Greek/Mediterranean Cuisine

Grilled Oregano-Lemon Lamb Chops with Orzo

8 4-ounce lamb rib chops (or 4 8-ounce loin chops)
1/3 cup olive oil
2 whole lemons, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 pound orzo
1 large tomato, chopped
Tsatsiki

Combine all the ingredients except the orzo and the tomato in a shallow dish. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours.

In a large stove-top grill pan or in the broiler, grill the rib chops 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium rare, 4 to 5 minutes for medium to medium well. (For loin chops, grill 5 to 6 minutes for medium rare, 7 to 8 minutes for medium to medium well.)

Meanwhile, prepare the orzo according to the package instructions for 4 servings. Add the tomato, stir, and season to taste with salt. Serve hot with the chops, accompanied by the Tsatsiki. Makes 4 servings

Creamy Mushroom Phyllo Triangles

3/4 cup dried porcini mushrooms (about 3/4 ounce)
1 pound button mushrooms
1 large onion, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 8 ounces)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
6 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
24 (18 x 14-inch) sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
Olive oil-flavored cooking spray

Cover porcini mushrooms with boiling water in a bowl. Let stand 1 hour. Drain well; chop. Place half of button mushrooms in a food processor; pulse 8 times or until finely chopped. Remove from processor. Repeat procedure with remaining button mushrooms. Add onion to processor; pulse 8 times or until finely chopped.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes. Add button mushrooms; cook until mushrooms are tender and liquid evaporates (about 10 minutes). Stir in porcini mushrooms, oregano, salt, pepper, and nutmeg; cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cheese; stir until cheese melts. Stir in parsley.

Preheat oven to 375°. Place 1 phyllo sheet on a large cutting board or work surface (cover remaining phyllo to prevent drying). Cut sheet in half lengthwise; lightly coat with cooking spray. Fold each phyllo piece in half lengthwise to form a (3 1/2-inch-wide) strip.

Spoon a level tablespoon of mushroom mixture onto 1 short end of each strip, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold 1 corner of edge with 1-inch border over mixture, forming a triangle; continue folding back and forth into a triangle to end of strip.

Repeat procedure with remaining phyllo, cooking spray, and mushroom mixture. Place triangles, seam side down, on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Lightly coat tops with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until golden. Serve warm. Makes 48 triangles

Greek Chicken Casserole

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large)
2 tablespoons dried thyme
1 to 2 teaspoons black pepper
10 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups (1/2-inch) cubed red potato (about 2 pounds)
2 cups (1-inch) cut green beans (about 1/2 pound)
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons anchovy paste or finely chopped olives
2 (14.5-ounce) cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
8 skinned, boned chicken thighs (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Preheat oven to 375°. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the thyme, pepper, and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high.

Add potato; sauté 8 minutes or until potato begins to brown. Stir in green beans, water, anchovy paste, and tomatoes. Remove mixture from heat. Nestle chicken thighs into potato mixture. Top with feta cheese. Cover and bake at 375° for 45 minutes. Makes 4 servings

Citrus-Marinated Shrimp with Louis Sauce

2 lemons, halved
2 limes, halved
1/2 orange, halved
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
4 pounds unpeeled, large fresh shrimp
2 cups fresh orange juice
2 cups grapefruit juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 lemon, sliced
1 orange, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 grapefruit, sliced
1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
Lettuce leaves
Louis Sauce
Garnish: citrus fruit slices

Combine lemon halves, next 3 ingredients, and salted water to cover in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil; add shrimp, and cook 2 to 3 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Plunge shrimp into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.

Peel shrimp, leaving tails on. Devein, if desired. Combine orange juice and next 9 ingredients in a large shallow dish or heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag. Add shrimp, cover or seal, and chill 25 minutes. Drain off liquid. Serve shrimp over lettuce leaves with Louis Sauce. Garnish, if desired. Makes 8 servings

Louis Sauce
1 (12-ounce) jar chili sauce
2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons grated onion
2 tablespoons grated lemon rind
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 1/2 teaspoons Greek seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
Garnish: lemon zest

Stir together first 10 ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Garnish, if desired. Makes 3 cups

Greek Tortellini Salad

1 package (20 oz.) fresh cheese-filled tortellini
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound baby spinach leaves, rinsed and crisped
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 6 oz.)
1/2 cup slivered red onion
6 hard-cooked large eggs, peeled and quartered

In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring 2 quarts water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender to bite, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, parsley, oregano, and salt. Add cooked tortellini and mix to coat. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.

