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Make Leftovers Even Better the Second Time Around with this Fillo & Feta Recipe

After a big meal, you’re likely to have some leftovers kicking around your fridge; by adding a few simple ingredients to those leftovers you’ll get rave reviews the even second time around.

One of our favourite ways of upcycling leftovers is to turn them into a pie. Yes, we said pie. From meat pies to turkey pies to potato pies, savoury leftover pies make great brunch options.

The formula is simple: veg + leftover meat (you use what you have) + Fillo Pastry Sheets + Feta Cheese. Use our recipe as a guide, but feel free to be creative and mix/combine/substitute for your family’s leftovers. Either way, you’ll end up with a warm, layered pie, with creamy soft feta, engulfed by crispy, flaky fillo.

Pre-heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and drizzle 2 tbsp of evoo. Once you’ve selected your root veggies of choice, peel and slice and arrange them onto the baking sheets. On one tray, layer potatoes and top with sliced onion, and season with black pepper. Drizzle 2 more tbsp of olive oil. On the second baking sheet, combine diced carrots, parsnips, garlic, oregano and 2 tbsp of olive oil. Mix well.

Bake vegetables for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Remove from oven and cool slightly. Ensure this step is done completely before continuing.
TIP: All the veggie chopping and slicing can be done well in advance, so you can simply bake and assemble.

Next — it’s time for the fillo. You’ll need to work quickly here. Brush a 9-inch spring-form pan with melted butter. Then, brush one sheet of fillo with butter and lay it into the centre of the pan. (Watch our video to get a better idea). Repeat with remaining sheets so the entire bottom of the pan is covered and the fillo is laying open, almost like a flower.

Now it’s time to layer: first, a layer of root veg (potato), followed by half of the leftover meat, then a layer of Roma tomatoes and half of the feta cheese. Repeat the pattern and top with the diced veggies. Gently press filling down to pack. Like a present, fold the fillo sheets over the filling in order, brushing each with butter on top. Carefully cover with foil and bake for 70 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 15 minutes or until fillo is crispy golden brown.

After cooling slightly, slice and serve with a generous dollop of tzatziki (our preference!), or perhaps leftover gravy or cranberry sauce, sour cream, whatever you have!

Some people groan at the thought of too many leftovers, but after you try this recipe, we have no doubt you’ll be leaving extra room for leftovers.

Get the full recipe here: https://krinos.ca/recipes/fillo-chicken-crisp-pie/

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This Christmas Dinner Embrace The Warmth of the Season with our Creamy Roasted Red Pepper, Sweet Potato & Feta Soup

If you’re looking for a new holiday soup that’s easy, different and will delight your family this Christmas, it’s time to try our Roasted Red Pepper, Sweet Potato & Feta soup. Roasted red peppers and sweet potatoes make the perfect pair, creating a slightly sweet but savoury soup; mixing in Krinos Barrel Aged Feta gives the soup a velvety texture with a distinct flavour profile.

For this recipe, you’ll need 1 jar of Krinos Roasted Red Peppers, drained and chopped, 1 package (250g) of Krinos Barrel Aged Feta Cheese, crumbled and divided, as well as a potato (sweet or yellow), peeled and diced. These three main ingredients, combined with delicious herbs and seasoning, will be the basis of this Christmas soup.

Start by preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C). Using Krinos Olive oil, brush sliced baguettes and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 3 minutes on each side and reserve for later use.

Meanwhile, in a large pot, heat olive oil one medium heat and add one small yellow onion diced, and diced potato. It’s up to you if you’d like to use a sweet potato or a yellow-flesh potato. A sweet potato will make your soup more orange and colour and definitely add sweetness; a yellow-flesh potato will make your soup creamier and lighter in colour. Once the onions are transparent, add 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 tsp Krinos Dried Greek Oregano and continue to sauté. Add chopped roasted red peppers and 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth. Krinos Roasted Red Peppers are slightly tangy because they’re marinated in white wine vinegar. As the soup cooks, this flavour will balance out the sweetness of the potatoes and create a memorable taste.

Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender. Remove from heat and allow soup to cool for 15 minutes. Transfer mixture to blender and blend until smooth before returning back to pot. And then the showstopper.

Gently stir in Barrel Aged Feta, reserving 1/4 cup. Heat through, on low. The rich Barrel Aged feta will add another element of flavour depth and profile and provide a silky finish, rounding out this unexpected, yet welcomed, Christmas soup.

Serve soup in shallow bowls topped with two toasted baguette slices and remaining crumbled feta.

For this recipe and more, https://krinos.ca/recipes/roasted-red-pepper-sweet-potato-and-feta-soup/

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Must Know Tips For A Stress-Free Holiday Party

Hosting a holly jolly holiday party isn’t as as simple as it looks on Instagram or Pinterest, but with our tips, it IS entirely possible to throw a stress-free festive function that’ll wow your guests.

