Recipes

How to Make Traditional Greek Baklava

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Celebrating New Beginnings

Hello blogging friends and family,

Thank you for following me and your lovely comments. I know it’s been a minute since my last post. Funny how you start a fun blogging project, then life happens 🙂 Thankfully, it’s all good things.

I can’t wait to share my favorite recipe with you: Baklava. It’s made with nuts, filo pastry, and honey. You can prepare it a day in advance, and the recipe serves 24 people. This week, I’m bringing it to a farewell party for a community volunteer who has helped many in our neighborhood. Although it’s sad to say goodbye, for me, making Baklava brings warmth and tradition as we start new chapters in our lives.

I think that I received the recipe from my Greek language tutor before I even went to Greece. She flew to Athens to help me settle in, which was very special during my first days of college. I hope you enjoy the Baklava recipe and a glimpse of my little food journal from the Mediterranean!

Read more for the complete ingredient list, tips, and directions. If you’re new to the website, feel welcome to learn more About Me. I hope you enjoy this sweet recipe.

Continue reading “How to Make Traditional Greek Baklava” →
Recipes

Easy Spanakopita: A Perfect Brunch Dish

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Hello Bogging Friends & Family!

Welcome to the relaunch of Ellie Bleu.

If you’re new to the website, feel welcome to learn more About Me. I hope you enjoy this savory recipe.

Spanakopita is a popular Greek spinach filo pie that can be used as a substitute for quiche. It’s perfect for your brunches and celebrations. Imagine layers of golden, crisp filo pastry that shatter under your fork, giving way to a warm, savory filling of spinach, fresh herbs, and creamy feta. Each bite is a balance of flaky crunch and the smooth, slightly tangy richness of cheese and greens. In fact, it’s the first dish that came to mind when I was relaunching Ellie Bleu.

The pie can be served as an appetizer (meze) or the main course. Usually, I serve the pie with a Greek Potato Salad. I ate it nearly every day as a young student living in Athens. It was a way for me to stop by the local bakery before class and listen to the latest gossip in my charming neighborhood of Mets.

Here’s a glance at my recipe journal from Greece. The photo captures me perfectly, realizing that I’d rather be reading a book at the beach than at our classes’ archaeological dig site. I wish I could tell my younger self, “Pay attention!” Who knew twenty years later I’d be writing a manuscript about what I had discovered.

Read more for the complete ingredient list, tips and directions.

Continue reading “Easy Spanakopita: A Perfect Brunch Dish” →
Recipes

Revitalize Your Mornings with Lemon Cayenne Water

elliebleu

Happy Sunday blogging family,

I was feeling a little tired as fall came into fruition this year. I don’t know why…perhaps too many pumpkin lattes and sweets. So, on the mornings that I run, I began drinking lemon cayenne water. I loved the kick of energy. It’s like sunshine in a glass!

Inspired by the sunny mornings in Capri, citrusy scent of lemons in Italy and a hint of pepper that gives it a kick, this lemon cayenne water is just what you need to curb temptations during the holiday season.

Continue reading “Revitalize Your Mornings with Lemon Cayenne Water” →

Recipes

Comforting Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe

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For nights in when you need comfort food

Hi blogging family,

I think the world could use a little soul food right now. I know I do. The first thing that came to mind for tonight’s dinner was my Mac N’ “Cheese” recipe.

When it comes to mac n’ cheese, I have a feeling it’s on everyone’s go-to list for childhood favorite. I added a little “bacon” – gasp. I never thought I’d say that. Recently, I discovered that the same bacon pieces that my paternal grandma used on our salads were actually little soy bits. Way to go grandma! So I had to add it to mac n’ “cheese.” Continue reading “Comforting Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe” →

Recipes

Moist Chocolate Chip Brownies: Gluten Free Delight

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Dear blogging family,

It was raining when I took pictures of the brownies. Now, as I taste a brownie before dinner the sun is shining and I think I’ll go for a walk. Talk about perfect timing!

I hope all of you get a little break from the rain and see a glimpse of sunlight. And if it’s stormy where you are…well it can’t hurt to have a brownie or two and cozy up with a good book this evening. Continue reading “Moist Chocolate Chip Brownies: Gluten Free Delight” →

Recipes

Easy One-Pot Garden Pasta Recipe

elliebleu

One bowl pasta

A one-pot-wonder that comes straight from the garden

Hi blogging family,

One pot pasta recipes seems to be the trend. I thought it was a perfect time to try it for the blog. I’m not going to say this is my favorite pasta dish, but it was certainly affordable and easy to make. It’s also fun to get your favorite little ones involved in.

You can use up some of your produce and a lot of the ingredients you can find in your pantry. It also makes for a perfect date night in. And did I mention only one dish to clean?Let’s get started! Continue reading “Easy One-Pot Garden Pasta Recipe” →

Recipes

How to Make a Tasty Acai Smoothie with Peanut Butter

elliebleu

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Hi blogging family!

This is one of my favorite smoothies to make if I run out of my plant-based protein powder. It’s kind of like a grown up’s version of a PB and J breakfast smoothie.

I just love the earthy taste of acai. It taste like tart blackberries and dark chocolate all in one. Be sure to add something sweet like bananas or strawberries. Better yet, a little drizzle of maple syrup!

Have a beautiful morning and enjoy!

Continue reading “How to Make a Tasty Acai Smoothie with Peanut Butter” →

Recipes

Southern Comfort: A Cassoulet Recipe to Savor

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Southern Cassoulet

Last week, I read a touching tribute to one amazing grandfather on Seek the Best Blog. When I mentioned my grandfather was also from the South, Lady G suggested that I share my family’s favorite meal and a little background behind it.

At the age of six or seven, I traveled with my relatives back to the South. It was a magical time on the family farm where my cousins and I chased fireflies, drank sweet tea on the porch, and ate to our heart’s content. Although I miss those childhood moments dearly, it’s taught me that from a humble upbringing comes magical adventures. Perhaps that’s why I loved reading and writing from such a young age.

Today, I have a special love for Creole Cuisine. Southern Cassoulet combines southern comfort food with traditional French methods of slow-cooking beans. Serve with a tangy mustard, and you have food for the soul. Continue reading “Southern Comfort: A Cassoulet Recipe to Savor” →

Mediterranean Lifestyle, Recipes

Indulgent Coconut Bread Pudding with Puff Pastry

elliebleu

Coconut Bread Pudding

The second that I finished interviewing author ZoĂ« Ferraris, I had to try Umm Ali. After multiple attempts to perfect the recipe, and about a million calories later, I think I have a winner. The best part is, the dessert looks deceptively fancy. By using frozen puff pastry, it cut down the prep time by half. Umm Ali would be a fun sweet to make for a Finding Nouf book club party. You can find out more about ZoĂ« Ferraris’ page-turning mystery here. Continue reading “Indulgent Coconut Bread Pudding with Puff Pastry” →