Meet Ivy Elena – 1 Greek-Italian Home Cook with 2 Kids & 100 Family Recipes
Hi there! I’m Ivy Elena — a Greek-Italian home cook, mom of two, and the heart behind Smartest Recipes. I’m a lifelong food lover who believes in cooking smarter, eating better, and keeping joy at the center of every meal (even on the busiest weeknights).
My story starts with a love story. My dad came to the U.S. from Greece, my mom from Italy. They met in New York over coffee and cannoli — and the rest is delicious history. I was raised in a tiny kitchen that always smelled like something simmering — exactly where a Greek-Italian home cook learns best.. Olive oil, oregano, basil, garlic — our family dinners were a blend of both cultures, passed down one recipe at a time. These meals are the kind every Greek-Italian home cook keeps close — familiar, rich, and filled with history. I didn’t just learn how to cook. I learned how to feed people with love.
After my third child was born, life shifted. The office job faded into the background, and I returned to what grounded me: bubbling pots, handwritten recipes, and my mom’s famous tomato sauce. That’s how Smartest Recipes began — a second kitchen where I could preserve the flavors of my heritage, share simple meals for busy households, and tell the stories behind every dish.
Many of the recipes you’ll find here are inspired by my mom, my Yiayia (Greek grandma), and Sunday dinners that stretched long into the evening. Others come from my best friends — one vegan, one gluten-free — because every table should feel welcoming. And for a Greek-Italian home cook like me, hospitality is always at the center of the plate.
You’ll also find a few ingredients that go beyond my kitchen. I still use Greek mountain oregano passed down from my dad’s village, and I always keep a jar of homemade lemon syrup in the fridge, just like my mom did.
One of my favorite parts of being a Greek-Italian home cook is blending cultures in ways that feel both comforting and new. I might drizzle honey over ricotta toast with a dash of cinnamon or serve lentil soup alongside crusty focaccia. Cooking this way reminds me that food isn’t just tradition — it’s evolution. It’s how I honor my roots while still feeding my very modern, very hungry family. And nothing makes me happier than hearing someone say, “This tastes like home.”
Smartest Recipes isn’t just a blog — it’s a growing community of home cooks who care about food, stories, and connection. I love hearing from readers who tried my Yiayia’s moussaka for the first time or adapted my mom’s chicken cacciatore to fit their own traditions. Whether you’re a beginner or a fellow Greek-Italian home cook, I hope you’ll find inspiration here. It reminds me why I started this in the first place: to make recipes that feel accessible, adaptable, and filled with heart. If a dish makes your evening easier or your dinner table warmer, then I’ve done my job.
What you’ll find on Smartest Recipes:
- Honest, family-tested recipes that actually work
- Comfort food with a Mediterranean twist (yes, we grate parmesan over everything)
- Step-by-step photos and real-life kitchen tips
- A few laughs, some storytelling, and a whole lot of heart
Whether you’re a brand-new home cook or a seasoned kitchen queen, you’re welcome here. No judgment — just good food, made smarter.
When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll find me at the farmer’s market, cheering from the sidelines of a soccer game, or texting my mom to confirm if she really does put cinnamon in her meatballs (spoiler: she absolutely does).
The name Smartest Recipes? That came from my daughter, who once said, “Mom, you always know the smartest way to make dinner taste better.” I smiled, wrote it down, and the rest — like everything in this kitchen — is a story worth sharing.
Let’s Stay in Touch
Got a question? Want to share your version of a recipe? Or just say hi? I’d love that.
- Contact me here
- Subscribe to the newsletter – Recipes, kitchen tips, and family food stories
- Follow on Facebook & Pinterest
Thank you for being here. From my kitchen to yours — welcome to Smartest Recipes.
With warmth and good food,
Ivy Elena