dry.

Remove the pans from the oven and rap each pan sharply against a countertop to release the madeleines.  Transfer the madeleines, smooth sides down, to wire racks to cool.  The madeleines are best served the same day but can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or frozen, well wrapped, for up to 1 month.

When serving dust with confectioners sugar.

Baklava ~ μπακλαβάς (walnut pastry)

Baklava ~ μπακλαβάς (walnut pastry)

Baklava is arguably the signature greek pastry. Everyone knows what baklava is and everyone seems to love it. Each family has there own version, but yia yia's is the best! ~Mark




Filling
2 lbs walnuts, coarsely ground
1 pkg almond toast (secret ingredient! Yia yia always used Zweiback toast, but as it has become hard to find, I have found that almond toast is a great substitute.~Mark) 
1 cup of sugar
3 tbs ground cinnamon
1 lbs butter
1 lbs package Phyllo dough

Syrup
1 lemon slice
Juice of 1 Lemon
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water

Lightly grease a large deep (12x18) pan and set the oven to 350°F.
Thaw the phyllo dough according to manufacturer's directions (this may take overnight). When thawed, roll out the dough. Cover with a damp towel to keep it from drying out.
Grind the nuts until in small, even sized pieces. Combine with sugar and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, melt the butter in the microwave.
Place a sheet of phyllo dough into the pan. Using a pastry brush, brush the phyllo sheet with melted butter. Repeat 4 more times until it is 5 sheets thick, each sheet being "painted" with the butter.
Spoon on a thin layer of the nut mixture. Cover with two more sheets of phyllo, brushing each one with butter. Continue to repeat the nut mixture and two buttered sheets of phyllo until the nut mixture is all used up. The top layer should be 6 to 8 phyllo sheets thick, each sheet being individually buttered. Do not worry if the sheets crinkle up a bit, it will just add more texture.
Cut into equal sized diamonds using a sharp knife. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until lightly golden brown, and edges appear slightly crisp.

While baking, make the syrup. Combine the sugar, lemon juice, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium low heat and let simmer for 7 minutes and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Pour the syrup over the hot baklava and let cool for at least 4 hours before serving, allowing all the syrup to be absorbed

Galaktoboureko ~ γαλακτομπούρεκο

Galaktoboureko ~ γαλακτομπούρεκο

If you are a fan of custard type deserts, you have to try this one. This is by far the best I have ever eaten! The custard is rich and creamy, while the phyllo is crusty and flaky when served right after it is made. The syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness that completes this desert making it melt perfectly in your mouth. ~ Mark
Filling:
6 large eggs
2 cups semolina
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 tbs vanilla
20 cups of milk
1 or more pounds of phyllo

Syrup:
6 cups sugar
5 cups water
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
zest of 1 orange
juice of 1/2 orange

Beat eggs and sugar for at least 10 minutes. Add semolina. Add milk a little bit at a time
Place on stove over medium heat and cook slowly stirring constantly. When it starts boiling, remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. Prepare the phyllo. Use a large cookie sheet. butter 10-12 sheets of phyllo, layering them one at a time on the cookie sheet. Add custard and flatten out in an even layer. Put the rest of phyllo on top brushing butter on each sheet. Cut through the top layers of phyllo, about 2" apart horizontally. Then cut diagonally in the opposite direction at 2" apart to make diamond shapes. (you can also cut them into 2"x2" squares. Bake at 350 for 35 to 50 minutes until the the phyllo on top becomes golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.
 While the galaktoboureko is cooking, make the syrup.
 Mix all the ingredients and cook the syrup slowly on low heat for 10 minutes.
After the it has cooled to luke warm, pour the syrup over the galaktoboureko slowly. Make sure the syrup is warm and not hot.

Galaktoboureko is best served right after the the syrup is poured over the top, however, it is still very good after it has cooled to room temperature.

Melomakarona ~ μελομακάρονα (Christmas spice cookies)

Melomakarona ~ μελομακάρονα (Christmas spice cookies)

Everyone has their favorite cookie in this family and these are mine! I think a lot of people think of them as a honey cookie but as much as I love honey this is not what I think of when craving these little yummy goodies! They are moist and crunchy at the same time. The light citrus and sweet syrup that coats them is balance and adds all the sweet to these not sweet cookies...they are just perfect and in thinking of words to describe them...my mouth is watering!! No one makes these like Yiayia! Do not be daunted because of the process of first baking, then dipping the cookies in this perfect syrup, its well worth it and your guests will be delighted! ~ Melanie

