Happy New Year! Today’s post will be brief, but delicious! It’s our first recipe of the year, and it’s also our last before the big adventure.
The beginning of the month means the new issue of Wine Tourist Magazine and my food and culture column is out. This month’s feature is Greece – which was one of the very first countries we covered on the blog nearly five years ago!
Back then we covered Bechamel, Kotopitta me Feta, Psari a la Spetsiota, Sfiggoi, and Whole Wheat Phyllo. What we didn’t cover were Greek mezedes, similar to Spanish small plates. This month’s meze recipe comes to us from the island of Santorini – Domatokeftedes (or tomato fritters).
The fritters are a simple combination of tomatoes, onions and herbs. We used green onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, oregano and flour. We also tossed in some cinnamon, thyme and a touch of baking powder.
The ingredients are all mixed together and I have to admit I wasn’t sure how they were going to form a pancake-batter consistency with all the flour, but within a few seconds of stirring, the liquid from the tomatoes does the trick!
After a brief rest in the fridge, spoonfuls of the mixture are fried for a few minutes on each side in a bit of olive oil. The golden brown fritters then drain on paper towels before serving. At this point, Miss A was clamoring.
You can check out the history of Santorini and all about the mezedes table in this month’s issue of the magazine. The recipe is there too!
The fritters are delicious! They are savory with a hint of sweetness and delicious with a spritz of lemon. They ranked high marks with the crew too. 4 spoons from me, 3 spoons from Mike and 3-1/2 spoons from Miss A.
Mr. N also gave the domatokeftedes 3-1/2 spoons and this is a huge deal. Mr. N hates tomatoes. He’ll eat marinara sauce, pizza sauce, ketchup, etc., but never, ever real tomatoes. When he first heard what we were making he was less than pleased. Then he ate one. And then he asked for another.
He loved them! As did we all. These are a great appetizer, small plate or side dish. I can only imagine how delicious they are in Santorini with fresh Santorini tomatoes. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll get to Greece on this adventure; although Mr. N is dying to go. He studied Greece in school this year and it’s high on his list of places to visit. Perhaps we’ll find a cheap flight that will make it doable, but if not, well, Rick Steves says it best:
Assume you will return….It’s a blessing that we can never see all of Europe.
And speaking of the trip, six more sleeps. It’s getting very real, yet remains quite surreal. Lots to do and not much time left, but we’ll be back on Saturday with a trip prep and packing update and a bit of our hopes and expectations for the adventure. Until then….
Kalí sas órexi!
For the recipe click here: Santorini Meze – Domatokeftedes
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Eat, Play, Love 
This sounds lovely, it looks like the Asian scallion pancakes which I love. I would love munching on this as an appetizer or a snack
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These are beautiful Kristy! I won’t deny enjoying plant based foods and isn’t it magic how this simple combination of ingredients transforms into little pancakes in the skillet…bet they taste delicious too. And look at your spread! So lovely; we could be in Santorini 🙂 Happy New Year to the whole family… thinking of you lots as you prepare for your next *big* adventure. Safe travels & happy trails, x.
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Congratulations. I am amazed that you find time to get your article published and write your blog while getting ready for a new adventure which is in a matter of days, do you have more hours in a day than the rest of us????? Or as Charlie say you must never sleep. Wishing you and your family safe and pleasant travel, looking forward to reading about the adventure.
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Congratulations on getting your article published. Thanks for sharing the Greek recipe. It looks delicious.
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This is a wonderful recipe! I’ve never had fritters quite like these and I can’t wait to make them. I’m so glad you’re going to share again on Saturday and give us a little idea of how your immediate plans will unfold. You must just be incredibly busy getting ready for the grand departure. I’m so excited for you, Kristy! ox
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I am getting so excited for you!! These look awesome!
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I don’t know how any of you can sleep right, you have to be so excited and possibly a little nervous about making sure everything goes smoothly in these last few days before your trip. I’ve been able to get a few good tomatoes but before long they will be plentiful here in Florida and this sounds like a delicious recipe to try. Safe travels and be safe.
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I’ve been to Santorini and have enjoyed these fritters, Kristy. Love that island but I’d forgotten all about these until just now, reading your post. I do have to make them and relive a part of a wonderful holiday..
How quickly the time has passed leading up to your trip! Such an exciting time for you and your family. Wishing you safe travels and as uneventful a trip across The Pond as is possible. Buon viaggio!
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Awesome recipe and post, and here I am counting down to your big adventure too!
yes, let’s hope somehow we can meet again this year, who knows? I am enjoying skiing so much I might convince the husband to take me to Poland and face some slopes over there (yeah, right)
good luck with the final arrangements, don’t allow any small hiccup interfere with your thrill!
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Loved reading this post..and the fritters looks absolutely delicious! My daughter and I are waiting for Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 to come out and we were going to look for some recipes from that area…this looks like it will make the list! Thanks for sharing how fun to have your article published!
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With the usual summer glut of tomatoes in Australia this fab recipe surely arrived at a great time! Would never have thought of using tomatoes for fritters and this is fun enough to have as dinner for me any day thanks 🙂 ! Oh, and the best for the preparations – lists and more lists, ticks and more ticks – and then there may be time for sleep also [Oh, Santorini is magical: try to get there!!!!]
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Yum Yum……
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Congratulations on getting your article published and on getting another blog post written. You must never sleep! I have so many friends who have travelled to Santorini and never stop talking about how wonderful it is. I really must get there one day. Love the look of the patties – great party food. Good luck getting yourselves packed up and off to the airport – I’m sure you will feel so relieved once you get on the plane xx
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Thanks Charlie! I hope so! And I hope for some sleep too. 😉
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