Add spinach, feta cheese, and onion to tortellini and mix gently. Mound salad on a platter and arrange egg quarters around the edge. Makes 8 servings

Mint-Crusted Lamb

2 (8-rib) lamb rib roasts (1 1/2 pounds each), trimmed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups French bread cubes
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup stone-ground mustard

Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Cook lamb in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned.

Process bread and next 5 ingredients in a food processor until coarsely ground. Brush mustard over lamb; press breadcrumb mixture over mustard. Place lamb on a lightly greased rack in a broiler pan.

Bake at 400° for 40 to 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 145°. Remove from oven, and let stand 5 minutes. Makes 4 servings

Shrimp, Lemon, and Spinach Whole-Grain Pasta Salad

12 ounces whole-grain rotini, rotelle, or fusilli pasta
1 pound (30 to 35 per lb.) peeled deveined shrimp, tails removed
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, minced
About 3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 teaspoon red chile flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves
1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas (garbanzos), drained and rinsed
1 1/4 cups plain yogurt
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender to the bite, 9 to 12 minutes or according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, toss shrimp with 2 tbsp. olive oil, onion, garlic, 3/4 tsp. salt, chile flakes, and cumin; marinate at room temperature 10 minutes. Preheat a medium frying pan over medium heat, then add shrimp and marinade. Cook, stirring often, until shrimp are pink and firm, 3 to 4 minutes.

In a large bowl, toss together pasta, shrimp mixture, spinach, chickpeas, yogurt, mint, lemon juice, remaining oil, and lemon zest. Season to taste with salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 8 servings

Greek Steak Pitas with Dill Sauce

Sauce:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced

Steak:
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed
Cooking spray
4 (6-inch) pitas, cut in half
4 romaine lettuce leaves, halved
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled feta cheese

Prepare grill or broiler. To prepare sauce, combine first 5 ingredients, stirring with a whisk. To prepare steak, combine juice and next 4 ingredients (juice through steak) in a large zip-top plastic bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator 10 minutes, turning once. Remove steak from bag; discard marinade.

Place steak on grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray; cook 6 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices.

Line each pita half with 1 lettuce leaf half. Divide steak evenly among pita halves. Spoon 1 tablespoon sauce and 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese into each pita half. Makes 4 servings

Grilled-Shrimp Gyros with Herbed Yogurt Spread

1 1/2 pounds unpeeled, medium-size fresh shrimp
2 tablespoons Greek seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 (12-inch) wooden skewers
4 (8-inch) pita rounds or gyro rounds
Herbed Yogurt Spread
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 large tomato, chopped
1 cucumber, thinly sliced

Peel shrimp, and devein, if desired. Combine seasoning and olive oil in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; add shrimp. Seal and chill 30 minutes. Soak skewers in water 30 minutes while shrimp marinates; thread shrimp onto skewers.

Grill, covered with grill lid, over medium heat (300° to 350°) about 5 minutes on each side or just until shrimp turn pink.
Wrap each pita round in a damp cloth; microwave at HIGH 10 to 15 seconds or until soft. Spread 1 side of each pita round with Herbed Yogurt Spread. Top evenly with shrimp, cheese, tomato, and cucumber; roll up. Makes 4 servings

Herbed Yogurt Spread
1/2 cup yogurt
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Whisk together all ingredients; chill until ready to serve or up to 8 hours. Makes 1/2 cup

Chicken Oreganata

1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 5 lemons)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about
Cooking spray
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Combine first 4 ingredients in a zip-top plastic bag; add chicken. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 3 hours or overnight, turning occasionally.