PLAN: Think big picture and nitty gritty. Overall plan and details. They key to any event is to plan, and plan properly. Set aside a date and stick to it. Make lists of what you’ll need from food to drink, decor and activities. Don’t forget to think about set-up and clean-up, and what will make YOU enjoy the party just as much as your guests.

In order to create an atmosphere that’s comfortable for everyone, it’s important to be organized. Where do coats and boots go? Do you have enough seating? Where will the main serving area be? If you think about all these elements in advance, the party will be seamless from the start.

ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE OR SILENT NIGHT?: What’s the atmosphere of your party? Once you nail down the theme or feel, you can begin shaping the party.

INVITES: Formal printed invites may not be completely necessary, but a beautifully created online invite definitely makes your event stand up against the rest. Think about reflecting your party theme through the invite design (think: Katerina’s Kris Kringle exchange, or The Anderson’s Holiday Open House). Indicate the guest arrival time, or if it’s a drop-in party. Mention if kids are welcome and any other special notes, like parking locations or if Santa is visiting, for example.

FOOD & DRINK: What’s a party without good food? Not much of a party IMO. Planning a menu can be time consuming and the most stressful part of planning. Whether you’re having a sit-down dinner, buffet, or cocktail party, it’s important to have a variety of Christmas Party food. We love the Krinos Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Mini Rolls. These little morsels of crunchy fillo are the perfect holiday app that will save time and also taste great. They’re crispy on the outside and warm and creamy on the inside with a hint of jalapeño spice, plus, they’re super simple — just bake for 30 minutes from frozen — and they are great for munching while chatting with other guests.

When it comes to bevvies, offering a custom Christmas Party drink is a beautiful stand-out detail — a candy cane cocktail or a mistletoe mojito perhaps. To save time the day/eve of your celebration, premix the drink and serve in a large canister or drink dispenser. Remember to offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, and ensure there is a safe way for all of your guests to get home by offering up taxis or an uber service.

DECOR: Time to put all those hours surfing and scrolling to use. Plan your decor in advance; think table cloths and napkins, garland and jingle bells. The best Christmas party decor is noticeable and deliberate, but not over-the-top (unless that’s your theme of course!) Arrange small vases with fresh flowers, or use poinsettias or sweet little Grinch firs as centre pieces you can pick up in advance at your local florist or grocery store. If you’re feeling ambitious, try tying in your party theme into the décor (i.e. Rosemary Christmas trees for a festive foodie soiree).

MUSIC: Don’t forget about Christmas party music! Using a ready-made playlist will give you hours of Christmas carol favourites in minutes. If you’re hosting a dance party, take that into consideration and find a separate playlist.

LITTLE ELVES: Don’t forget the kids. Think about your specific Christmas party and its guests. If you have lots of children coming to your party, reserve an area for easy arts-and-crafts, colouring or cookie decorating. Gingerbread men and women (and houses) are also tons of fun.

GIFT GIVING: Sending your guests off with a party favour is a welcome reminder of the celebration. Again, think simple, ready-made, stress free: A beautiful Christmas ornament, a holiday mug or a sample of your favourite winter tea or hot chocolate mix, a chocolate Santa or even a pair of cozy socks. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, just from the heart.

THE CLEAN UP: No one wants to think about the clean-up after a Christmas party, regardless if it’s a big or small one. Think about cutlery and dishes: rent or purchase recyclable plates, cups and cutlery — there are endless options for good quality and design. This will eliminate a lot of clean up time. Also, ensure there are enough visible disposal areas so guests have a place to throw their tableware. If you can afford it, plan ahead and arrange for a cleaning service to help you out, and don’t discount the value of hiring bartenders and servers for the party itself. This will allow you to mingle and enjoy your guests and they take care of all the clean-up throughout the event.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN: A happy host or hostess is a great one. If something doesn’t go entirely as planned, let it go and enjoy the party.


Happy Holidays!

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Perfect Cheese and Wine Party Ideas and Tips

A classic, tried-and-true wine and cheese party is a great way to bring people together, and Krinos has some ideas to take your standard cocktail gathering and make it a little bit extra.

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT TWO SISTERS VINEYARDS – CHECK OUT SUGGESTED PAIRINGS BELOW

TIP: Think about the style of your cheese and wine party: do you want it to be casual and informal, or more structured? Are you hosting a drop-in party or a set time? Tailor your party style to your liking.

TIP: Start with a large harvest table; if you don’t have one, folding tables will work and cover them with a statement tablecloth or inexpensive kraft paper. Kraft paper gives a rustic flair, and allows you to write on the paper directly, if you like. If your home isn’t conducive to having a cheese and wine party in one area, perhaps you want to split it up into stations.

TIP: Boards are your friend. Use various wood boards to help design your party flow. Have lots of napkins, side dishes and resting areas available for guests.

