Top 10 Most Popular Greek Dishes

March 3, 2015 By GRTadmin

Besides magnificent blue waters and a bright warm sun, Greece is also renowned for its wider Mediterranean cooking culture, distinguished by the simplicity and diversity of the dishes infused with Greek philosophy regarding well-being, the gourmet tastes, and the colors and nutritional value of its ingredients. Virgin olive oil supplements the vast majority of dishes while the Greek countryside provides an abundance of herbs and vegetables that add to the perfection of everything placed on a table. As for the dairy products, such as Greek yoghurt and feta cheese, the wood stove baked bread, the local livestock (e.g. free range goat and sheep), and the fresh fish, they have rightfully earned Greece a special place in the hearts of everyone experiencing hospitality in the land of sun and the Gods!
Food means much more than a nutritional need to the Greeks, which is why you will find dishes made with excessive love and attention, following meticulously cooked starters, called mezedes, and distilled local wine (also retsina, ouzo, and tsipouro), allowing a group of friends or family members have fun and share vivid moments while living the ultimate Greek culinary experience. To help you decide which dishes to try when visiting Greece, here is a top 10 list!

1. MOUSAKA

With aubergines, minced meat, potatoes, and béchamel as its main ingredients, Mousaka is every Greek’s favorite and a very popular dish among fans of excellent cuisine! It is a casserole made famous by legendary chef Nicholas Tselemendes, and is all about layering the ingredients, topping them off with the creamy béchamel sauce, and baking to golden-brown perfection! You can find it in many variations (with any vegetable you like, instead of eggplant, e.g. zucchini). No matter the combination, the result remains delightful to the last bite.

2. LACHANODOLMADES

An intricate taste that enchants almost all your senses, from the smell, to taste, to sight! Cabbage leaf rolls are stuffed with rice and all-natural, local lamb (minced), and topped with a light lemon sauce called “avgolemono” (meaning egg and lemon), made by mixing 2 eggs and the juice of a lemon, or more, if you prefer more acid tastes. Some may add a few tablespoons of corn flour in the sauce to make it thicker and fuller in your mouth. Definitely a winter, hearty meal you just have to try!
Tip: You may also find this dish with grape leaves instead of cabbage, and only rice (no meat). In this case, the dish is called dolmathakia and is a great appetizer, served either warm or cold.

3. LAMB FRICASSEE

It used to be a dish served on the first Monday of the Orthodox Easter and was very popular mainly across South Greece. Made of prime lamb cuts (you may also hear of variations with chicken or kid goat substituting lamb, offering a low-fat meal), lettuce that you cut into small pieces with your hands, chopped onions, plenty of dill (some may also use mint), and avgolemono sauce (meaning sauce with egg and lemon). The result is a soupy dish with tastes and smells from all over Greece!

4. GEMISTA

Indeed, a delicate summer Greek dish cooked in every household more than once a month, or once a fortnight! The classic recipe has green peppers and tomatoes, stuffed with rice, minced meat (many omit the meat and make it perfect for vegetarians and a dish eaten during fasting periods), a plethora of spices and herbs, such as parsley, dill, mint, and pepper, and chopped onions. It is accompanied by potatoes and, of course, olive oil.

5. FASOLATHA

What is a traditional Greek household without fasolatha on the menu at least once a week, in winter? White bean soup like you have never tasted before. It is a simple, nutritious, delicious, and definitely hearty recipe; a staple of any Greek dinner table. You may also have it embellished with fresh vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes while the addition of extra virgin olive oil, fresh tomato juice, and parsley (and sometimes celery) will satisfy your taste buds for sure.

6. LAMB KLEFTIKO

Τhere are many stories regarding the origins of this dish. Some say it was first cooked in the mountainous regions of Greece, others say it is a dish of the northerners. Regardless of origin, lamb kleftiko is simply irresistible. Tender and juicy, melt-in-the-mouth lamb cooked with fluffy potatoes and white (or red) wine, wrapped in parchment paper until the aromas of sweet onions, garlic, juicy tomatoes, roast peppers, and bay leaves inundate the place to the point you can’t restrain yourself anymore!

7. SHRIMP SAGANAKI

One of the most delicious appetizers you could taste in Greece is shrimp saganaki served in every seaside fish tavern around the country. Saganaki is a term used to refer to various local appetizers, prepared in a small, heavy-bottomed (two-handled) frying pan. In shrimp saganaki, medium-to-large-sized prawns are sautéed in extra virgin olive oil and deglazed with ouzo (famous traditional Greek drink), before they are added to spicy tomato sauce and finished off with feta cheese (saulty) and fresh herbs.
Tip: You can find many other foods in Greece cooked in a saganaki pan, such as mussels and cheese.

