Top 20 Greek Recipes of the Week - April 21 - 27, 2008

This braided or twisted sweet dessert bread is made throughout the year and at other holidays, but it is an Easter tradition decorated with red eggs, symbols of the holiday. Also delicious for breakfast or with coffee or tea.

Red eggs (in Greek: kokkina avga, κόκκινα αυγά, pronounced KOH-kee-nah ahv-GHAH) are perhaps the brightest symbol of Greek Easter, representing the blood of Christ and rebirth.

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.

For many Greeks, cookies made with olive oil are the norm, but on special occasions and holidays, butter cookies are favorites! Make these at any time, and get the kids to join in. Because the cookies are small and the strips of dough are fun to work with, kids have a great time coming up with their own shapes.

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.

This soup is prepared on Holy Saturday and eaten to break the fast after midnight church services. Traditionally, the soup is put on low heat to cook before leaving for church, and eaten on return. This traditional recipe includes ingredients we use in Greece.

One of the most famous phyllo pastries, galaktoboureko is a traditional Greek sweet, soaked in a light lemony syrup after baking. A true special occasion dish.

Oven-roasted potatoes are a favorite side dish in Greek homes, and this recipe adds a bit of a surprise and a lot of taste with orange juice.