Eat like a Greek

I have had a really strong urge the past few days to eat kolokithopita. Strange you may say but after scan reading through the local supermarket flier my eyes fell upon the kolokithia (courgette/zucchini), fresh, luscious green kolokithia. It’s one of the numerous Greek dishes I love.

The Greek cuisine is intense. From the spices and herbs used to each and every ingredient in the recipe, from its execution to the time of preparation, but the end result is extraordinary. I think countless people will agree with me when I say it’s one of the best cuisines in the world.

Many of the Greek dishes are based upon meat but you will find various ones that consist of vegetables which are mainly eaten during lent, but also a great alternative for the day’s meat just doesn’t tickle your fancy. Popular Greek meat dishes known worldwide are souvlaki, moussaka, gyros, meatballs and many other variations made with chicken, pork, beef etc. Vegetarian dishes include gemista, different bean dishes like fasolakia and gigandes, arakas and briam. In traditional and modern day kitchens Greeks tend to also have a side dish, bread bought fresh every morning is a must, sometimes a salad and feta cheese or a Greek cheese of some sort. In addition Greek desserts are essential, sweet & syrupy puddings such as baklava, ravani, karidopita, phyllo pastry pies like bougatsa, galaktoboureko and ranges of cookies. They are all eaten at any time during the day, whether it’s breakfast, after dinner, in the afternoon with coffee or in the evening.

                                SOUVLAKI (GREEK FAST FOOD)                                    GEMISTA

                 GREEK BAKLAVA                         

Personally I have tried out cooking a lot of dishes myself and thoroughly enjoy eating them as they always turn out great, I think most of the food I eat these days has it’s touch of Greek flavouring in there somewhere. Some of my best loved are pastitsio (similar to lasagna), eggs cooked in red sauce, pork chops roasted Greek style and fakes (lentils). Here are some photo’s I happened to take after making some of the meals.

PASTITSIO

EGGS COOKED IN RED SAUCE

PORK CHOP WITH GREEK STYLE ROAST POTATOES, ONION AND RED PEPPER

ROAST CHICKEN LEG WITH ORANGE AND LEMON

OREGANO CHICKEN WITH ROAST POTATOES AND FETA

CHICKEN AND RICE PILAF

PORTOKALOPITA WITH PHYLLO PASTRY

GREEK YOGHURT BREAKFAST WITH FRUIT

Greek food is loved by many, cooked always with enthusiasm and devoured with passion. My tip is when in Greece “Eat like a Greek”!