TIP: You can’t have a cheese and wine party without cheese, and there’s no shortage of impressive Krinos cheeses. If you want to get people talking, offer up Barrel Aged Feta, either on its own or in a small appetizer salad. You don’t need a lot because this feta packs a punch of salty, rich ­­and dense flavour. Pair this with a full-bodied red wine, and let the blend of flavours come alive.

Conversely, you’ll want a cheese that’s smooth and silky; we suggest Artisan Grec Graviera. This premiere product is best served at room temperature, either on its own or with a simple cracker or crostini. The Graviera is creamy and mild and leaves a certain sweetness on your palate. Pair Graviera with a crisp white wine.

TIP: Add some sweetness to the table with Attiki Greek Honey and Artisan Grec Organic Sundried Figs for your guests to explore. A sweet and smooth dark honey, try drizzling Attiki Greek Honey on the Barrel Aged Feta, or enjoy over mixed nuts. Plump and meaty, Artisan Grec Organic Sundried Figs will be a conversation starter for sure. Offer them up whole or sliced on a cracker with Graviera cheese topped with a drizzle of Attiki Greek Honey. Wine Pairing suggestion: dessert or ice wine.

TIP: Add an olive to the party. Or multiple. Krinos Kalamata Olives are excellent in a little bowl served with toothpicks for easy grabbing. These perfectly salty, deep purple olives  are delicious and go with just about anything. A quick and simple way to elevate your olives – rise the olives from the brine and toss with a bit of EVOO and dried oregano.

TIP: There’s arguably no greater pairing than cheese and wine, but to amp up the party, we suggest adding complimentary offerings to the menu with an extensive line of deliciously sweet and savoury products from Krinos.

Hosting a cheese and wine party is a great way to allow your guests to sample and explore new and familiar flavours; use it as an opportunity to be creative and have fun!

 

 

Wine and Cheese Pairing

The most important rule in pairing wine and cheese is to remember that they are both living foods that will change from day to day. As a result, it’s best to use a few guiding principles rather than try to memorize lists of exact pairings for each wine or cheese. Furthermore, “perfect” pairings depend on individual preferences, so the right answer is the one that tastes delicious to the person eating and drinking it.

That said, there are some basic truths underlying food and wine pairing rules. Sweet, salt, fat and spice in food will affect the way wine tastes. In turn, acidity, alcohol and tannin in wine can be accentuated or diminished by these components. So pay attention to the dominant components. As my favourite Master Sommelier frequently says, “Structure never lies.” Think about whether you want to match or contrast whatever stands out about an individual food.

 

Barrel-Aged Feta and Merlot 2013

The salt in feta could overpower a delicate wine, and its intense flavor needs something similarly powerful to not be overwhelmed. Our Merlot is grown in the Niagara River appellation, sheltered from frost, allowing it to reach full ripeness – which creates a rich wine capable of standing alongside such a dominant cheese. The tannins are smooth and silky and should taste even more so alongside the salty feta – making for a flavourful and decadent combination.

 

Artisan Grec Graviera and Unoaked Chardonnay 2016

Silky-textured, flavourful cheese requires a wine with intense fruit and rich texture. Our Unoaked Chardonnay has bright fruit and floral aromatics and flavours supported by a full-bodied weight that allows the wine to stand alongside a high-quality cheese rather than be dominated by it.

 

Attiki Greek Honey, Artisan Grec Organic Sun-dried Figs and Riesling Icewine 2013

In general, wine should be sweeter than accompanying food or its acidity will make it taste sour. Our lusciously sweet icewine – a Canadian specialty of worldwide renown – can easily be sipped next to honey and figs. Riesling’s natural acidity creates the balance that makes this wine so special – intensely concentrated but never cloying. This is a luxurious and low-stress alternative to dessert after a meal or wine and cheese party.

 

Anya Spethmann, Certified Sommelier, Dip.WSET
Director of Marketing, Two Sisters Vineyards
https://www.twosistersvineyards.com

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New Cheese Plant in Edmonton

Krinos Canada is excited to introduce a new member of the family – Tiras Dairies – a cheese plant in Camrose near Edmonton, Alberta. Town Mayor Norman Mayer and Krinos President Alexander Georgiadis, along with 45 Krinos key employees and Canadian brokers, travelled to Alberta to officially cut the ribbon and open the new facility.

Since purchasing the plant, Krinos has introduced a completely new, state-of-the-art production line that produces a wide range of domestic feta cheeses using 100% fresh Canadian milk, all the while maintaining traditional Greek processes.

Plant Manager and Master Cheese Maker Emanuel Georgandelis, makes sure of it. The seasoned cheese maker was brought from Greece to oversee the production, ensuring Krinos’ feta cheese is created with all the authentic methods of traditional Greek making. And it’s paying off.

In 2018, Krinos’ “Traditional Greek Feta” won the Canadian Cheese Award for “Best Feta in Brine”. This cheese is produced at Tiras Dairies.

And there’s more to come. Keep an eye out for new, more convenient and consumer-friendly packaging to be rolled out in the next few weeks. Plus, even more expansions to keep up with growing production.