By Michelle Ann Gelder
Greek cuisine is your typical Mediterranean cuisine, with influences from Italy and the Middle East. The basic grain is wheat but they have also been known to grow barley. The Greek terrain is favorable for breeding of sheep and goats rather than cattle. Most of the traditions in Greece and the Greek Islands are based on religious characteristics or from paganism. Most of the meals today revolve around traditions, festivals and celebrations. The cuisine is fresh, aromatic and served with a warmth and vigor.
Take a look at some of the exciting dishes you may encounter when choosing to feast on Greek Cuisine.
Greek Wines & Other Alcoholic Beverages
There are many Greek wines to choose from: sweet or dry, rose and white, and red.
Tsipouro- it is very potent alcohol. It is occasionally drunk with ice and a small amount of water to help dilute it.
Ouzo- this is the renowned Greek alcoholic beverage of choice, and is a country trademark.
Mavrodafni- this is a sweet, thick, and dark vino, which is nearly black in color. This is usually consumed for Holy Communion.
Retsina- white wine
Mezedes- (mezes is single) Mezedes are basic appetizers that can be served before or with the main dishes.
Some of the most popular mezedes include:
Tzatziki- Greek yogurt with chopped cucumbers, olive oil, and garlic. Tzatziki is usually used as a dip.
Saganaki- Fried cheese
Keftedakia- Fried beef meatballs
Spanakepitakia – Small spinach pies wrapped in filo pastry with feta cheese
Tiropitakia – Small cheese pies topped with feta or kasseri cheese
Horta – Boiled greens with olive oil, salt and a dash of lemon
Avgolemono This is a soup that may include chicken or other meat, vegetables or fish broth that has been thickened with rice and eggs.
Briam This dish is a delightful combination of potatoes, eggplant, onions, garlic, tomato sauce together with the Greek staple, olive oil.
Dolmadakia Hand-picked large grape leaves filled with fresh rice and onions.
Kalama Rakia – Fried squid with a splash of lemon
Htapodi – This includes pieces of octopus
Feta cheese – Greece is known for their famous feta
Main Dishes
Pastitsio- This dish is similar to spaghetti
Paldakia- Grilled lamb ribs served with lemon
Kokoretsi- This is generally consumed at Easter. It is wrapped and roasted entrails of lamb
Kleftiko- Lamb, which is roasted as a whole carcass, in the outdoors
Moussaka-Casserole dish with eggplant or zucchini, garlic meat sauce and cream cheese and white sauce topping which can be made in a crock pot if you have one. The slow cooker recipes may be slightly different, but will still taste fantastic.
Gyros- Roasted meats generally served with tzatziki sauce, tomato, onions as garnishes on pita bread. This is a famous Greek fast food
Pastitsio- This is a Bchamel sauce casserole of macaroni meat
Greek Salads
Horiatiki Salata A wholesome Greek salad comprised of tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, feta cheese, olive oil and oregano.
Melitzanosalata- eggplant puree with garlic and olive oil.
Greek Desserts
Baklava- this famous pastry is topped with nuts, and drizzled with honey syrup.
Galaktoboureko- a form of layers of custard.
With a wide variety of dishes, no matter what your palate is craving, Greece has a plethora of choices to satisfy your appetite.
About the Author: Michelle is an accomplished season author about family cooking. She just simply delights in sharing with us her ideas and tips on preparing
slow cooker chicken recipes
or possibly
slow cooker recipes
.
Source:
isnare.com
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