This is one of my favorite Christmas cookies. When I make these, I like to use fresh spices and grind them myself. The flavor and fragrance is much more intense. ~ Mark

Cookie dough:

2 1/2   cups crisco oil
(* you can probably use other oils successfully but Crisco's cooking oil is very light in flavor and doesn't seem to impart any strange flavors to this simple dough...and it works great)
1/2  lb of unsalted butter
1    cups orange juice
1/4 cup brandy

1   cup sugar

1   tbsp. cinnamon
1   tbsp. ground cloves
1   tbsp. baking soda
zest of 4 oranges
1/4 cup walnuts coarsely ground
6   cups flour
2   cups farina flour "very fine"
(* in the absence of farina you can substitute in cream of wheat cereal, but it must be fine and will usually say farina somewhere on the box)

Syrup:

1 cup honey
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
3-4 whole cloves
1 slice of orange
1 tsp lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, using your fingers, combine the orange zest with the sugar – rubbing the grains as if you were playing with sand to release the orange oils into the sugar.

Using an electric mixer, beat the oil, butter and orange sugar together until well mixed. Mix in the orange juice and brandy.  In a separate bowl, mix the flour, farina, ground cloves and cinnamon, baking soda. Sift this mixture.

Slowly incorporate the flour cup by cup until the mixture forms a dough that is not too loose but not quite firm either. It will be dense and wet but not sticky. Once the flour is incorporated fully stop mixing.

To roll cookies, pinch a portion of dough off about the size of a walnut. Shape in your palms into a smooth oblong shape, almost like a small egg. Place on an un-greased cookie sheet. Shape and roll cookies until the sheet is filled.

Press the tines of a large fork in a crosshatch pattern in the center of each cookie. This will flatten them slightly in the center. The cookies should resemble lightly flattened ovals when they go in the oven.Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25 – 30 minutes until lightly browned. (The cookies will darken when submerged in syrup.)

While the cookies are baking, prepare the syrup.

In a saucepan, combine the honey, sugar, water, cinnamon, cloves, lemon juice, and slice of orange. Bring the mixture to a boil then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon, and orange slice.Place the ground walnuts in a shallow plate or bowl next to the stove top. When the cookies come out of the oven and while they are still very warm, carefully float the cookies in the syrup and allow the cookies to absorb syrup on both sides.Using a fork or small spatula, remove the cookie from the syrup and place on a platter or plate. Press ground walnuts lightly into the tops of the cookies (syrup will help it adhere) and sprinkle lightly with ground cinnamon.he oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, using your fingers, combine the orange zest with the sugar – rubbing the grains as if you were playing with sand to release the orange oils into the sugar.
Using an electric mixer, beat the oil, butter and orange sugar together until well mixed. Mix in the orange juice and brandy.  In a separate bowl, mix the flour, farina, ground cloves and cinnamon, baking soda. Sift this mixture.

Slowly incorporate the flour cup by cup until the mixture forms a dough that is not too loose but not quite firm either. It will be dense and wet but not sticky. Once the flour is incorporated fully stop mixing.
To roll cookies, pinch a portion of dough off about the size of a walnut. Shape in your palms into a smooth oblong shape, almost like a small egg. Place on an un-greased cookie sheet. Shape and roll cookies until the sheet is filled.
Press the tines of a large fork in a crosshatch pattern in the center of each cookie. This will flatten them slightly in the center. The cookies should resemble lightly flattened ovals when they go in the oven.Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25 – 30 minutes until lightly browned. (The cookies will darken when submerged in syrup.)

While the cookies are baking, prepare the syrup.

In a saucepan, combine the honey, sugar, water, cinnamon, cloves, lemon juice, and slice of orange. Bring the mixture to a boil then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon, and orange slice.Place the ground walnuts in a shallow plate or bowl next to the stove top. When the cookies come out of the oven and while they are still very warm, carefully float the cookies in the syrup and allow the cookies to absorb syrup on both sides.Using a fork or small spatula, remove the cookie from the syrup and place on a platter or plate. Press ground walnuts lightly into the tops of the cookies (syrup will help it adhere) and sprinkle lightly with ground cinnamon.

