Greece 2008 Comes to a Close

I'm back and in a bitter-sweet way. It's good to be back in Canada after another wonderful, memorable and fantastic time vacationing in Greece.

Although I wish I could still be in Greece, all things must come to an end and I don't want to get sick of Greece and I always leave unfinished business (an excuse to go back to Greece each year).

Most of the goals I had set out to accomplish on my vacation were met. I met up with friends, caught up with family, made some new friends and took in some winery tours and did a taping for a "Kalofagas" promo.

Throughout my entire vacation, good food & drink was shared and I'm delighted to bring back more fresh & exciting Greek food ideas for you.

Each year that I go back to Greece I learn more about the best cuisine out there (Okay, I'm biased) with the help of the food wisdom from friends and relatives.

To me, the resumption of blogging just after my return from Greece is like a "a new season" for Kalofagas! There will be plenty of days and posts to share my vacation with you (so please be patient).

Let me start off with a quick and easy dessert or breakfast option for you.

In Halkidiki, Greece from August 15th until early September, tree-ripened figs can be had and if you lucky like me, you're surrounded by countless fig trees where one cannot pick or eat all of nature's bounty.

This yogurt parfait is inspired by a product I ate made by Activia, who offers a fruit bottom yogurt with figs.

The concept is quite simple...instead of serving honey with strained Greek yogurt, my not substitute with marmalade-like center of the ripened fig?

Yes, that's right...a tree-ripened fig is that sweet...like marmalade.

Simply spoon in some dollops of strained yogurt into a bowl (or go a little fancy with a tall glass) and layer the meat of the figs with the yogurt.

The tangy Greek yogurt plays off really well against the very sweet insides of the figs.

If you haven't eaten a tree-ripened fig, you must make it a personal foodie goal...you'll never buy a basket of those bland excuses for figs you find at the market for a $1 a piece.

Enjoy!