Christina Dynamite

Christina Dynamite Keep it simple, keep it real. Private Chef & Culinary Strategist
Founded by Christina Dynamite
(5)

08/10/2026

Fasolada (Greek Bean Soup) — Greece’s national dish 🇬🇷

Fasolada is a traditional Greek white bean soup made with simple ingredients: white beans, tomatoes, vegetables and olive oil. It’s hearty, comforting, and a true staple of Greek cuisine.

And the longer it sits, the thicker and creamier it becomes.

FASOLADA

Ingredients
500 g dry white beans, soaked overnight
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
500 g crushed tomatoes
1–2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for finishing
3 liters water total (2 liters for boiling + 1 liter hot water for cooking)
Salt and pepper, to taste

For serving
Tarama
Kalamata olives
Lagana bread or any rustic bread

Directions
Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Place them in a pot with 2 liters of water and simmer until they begin to soften.

In a separate pot, heat 1–2 tablespoons olive oil and sauté the onion until soft. Stir in the tomato paste and cook briefly. Add the crushed tomatoes, carrots and celery. Pour in 1 liter of hot water and bring to a gentle simmer.

Drain the beans and add them to the pot. Cover and let the soup simmer low and slow until the beans are fully tender and the soup thickens.

Once the beans are completely cooked, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Before serving, drizzle a little olive oil over the soup, give it a good mix and ladle into bowls.

The longer it sits, the thicker and creamier it becomes.

Did you know fasolada is Greece’s national dish?

08/07/2026

Some people call this olive oil caramel, so I had to try it for myself.

Whisk together equal parts pure maple syrup and Giannos Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil until smooth. I used ¼ cup of each, then poured it over vanilla ice cream.

It’s an unexpected combination that tastes incredible. Personally, I wouldn’t compare it to caramel. I think it has its own flavor, and that’s exactly what I loved about it.

I used Giannos Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil because a high-quality extra virgin olive oil always makes a difference.

Get 15% OFF with code DYNAMITE at Giannos.com.

Have you tried this combination? I’d love to know what you think.

08/05/2026

My Lebanese client introduced me to za’atar, and I’ve loved it ever since. She brought it from Lebanon, I brought the Greek extra virgin olive oil, and together they became one of my favorite combinations.

If you’ve never tried za’atar, it’s a traditional Middle Eastern seasoning made with herbs, sesame seeds, and sumac. The classic way to enjoy za’atar is mixed with extra virgin olive oil and served with warm pita or flatbread. It’s also the traditional topping for manakish, a Middle Eastern flatbread.

I used Giannos Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil for this recipe. A high-quality extra virgin olive oil is one of the most important ingredients in my kitchen. It makes a difference in every recipe, from simple dips like this to everyday cooking.

Get 15% OFF with code DYNAMITE at Giannos.com.

If you grew up eating za’atar, what’s your favorite way to enjoy it?

08/01/2026

When you’re craving something sweet and still want to feel good about it, make this gluten-free lemon olive oil cake.

It’s made with almond flour, sweetened with honey, and filled with fresh lemon juice and zest. A good Greek extra virgin olive oil makes all the difference, giving the cake such a soft, moist texture.

LEMON OLIVE OIL CAKE

Ingredients

200 g finely ground almond flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
60 g honey
60 ml fresh lemon juice
60 ml Giannos Greek extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
Powdered erythritol, for finishing

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325°F / 160°C.

Line the bottom and sides of a 6-inch springform pan with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, combine the almond flour and baking powder.

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, and olive oil until smooth.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently mix just until combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Bake uncovered on the center rack for 25 minutes. Loosely cover the top with aluminum foil and bake for another 10 minutes.

Turn off the oven and leave the cake inside for 10 minutes with the oven door slightly open.

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely inside the springform pan.

Once fully cooled, carefully run a thin knife around the inside edge to loosen the cake. Release the springform latch and gently remove the ring.

Finish with powdered erythritol, a powdered sugar alternative made from a sugar alcohol. I used it to create the powdered-sugar finish without adding refined sugar. Regular powdered sugar can also be used.

Use code DYNAMITE for 15% off every order of Giannos Greek extra virgin olive oil.

Save this gluten-free lemon olive oil cake recipe for the next time you’re craving something sweet.

08/01/2026

This is called Ypovrichio, or Vanilia (Υποβρύχιο ή Βανίλια), one of Greece’s most nostalgic traditional sweets.

Served on a spoon and dipped into ice-cold water, it’s thick, glossy, chewy, and a childhood favorite for generations of Greeks.

The two classic flavors are Vanilia and Mastiha. Mastiha is made from the resin of the mastic trees on the Greek island of Chios, giving it a flavor unlike anything else.

📍 Mediterranean Foods
22-78 35th Street, Astoria, NY 11105
OR
12-40 150th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357

You can find both flavors at either location, and they also ship nationwide.

Have you ever tried Ypovrichio? Which one are you choosing first: Vanilia or Mastiha?

07/31/2026

If you’ve been wanting to visit Mediterranean Foods, getting there is easier than you think! 🇬🇷

Located in the heart of Astoria, Queens, Mediterranean Foods is just a short walk from the Ditmars Boulevard N train station. Inside you’ll find authentic Greek and Mediterranean groceries, including Greek feta, extra virgin olive oil, olives, cheeses, spices, frozen specialties, pastries, and so much more.

Whether you’re stocking your pantry or looking for ingredients you won’t find at your typical grocery store, Mediterranean Foods is a destination worth the trip.

📍Mediterranean Foods
22-78 35th Street
Astoria, NY 11105

Save this guide for your next visit, and tag a friend who needs to explore one of New York’s favorite Greek and Mediterranean markets!

07/31/2026

I kept hearing about olive oil on vanilla ice cream, and honestly, I just couldn’t imagine how it would taste.

I finally gave it a try.

This is one of those combinations you don’t think is going to work until you actually try it. Sometimes the things that surprise you the most end up becoming your favorites.

I personally love the flaky sea salt because I think it brings out the flavors even more. But it’s not for everyone, so try it both ways and decide which you like best.

And of course, a good quality extra virgin olive oil makes all the difference. I used Giannos Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

If you’d like to try it, you can get 15% off with code DYNAMITE at http://Giannos.com.

Have you ever tried olive oil on vanilla ice cream?

07/29/2026

Imagine opening your fridge and finding every meal for the week already prepared.

That’s what my private chef service is designed to do.

Fresh, homemade meals. Organized, labeled, and ready whenever you are. No grocery shopping. No meal planning. No cooking after a long day. Just real food waiting for you.

Every menu is customized to your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, keto, high-protein, vegan, or wholesome family meals, everything is prepared specifically for you and your family.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a growing family, or simply want to eat healthier without the daily stress, this is what having a private chef feels like.

A stocked fridge.
Healthy meals.
More time for what matters.

Now accepting new private chef clients on Long Island, New York.

Keep it simple. Keep it real.

Christina Dynamite

Address

New York, NY

Website

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