Top 20 Greek Recipes for the Week December 8 - 14, 2008

The creamy combination of yogurt, cucumber, and garlic makes tzatziki a refreshing appetizer that can be eaten alone, with bread, or as an accompaniment to vegetables, meat dishes, and pita wraps. It is one of the dips for which Greece is most well-known. Making it for a large group? Try adding grated carrots to increase the quantity (1 carrot for each cup of yogurt used). They add a nice crunch and don't affect the taste.

This is the Greek recipe for moussaka with eggplant, probably the most well-known of all versions, and a favorite of Greeks and non-Greeks alike. A casserole dish, moussaka is made with layers of ground meat and vegetables, and topped with a rich cream sauce.

This version of the famous Melomakarona cookie is made with sunflower oil, a combination of flour and semolina, and the traditional tastes of cinnamon and cloves. The cookie is dipped in a spiced honey syrup and sprinkled with nuts.

Christopsomo (χριστόψωμο, say: hree-STOHP-soh-moh) literally means "Christ's Bread," and is a fixture in Greek Orthodox homes at Christmas. Great care is taken when making the bread, and loaves can be simple or elaborate.

This version of baklava, made with olive oil (the recipe can also be made with butter), is a modernized version of Gastrin (say: GHAH-streen) - an ancient Cretan sweet known from Roman times. Use butter if you must, but this version made with olive oil is absolutely delicious.

Another version of traditional Greek Christmas cookies, these fabulous spice cookies are made with flour, olive oil, cinnamon, cloves, and nuts baked into the cookie. They are soaked in a spiced honey-based syrup after baking. This recipe includes both walnuts and sesame seeds.

Phyllo dough is easy to make, and the difference when using it to make pitas and pastries is remarkable in taste and in ease of handling. It can be rolled out by hand or with a pasta machine.

This dip is a delicious appetizer and a favorite with regional differences in this part of the world. The key to great hummus is to let the flavor of the chickpeas come through, rather than be overwhelmed by the lemon (it's easy to get too much lemon taste). It's quick to make, no cooking involved, and it's vegan- and vegetarian-friendly.

Kourabiethes (also kourambiedes) are traditional Greek celebration cookies served at Christmas, weddings, baptisms, and other special occasions. This version of kourabiethes is made with butter, eggs, flour, confectioner's sugar, toasted almonds, vanilla, and a touch of brandy.

These butter cookies are easy to make, and the dough is pretty dense, making it ideal for creating a multitude of shapes. The only thing standard about the cookies is that they're small - perfect for snacking, adding to lunchboxes, or serving with coffee and tea.