Preheat oven to 350°. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Place chicken in a single layer on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until chicken is done. Makes 4 servings

Cheese Pie with Peppers

Cooking spray
1 1/2 cups chopped green bell pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded jalapeño pepper (about 1 medium)
1/2 cup semolina or pasta flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)
1 1/2 cups milk, divided
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled blue cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large egg whites
8 (18 x 14-inch) sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed

Preheat oven to 400°. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add bell pepper and jalapeño; sauté 5 minutes. Stir in flour; remove from heat. Set aside 2 tablespoons milk. Gradually add remaining milk to pan, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in yogurt; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir 2 minutes or until thick. Cool 5 minutes. Stir in cheeses, salt, black pepper, and egg whites.

Working with 1 phyllo sheet at a time (cover remaining dough to keep from drying), place 2 phyllo sheets in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray; gently press sheets into bottom and sides of pan, allowing ends to extend over edges of pan. Coat top sheet with cooking spray.

Fold 1 phyllo sheet in half crosswise; place on sheets in bottom of pan, and coat with cooking spray. Top with 1 phyllo sheet, gently pressing sheet into bottom and sides of pan; coat with cooking spray. Spread cheese mixture evenly over top of phyllo. Fold 1 phyllo sheet in half crosswise; gently press on cheese mixture in pan, and coat with cooking spray.

Top with remaining 3 phyllo sheets, coating each sheet with cooking spray. Cut ends of sheets extending over pan. Fold edges of phyllo to form a rim; flatten rim with fork. Cut 4 slits with a sharp knife in top of phyllo; brush with reserved 2 tablespoons milk. Bake at 400° for 22 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375° (do not remove pie from oven); bake 20 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven; let stand 15 minutes. Makes 8 servings

Avgolemono Soupa

2 quarts chicken broth
1/2 cup long-grain white rice
Salt and pepper
4 large eggs
1/3 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice

In a medium pan over high heat, bring broth and rice to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until rice is tender to bite, 15 to 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

In a bowl, whisk eggs, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup water to blend. Gradually whisk in about a cup of the hot broth mixture. Then gradually whisk egg mixture into broth and rice mixture. Stir over low heat just until hot, 1 to 3 minutes; don't boil or soup may curdle. Ladle into bowls. Makes 8 servings

White Bean Hummus

2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 (15.5-ounce) cans great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons tahini
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
Garnish: paprika

Pulse garlic and rosemary in a food processor 3 or 4 times or until minced. Add beans and next 4 ingredients; process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.

Pour olive oil gradually through food chute with processor running; process until mixture is smooth. Cover and chill 1 hour. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers, sliced cucumber, pimiento-stuffed olives, and pitted kalamata olives. Makes 3 cups

Greek-Style Scampi

6 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, undrained
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
6 tablespoons (about 1 1/2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add green bell pepper to pan; sauté 1 minute.

Add garlic and tomatoes; cook 1 minute. Add black pepper and shrimp; cover and cook 3 minutes or until shrimp are done. Stir in red pepper; remove from heat. Place 1 cup pasta on each of 4 plates. Top each serving with 1 cup shrimp mixture and 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese. Makes 4 servings

Hummus Pitas With Feta-Olive Salsa

1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 tablespoon tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 garlic clove, peeled
Dash of crushed red pepper
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup chopped tomato
3/4 cup chopped seeded English cucumber
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon minced fresh mint
4 (6-inch) pita bread rounds, halved

Drain chickpeas in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 tablespoon liquid. Combine chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and red pepper in a food processor, and process until smooth, scraping sides of processor bowl once. Add lemon juice and reserved chickpea liquid, process until smooth. Spoon mixture into a bowl; set aside.