Semolina Halva ~ χαλβάς με καρύδια (Semolina pudding)

Semolina Halva ~  χαλβάς με καρύδια (Semolina pudding)

For my pilot son, Greg. Love mom. ~ Yiayia

who doesn't like Halva? For some reason this ones been designated as EFG (Especially for Greg) my brother in law... ~ Melanie

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup Butter
3 cups of semolina flour
2 cups sugar
4 cups water
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 to 2 tsp ground cinnamon for dusting


  In a heavy 10 to 12 inch skillet, heat the oil over moderate heat until a light haze forms above it. Pour in the semolina in a slow, thin stream, stirring constantly. Stir in the chopped walnuts. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until all the oil has absorbed and the meal turns into a light golden color. Add the sugar and then gradually stir in the water. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes longer, stirring constantly until the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape almost solidly in the spoon. Watch for burning and regulate the heat accordingly. Pour the halva into and un-greased 6x10x2 inch baking dish, spreading it out and smoothing the top with a metal spatula or the back of a spoon. Dust the top of the halva with cinnamon. Cool until firm. Just before serving, cut into 1 inch squares. Alternately, you can use a jello mold to form this into a decorative desert.

Koulourakia ~ κουλουράκια (twisted shortbread cookies)

Koulourakia ~ κουλουράκια (twisted shortbread cookies)

  These versatile little cookies were a staple in our household. Yiayia always had a bag of them stashed away somewhere. They are lightly crunchy and flaky on the outside. The orange flavor is a subtle background note to this cookie making it suitable to serve with coffee, tea, or for any occasion. ~ Mark

This recipe is dedicated to all my grandchildren. I love you babies! ~ Yiayia 

Cookie dough:
12 egg yolks (save the whites for the egg wash)
Zest of 3 oranges
1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
2 cups sugar
1 lb unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 rounded tsp baking soda
5 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla, whiskey, Grand Marnier, or other flavoring
7 cups of flour (approximate)

Egg wash:
Egg whites left over from separating yolks for the dough
1/2 tsp canned milk

 Beat the butter at room temperature until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar. Add egg yolk/sugar mixture to the butter. Mix well. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and baking powder, and sift. In a large container, add the baking soda to the orange juice. This will foam, increasing its volume. Immediately add the orange juice mixture to the butter mixture. While continuously mixing, begin to add the flour, one cup at a time until the mixture begins to thicken. The dough should be soft but not sticky. Adjust the amount of flour until you achieve the right consistency. Take a small hand full of dough and roll it by hand into a long rope, about 6-8 inches long. fold in half and twist 3 or 4 times. Place on a non-stick or lightly greased cookie sheet. 
  Preheat the oven to 350°. Mix the egg whites with the canned milk. Brush the tops of each cookie with this mixture prior to baking. Bake for approximately 12 minutes or until the cookies are golden on top.

Kourabiedes ~ κουραμπιέδες (Powder sugar cookies)

Kourabiedes ~ κουραμπιέδες (Powder sugar cookies)

Arguably everyones favorite in our household, especially as children. We always had these cookies around for the holidays...but not for very long! ~ Mark

1 lb unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup sifted powdered sugar

1 tablespoon rounded of Crisco

1/4 cup Cognac, Brandy or ouzo

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 ½ cups sifted all – purpose flour

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat the Crisco, Cognac and vanilla into butter mixture.

Gradually blend in the flour until completely mixed. 

Use about 2 tsp of dough to form each cookie into dough balls. Flatten dough balls with your thumb.

Place on an un-greased cookie sheet. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. the cookies will just start turning golden when done.

Place cooked cookies onto wire rack and sprinkle with powdered sugar before they are cool as this helps the sugar stick.  The cookies should be completely covered in a dense layer of powdered sugar.  Let cool completely before serving.

Forward

As young children, we grew up eating some pretty amazing Greek and Mediterranean food. I can't speak for my siblings, but for me, it wasn't until I was 10 or 12-years-old that I realized how lucky we were. I assumed that everyone ate the same foods that we ate. I slowly realized throughout my pre-teen years that, no one ate the same things we did, with the exception our other Greek friends and relatives.
  We coveted Kraft's mac & cheese, while our mom was serving up moussaka. What were we thinking! Other kids got chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies, while we ate baklava and kourambiedes. They had chicken noodle soup, we had avgolemono. They ate apple pie, we ate apidea (Athenian desert pairs). And don't even get me started on real Greek yogurt with village honey!!
Yeah, we were spoiled, at least by todays standards, and didn't even know it.
  As adults, we now cannot wait to come back home to our parents house for some good ol' fashioned Greek cooking.
  In an attempt to share and preserve some of our mothers family recipes, we dedicate this book and blog, to our mother, Margarita Spiridon (Daoussis) Miles, also known as Yiayia, to the grand kids.
Thank you for keeping and perfecting so many wonderful Greek recipes.
Mark Andrew Miles