Sia’s quick Greek lesson

μάτι – máti

eye; also, a small jewellery charm, usually blue with a black dot, worn to protect the wearer against the evil eye

μάτια – mátia (plural)

 

ματιάζω – matiázo (verb)

to give someone the evil eye

φτού φτού φτού – ftoú ftoú ftoú

spitting to protect someone against the evil eye (often done after complimenting them)

 

Koula’s specialities

avgolémono

chicken soup with frothy egg white and lemon

baklavá

Greek dessert made with walnuts and filo pastry, drenched in sugar syrup

fasoláda

white bean and vegetable soup, suitable for fasting days

katoumári

fried pastry sprinkled with ground cloves and sugar, served hot

kouloúria

shiny Easter biscuits made in circle or plait shapes

kourambié

moon-shaped almond shortbread in icing sugar

loukoumádes

fried sticky hot doughnuts

melomakárona

crunchy honey biscuits, sprinkled with walnuts

manéstra

baked orzo in a tomato sauce (either with chicken or a leg of lamb on the side)

piláfi

white rice cooked in chicken stock and burnt butter

spanokópita (píta)

spinach and feta pie made with filo pastry

tirópites

cheese triangles made with filo pastry

 

Clara’s family tree