Combine tomato and next 6 ingredients (tomato through mint) in a bowl. Spoon 1/4 cup hummus mixture into each pita half; top with 1/4 cup feta-olive salsa. Makes 4 sandwiches

Brown Rice-Stuffed Grape Leaves in Tomato Sauce

4 cups water
1 cup uncooked long-grain brown rice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 cup thinly sliced leek (about 1 large)
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons dried currants
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind
1/2 teaspoon dried savory
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
24 bottled large grape leaves

Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan; add rice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 40 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; uncover and cool to room temperature.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add leek; cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently (do not brown). Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Reserve 1/4 cup leek mixture; stir remaining leek mixture into rice. Stir parsley and next 7 ingredients (parsley through 1/8 teaspoon salt) into rice mixture. Add 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

Combine reserved 1/4 cup leek mixture, tomatoes, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper in skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Rinse grape leaves with cold water; drain well. Pat dry with paper towels. Remove stems; discard. Select 24 large leaves; reserve remaining leaves for another use. Spoon 1 rounded tablespoon of rice mixture onto center of each grape leaf. Bring 2 opposite points of leaf to center; fold over filling. Beginning at 1 short side, roll up leaf tightly, jelly roll fashion. Repeat procedure with remaining leaves.

Nestle stuffed grape leaves, seam sides down, in tomato sauce. Cover and cook over medium-low heat 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Makes 8 servings

Fennel-Marinated Halibut with Fennel Tzatziki

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
4 (6-ounce) halibut fillets
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup shredded fennel bulb
2 teaspoons chopped fennel fronds
1 garlic clove, minced
Cooking spray

Combine first 5 ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large zip-top plastic bag; add fish. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour, turning occasionally.

Preheat broiler. Spoon yogurt onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels; spread to 1/2-inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels; let stand 5 minutes. Scrape into a bowl using a rubber spatula. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, shredded fennel bulb, chopped fennel fronds, and garlic. Cover and refrigerate.

Remove fish from bag; discard marinade. Place fish on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Broil 8 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Serve with yogurt sauce. Makes 4 servings

Potato and Lamb Moussaka

Cooking spray
2 pounds peeled baking potato, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 pound ground lamb
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 cup milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add one-third of potato slices to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Transfer potato to bowl. Repeat procedure with cooking spray and remaining potato slices.

Preheat oven to 350°. Recoat pan with cooking spray. Add onion, garlic, and lamb to pan; cook 3 minutes or until lamb begins to brown. Add bell peppers, tomato sauce, salt, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, and parsley; cook 10 minutes.

Arrange half of potato slices in a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange lamb mixture over potatoes; top with remaining potato slices. Combine milk and eggs in a small bowl; pour over potato mixture. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until top is golden and set. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings

Lamb Pilaf

2 1/2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large onion)
3/4 cup chopped carrot (about 1 carrot)
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 pound lean ground lamb
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1 cup chopped plum tomato (about 1 tomato)
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add first 4 ingredients to pan; cook 5 minutes, stirring to crumble lamb. Stir in rice and cinnamon; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth; bring to a boil.

Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; stir in chopped tomato, 3 tablespoons parsley, mint, lemon juice, and salt. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley. Makes 4 servings

Broccoli with Red Pepper Flakes and Toasted Garlic

2 teaspoons olive oil
6 cups broccoli florets (about 1 head)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 cup water

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli, kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and sliced garlic. Sauté 2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 2 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender. Makes 4 servings

Dilled Potato Salad With Feta

2 pounds small red potatoes, unpeeled
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon dried dill
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber, cut in half lengthwise and sliced
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 (4-ounce) package crumbled feta cheese

Bring potatoes and water to cover to a boil. Cook 25 to 30 minutes or just until tender; drain and cool. Cut potatoes into quarters.

Whisk together vinegar, oil, dill, salt, and pepper. Pour over warm potatoes. Stir in chopped bell pepper, cucumber, and green onions; add cheese, and toss to combine. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Makes 6 to 8 servings

Mini-Spanakopitas

Filling:
1 (10-ounce) package fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped green onions
1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

Remaining ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg white
5 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed

Preheat oven to 350°. To prepare filling, place spinach in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Place over medium heat; cook until spinach wilts. Place the spinach mixture in a colander, pressing until barely moist. Combine the spinach and cheeses in a bowl; set aside.

Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green onions; sauté for 2 minutes or until soft. Stir the green onions and the next 5 ingredients (green onions through 2 egg whites) into spinach mixture.

Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 egg white in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Working with 1 phyllo sheet at a time, cut each sheet lengthwise into 4 (3 1/2-inch-wide) strips; lightly brush phyllo sheet with egg mixture (cover the remaining phyllo dough to keep it from drying).

Spoon about 1 tablespoon spinach mixture onto one end of each strip. Fold one corner of the opposite end over mixture, forming a triangle; keep folding back and forth into a triangle to the end of strip. Place triangles, seam sides down, on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until golden. Makes 20

Greek Greens and Sweet Onion Pie

2 quarts water
12 cups torn Swiss chard (about 3/4 pound)
8 cups torn spinach (about 1/2 pound)
Cooking spray
2 cups chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed

Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Add the chard and spinach; cook 2 minutes or until tender. Drain well. Place chard mixture on several layers of paper towels; squeeze until barely moist. Preheat oven to 375°.

Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add chard mixture, dill, and parsley, stirring well to combine. Cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat. Combine chard mixture, cheese, eggs, and egg whites, tossing well to combine. Stir in pepper and salt.

Place 1 phyllo sheet on a large cutting board or work surface (cover remaining dough to prevent drying); lightly coat phyllo sheet with cooking spray. Place phyllo sheet in a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray, allowing edges to overlap plate rim. Repeat the procedure with 6 additional phyllo sheets, placing sheets in a crisscross design.

Spoon the spinach mixture over phyllo. Lightly coat each of remaining 3 phyllo sheets with cooking spray, and place sheets over spinach mixture in a crisscross design. Roll excess phyllo into the dish to create a decorative edge; press lightly to hold.

Cut 4 (2-inch) slits in top of pie; cover with foil. Bake at 375° for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 30 minutes or until crust is crisp and golden. Cut pie into 8 wedges. Makes 4 servings

Greek Lamb with Herbs and Garlic

1 leg of lamb (about 6 lb.), boned and butterflied (boned weight 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 lb.)
4 cloves garlic, cut into thin slivers
1 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons cream sherry
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
5 sprigs (4 to 6 in. long) fresh rosemary, rinsed
About 1/2 teaspoon salt
About 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Rinse lamb and pat dry; trim off excess surface fat. With a small, sharp knife, cut slits about 1/2 inch wide and deep all over lamb and insert slivers of garlic.

In a 9- by 13-inch baking dish or large bowl, mix wine, olive oil, lemon juice, sherry, thyme, rosemary sprigs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add lamb and turn to completely coat with marinade. Cover the lamb and chill, turning occasionally, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

Lift lamb from marinade and spread out flat on an oiled barbecue grill over a solid bed of medium coals or medium heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand just above grill level only 4 to 5 seconds).

If cooking over charcoal, drop rosemary sprigs from marinade onto coals for aromatic smoke, if desired. Discard marinade. Close barbecue lid. Cook lamb, turning once, until a thermometer inserted in center of thickest part registers 135° for medium-rare (still slightly pink; cut to test), 20 to 35 minutes; thin parts will be well done.

Transfer lamb to a rimmed cutting board or platter, cover lightly with foil to keep warm, and let stand 10 to 15 minutes. Slice meat thinly and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Makes 8 servings

Butternut-Cheese Pie

4 cups coarsely shredded butternut squash (about 1 pound)
1/4 cup uncooked bulgur
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed and divided
Cooking spray

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; cover and chill 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add onion, feta and Parmesan cheeses, chopped mint, and black pepper to squash mixture, stirring to combine.

Working with 1 phyllo sheet at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent drying), place 1 sheet into a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate coated with cooking spray. Gently press sheet into pie plate, allowing ends to extend over edges of pan; lightly coat with cooking spray. Place another phyllo sheet across first sheet to form a crisscross design; lightly coat phyllo with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with 2 phyllo sheets and cooking spray.

Spoon squash mixture over phyllo. Place another phyllo sheet over squash, repeating crisscross design with remaining phyllo and cooking spray. Fold in edges of phyllo to fit dish and form a rim. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 8 servings