Vegetarian Traditions

Stories • Recipes • Travel • Farms • Traditions

A Culinary Journal by Chef George Vutetakis

For more than fifty years, I’ve explored the people, places, and traditions behind remarkable plant-based food—from

San Diego and Michigan farmers’ markets and the Inn Season Café to villages in India and tropical farms in Peru.

I invite you to discover recipes, culinary travel, farming traditions, ingredient histories,

and the joy of cooking with nature’s abundance.

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Latest Stories

New recipes, culinary journeys, farmers, traditions

and stories from my kitchen.

Skordalia With History
Culinary Traditions, Recipes George Vutetakis Culinary Traditions, Recipes George Vutetakis

Skordalia With History

During the peak of summer in August, when the hot Sahara-born Sirocco winds blanketed the countryside, Aloni-sites were where families gathering for the cool breezes coming off the sea from Kalathas. Men would sip on cafes, while women would sometimes bring a bowl of fresh-picked almonds to crack and catch up on the seemingly endless tasks of the day. 

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Kypopita-A Cretan Garden Roulade
Culinary Traditions, Recipes George Vutetakis Culinary Traditions, Recipes George Vutetakis

Kypopita-A Cretan Garden Roulade

When planning my gardens, I always consider the ancient Cretan tradition of foraging wild greens. This is one of the secrets of Mediterranean cuisine which adds a special culinary touch and superfood vitamins and minerals from the earth. Some of the greens I plant are different kinds of sorrel, green amaranth, lamb’s quarters and Swiss chard. Fresh fennel also grows wild all over Crete. The Greek name is Marathi. This is the root word for marathon, since the plains of marathon were likely populated with the delicious herb and root.

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Pumpkin Walnut Baklava
Culinary Traditions, Recipes George Vutetakis Culinary Traditions, Recipes George Vutetakis

Pumpkin Walnut Baklava

This dessert was first introduced to the public in 1997 when I was chef and owner of Inn Season Cafe in Royal Oak, Michigan. It quickly became a favorite, especially in the Autumn when Michiganders share a collective passion for all desserts crafted with pumpkin, sweet spices and maple syrup. 

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Alu Methi Tikki
Culinary Traditions, Recipes George Vutetakis Culinary Traditions, Recipes George Vutetakis

Alu Methi Tikki

The art of Indian spicing is legendary.  My kitchen arsenal for preparing sub-continent cuisine contains a number of masala dabars and other vessels to hold over forty spices.  In addition, there are grinders, mortar & pestles, grinding stones and tawas for roasting the various masalas*; however, there are many simple dishes from India which do not require elaborate combinations of spices, hard-to-find ingredients and equipment.  Simple, fresh and sattvic*,  Indian food can be a delightful and exciting addition to any home cook’s repertoire

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New Mexican Black Bean Soup
Culinary Traditions George Vutetakis Culinary Traditions George Vutetakis

New Mexican Black Bean Soup

Quality of ingredients can make a difference for any recipe--the outcome can go from good to fantastic. New Mexico chiles are worth the extra effort, but also consider the beans.  Steve Sando of Rancho Gordo searches the world for heirloom bean varieties.  His beans not only have provenance, but the varieties are cherished for their delicious results. This recipe uses Chiapas Black Beans, a rare, rich and dense bean locally farmed in Mexico.

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Kumquat Marmalade
George Vutetakis George Vutetakis

Kumquat Marmalade

Delicious homemade kumquat marmalade with our easy recipe, featuring fresh ingredients from San Diego farmers markets. Perfect for toast, pastries, or as a glaze, this kumquat and blood orange marmalade is inspired by memories of our family orchard in Mission Hills. Explore practical uses and enjoy the sweet, tangy flavors that will elevate your culinary creations.

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