The Life of Loi: Mediterranean Secrets

Chef Maria Loi shows us her Cretan start to the day, soaking up the sun and sea as she sips on Ellinikos Kafes, traditional Greek coffee, and pastries. On Naxos, Maria joins Governor Ioannis Margaritis to make a traditional Kayana (Scrambled Eggs with Tomato). Back in New York, she prepares a hearty breakfast “the Greek way,” which includes Baklava Sticks, Cheese Sticks and Eggs in Tomato Sauce.

Chef Maria Loi visits the European Bread Museum to observe the practice of the time-honored art of bread decor. Maria is joined by a museum volunteer to prepare traditional fresh pasta known as Goglies. Chef Loi invites her friend Andriana Vamvakas into her kitchen to make a traditional sweet and savory Yiaourtopsomo (Yogurt Bread), and Macaroni me Yiaourti kai Feta (Pasta with Yogurt & Feta).

Chef Maria Loi visits stunning Cape Sounio in Eastern Attica, and sets sail on the beautiful waters of the Aegean sea while preparing a simple Horiatiki Salata (Village Salad). In nearby Legrena, Maria and her friend Antonis Zagouris prepare classic Tsipoura Psito (Grilled Porgy) and Calamari Gemisto (Grilled Stuffed Calamari). Back in her kitchen, she invites Chef Jehangir Mehta to cook with her.

The town of Monemvasia, which has been carved out of a rock slope, is home to the Kalapothou family. Chef Loi joins three generations of women to bake a classic Greek bread called Ladenia and then learns how to make Traxana, made with stewed eggplant & peasant ‘pasta.’ Back at home, Maria is joined by her friend Christian Wistehuff where she bakes her easy version of Ladenia.

Inspired by her visit to the Keratsini fish market in Athens’ port city, Piraeus, Chef Maria Loi, and restauranteur Chrysoula Ypsilanti prepare Sardeles me Elies (Sardines with Olives) and Tyropitakia (Cheese Pies). Back in her kitchen, Chef Loi whips up Tyropita tis Tembelas (Lazy Chef’s Cheese Pie) and invites her friend Christian Wistehuff over to eat Lavraki me Elies (Branzino with Olives).

Chef Maria Loi visits olive groves and olive oil producers and returns home to New York and teams up with friend and oilogist, David Neuman, to explore the rich beauty and history of this iconic staple of Greek cuisine. But before we get to learn how to properly “taste” the olive oil, Maria first prepares Elies Spastes (Greek-Style Tapenade) which has enough olives to feed an entire Greek island.

Chef Maria Loi heads to Nafplio, where she speaks with Ioanna Papantoniou about the history of Greece’s miracle ingredient, tomato paste. Chef Loi makes her mom’s recipe for Patates Kokkinistes (Red Potatoes). Chef Cesare Casella joins Maria in her kitchen to make Greek-Italian Kritharaki me Ntomata (Orzo with Tomatoes) and Spastes Patates me Pelte (Smashed Potatoes with Tomato Paste).

Chef Maria Loi travels to Kissamos to join Fragiskos Stathakis at his honey farm. While in Crete’s capital city, Maria pays a visit to Giannis Vranas at his traditional bakery, where he gives her a taste of Bougatsa (Custard Pie), Pita Kolokythi me Myzithra (Zucchini Pie), and Ryzogalo (Rice Pudding). Back in New York, Chef Loi makes a luscious Melopita, a show-stopping Greek Honey Cheesecake.

Chef Maria Loi travels to Crete to meet with Chef Giannis Baxevanis, who makes a Lavraki Gemisto (Stuffed Branzino) while Chef Poppy Kourkoutaki demonstrates a variation on the traditional way of making Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves). Chef Loi puts a unique twist on traditional stuffed grape leaves and seafood expert, Øyvind Ihle, stops by to enjoy Kranios Rolo (Greek Stone Bass Roulade).

Chef Maria Loi takes us to the historic Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Athens to cook with celebrated Chef Bertrand Valegeas. Inspired by the fresh seafood, they prepare Tsipoura sti Ladokola (Sea Bream in Parchment Paper) and Karavides me Kritharaki (Langoustine with Orzo). Maria makes Athens-inspired recipes: Traganos Solomos (Crispy-Skin Salmon) and Garides me Kritharaki (Shrimp with Orzo).

In the farmlands of Naxos Island, Chef Maria Loi is joined by a local culinary instructor, Iouliani Polykreti, to prepare Katsikaki me Patates (Roasted Goat with Naxian Potatoes) and Gemista (Stuffed Vegetables). At home in New. York City, Maria makes two easy vegetarian dishes: Patates Lemonates (Roasted Lemon Potatoes) and Naxos-inspired Gemista tis Tembelas (Lazy Chef’s Stuffed Vegetables).

Chef Maria Loi travels to Greece’s second largest island, Evia, where she makes Kritharaki me Manitaria (Orzo with Mushrooms) with mushrooms cultivated at a local farm. At Naxos Island, Maria climbs aboard a yacht where the Governor of Naxos helps her prepare a delicious Salatouri. Back in New York, Chef Loi serves up some easy Naxian dishes adapted for the home kitchen.