Greece: A Taste of Home Cooking

Greek food is at the heart of the Mediterranean diet.  Many Greek recipes date far back into Greek history, and are a testament to the cultural influences that have made Greece what it is today.  Take a tour through Greece's finest gourmet dishes and culinary practices.

The contemporary Greek kitchen is a fusion of the cultures that have occupied Greece throughout history, as well as the cultural influence of neighboring countries such as Italy.  Many of the names and recipes of traditional dishes have evolved to include the traditions of Persia, Turkey and Arabic countries.  The result is an eclectic fusion of Mediterranean flavors and cooking techniques that is known today as traditional Greek cuisine.
 
Greek Appetizers

Appetizers, or Orektika as they are called in Greece, are served with wine or another traditional alcoholic beverage such as Tsipouro or Ouzo.  Greek salads are a traditional first course and come in a variety of fresh vegetable and cheese combinations.  Typical salad seasoning includes olive oil, salt and pepper, basil and oregano.   

Pastries made from filo dough such as Boureki (vegetable and meat filling), Spanakopita (spinach filling), and Tyropita (feta cheese filling) are traditionally served as appetizers.  Pita and bread loafs served with yogurt-based dips are common as well.  Prepared from fresh ingredients in the home and arranged on a table setting for your guests, the dip and bread combo can be a great way to start the meal of a Greek-themed dinner party.

Soups and Stews

Greek soups are a display of creativity and a cooking experience that goes back for centuries.  Soups such as the Avgolemono, made of broth, lemon juice and egg yolks, are used in stew recipes, and in the Middle East, are served as sauce for fish and poultry dishes.  The soup that is internationally recognized as a national Greek food is Fasolada, a mixture of beans, tomatoes, celery, olive oil and carrots.   A lentil soup called Fakes is served for every-day dinner meals and is very common in homes throughout the country.

Entrées

The most widely-used meats in Greek recipes are lamb, beef and pork.  Lamb is traditionally baked with potatoes and comes in a variety of dishes and presentations.  Popular meat entrées include:

Gyros are a popular fast food in Greece that has been spreading as a fast food trend throughout the world.  The Gyro is a pita bread filled with roasted beef, fresh vegetables and other garnishes.  

Moussaka is a stunning casserole made with ground beef or lamb and layered slices of eggplant and tomato, baked and served drenched in tomato sauce.  This sophisticated entrée is a popular presence on family dinner tables and special occasions.    

Souvlaki, as they are called in Greece, are meat, poultry or fish meats grilled on skewers.  The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle mentions Souvlaki in his written work, proving the existence of the food in ancient times.

Desserts

Thick and rich in fat, Greek yogurt topped with honey is a favorite local desert that can be prepared in minutes.  If you prefer sophisticated desserts over simple naturals, Baklava is made of multiple layers of filo dough lined with nuts and drenched in sweet syrup or honey, and is a treat worth biting into.

Quality Ingredients

The Greek home kitchen uses fresh and natural ingredients where possible.  Sea salt is used instead of table salt, fresh herbs are used instead of the dry variety, fresh garlic over powdered.  Olive oil, a key ingredient in most Greek dishes, is best purchased as extra virgin and cold pressed.  The final taste of the food does reflect the state of the ingredients used to prepare it, and using fresh herbs, spices and vegetables will produce a more authentic and rich taste and texture.