Nistisimes Syntages” are the Lenten recipes the Orthodox can eat during fasting periods. The Orthodox religion has a lot of fasting periods. The period of the Great Lent startson Kathara Deftera ( Clean Monday) and this period is called Saracosti. Remove from the oven, spoon into a bowl and leave to cool. When the pumpkin has cooled, stir in the bulgur wheat and sultanas or raisins. Trim and finely chop the spring onions and dill.

I baked them for about 35 minutes in a preheated oven to 180 degrees C, or until logs were light brown. Neatly fold left edge and then right edge and then roll all the way. Wrap up into a cigar shape (don’t fold too tight as the rice will expand during cooking). Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling and fold each side of the leaf and then roll.

2η Νηστίσιμη συνταγή: Νηστίσιμη πίτσα με ρόκα, πέστο και φρέσκια ντομάτα

While the pie is baking, make the finishing oil. Crush the garlic, in its skin, with the side of your knife and place in a small pan with four tablespoons of olive oil. Gently fry over a low heat, until it starts smelling wonderful but it doesn’t burn – about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the remaining half-tablespoon of harissa. Leave to cool. Cordon Bleu στο Λονδίνο. Ακολούθησαν σεµινάρια ζαχαροπλαστικής πλάι στον Στέλιο Παρλιάρο και στη Σχολή Ζαχαροπλαστικής Valhrona στη Γαλλία. Συνεργάστηκε µε εφημερίδες, περιοδικά και ως σύμβουλος, παραδίδοντας μαθήματα μαγειρικής σε πολυεθνική εταιρεία τροφίμων.

Spoon one-third of the mixture in a line about 4cm above the bottom edge of the pastry, then brush the pastry with more oil. Roll the pastry and filling up like a cigar then curl it into a swirl; this is the centre of your pie. Place the filled swirl in the middle of the cake tin.Place neatly in the pot seam side facing down, starting from the edge, moving in a circle towards the centre. Second and third layers may be placed on top.

Brush the entire pie with a little more oil and sprinkle with the remaining salt. Bake for 35–45 minutes, until crisp and deep golden brown. Finally add water to cover the plate and bring to a boil, Cover with the lid, reduce heat and simmer for about 30 - 35 minutes. The purpose of fasting is to cleanse the body as well as the spirit in preparation for accepting the Resurrection at Easter, which is the most sacred of all observances in the Greek Orthodox faith. I have a story for you – bear with me. Before I left university many many moons ago (15 years?) I wrote to Delicious Magazine to see if I could do work experience there. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after uni, but all I knew was that I was obsessed with food, cooking and art. I was studying Fine Art and assumed I’d end up in design. However a 2 week placement on the magazine led me to meeting food stylists, photographers and being on my first ever food shoot. I had my eureka moment and life changed forever.Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or simply want to eat more plant-based food, Nistisima offers you tried and tested recipes that celebrate the very best of this tradition – all bursting with flavour and all surprisingly vegan. The word Nistisima refers to the food eaten during periods of lent and fasting. These are predominantlyvegan/ plant based foods. And this is how people of Orthodox faith eat for many days and weeks during the year. When you hear the word ‘fast’ you may assume it refers to the act of ‘not eating’. However in this sense, you can eat what you like but it mustn’tcontain animal products (the exception here being shellfish. As shellfish doesn’t bleed, so religiously this is considered ok. However I chose to keep the book vegan). On weekends, olive oil and wine are permitted. Fish is permitted only on two Sundays during the Lenten period: on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) and on Palm Sunday (one week before Easter). It’s been a busy week technology wise in the Hayden household. I am the first to admit I am crap when it comes to anything techy. Seriously. I think because I post regularly on IG people assume I know what I am doing, but they are wrong. I like taking a pretty picture and that is it my friends. Anything else is a fluke. Or a frustration. Computers are the bane of my life. (Which is why I am so glad I married who I did, Pete is the original nerd).