8. TZATZIKI

Who hasn’t heard of tzatziki and has not associated it with Greece, summer fun days, laid-back fish tavernas, friends and families around a table by the sea, with a glass of ouzo or retsina (local drinks) by the hand, toasting for good health! Made of the world renowned Greek yogurt, sliced cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, tzatziki makes an excellent creamy appetizer that can accompany both fish and meat excellently. It is customary to add some olive oil (Greeks have been cultivating olives for centuries!) and place an olive in the middle, when served!

9. GRILLED MEAT (GYROS)

Spit-roasted and charcoal-drilled meats are a specialty of the Greeks. Traditional souvlaki is Greece’s most loved fast food and has 2 yummy versions: with skewered meat (kid goat or local free-range pork or lamb) or gyros, wrapped in pitta bread, with potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and as much tzatziki as you can take! An enticing explosion of tastes right inside your mouth!

10. FRESH FISH

Surrounded by blue seas, Greece offers a plethora of different dishes of fresh fish. Ever since ancient times, Greeks would sit at a seaside tavern and eat fresh squid (calamari in Greek) or any other fish they had caught from the Aegean or the Mediterranean Sea. Cooked with minimum fuss, fresh fish are not only tasty, but also healthy and nutritious. You can have them grilled or lightly fried (for smaller fish, such as whitebait) and drizzled with a lemon-olive oil dressing (ladolemono). Absolutely divine!

Kali Oreksi!

Why Is Greek Yogurt Better Than the Rest

February 19, 2015 By GRTadmin

Much is said and many more is written about the health benefits of Greek yogurt and whether Greek yogurt is indeed superior to other regular ones. In between conflicting viewpoints, there lies the truth; the bare facts. Facts that you only get from an insider, who can back up everything coming out of their mouth or the tips of their hands with substantial evidence and undeniable facts. Without further ado, here we go!

PROCESS OF MAKING GREEK YOGURT

Just like any yogurt, milk is first heated, then cooled to a fermentation temperature between 41°C and 46°C before the maker adds bacterial cultures. Then, the mixture is left to ferment, so the bacteria can grow and produce gels and lactic acid. And, voila, you have yogurt! However, in Greek yogurt making, yogurt is strained to the point where all lactose and liquid whey are completely removed, which leaves you with a thinker-textured product. And, THAT is only part of the secret that lies behind the Greek yogurt having an undeniable edge.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEK YOGURT

Since Greek yogurt contains less water, compared to regular varieties, it does not only have a thicker consistency and tangier flavour, but also fewer calories and more protein per serving, among others. In detail:

1. Protein

Greek yogurt contains 15-20 grams of protein per typical 6-ounce serving. This equals the amount of 2-3 ounces of lean meat. That does not only help promote fullness but also makes yogurt an especially appealing product to vegetarians that long to get enough of nutrient.
The same amount of regular yogurt will provide you with 9 grams of protein, which means it won’t be long before you feel hungry and start looking in your cupboards to see what’s next to eat.

2. Carbohydrates

Those into low-carb diets will find going Greek a superb choice as Greek yogurt contains 5-8 grams of carbs, which is approximately half the carbs you will get from a regular kind (13-17 grams). Moreover, as the process of making Greek yogurt involves the removal of some of the milk sugar, it is much less likely you will get any undesired incidences related to lactose intolerance. What is more, those with a sensitivity to carbs or following a low-carb diet, such as people with diabetes, Greek yogurt is your ticket.

Important Notice:

At this point, it should be noted that opting for sweetened yogurts, either with a sweetening agent or sugar, means you get more carbs, so it is best you choose yogurt with the least added sugar available.
Also, you should pay attention to nutrition labels and stick to fat-free or low-fat Greek yogurt to avoid unnecessary intake of saturated fats that are present in every type of yogurt.

3. Sodium

Everybody knows that too much salt does nothing but harm to our health. It can boost blood pressure, which in turn, increases the risk of heart failure significantly. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, Americans are urged to consume up to 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day (for older than 50 or those with diabetes/hypertension, chronic kidney disease, the sodium intake is 1,500 milligrams). You will find 50 milligrams of sodium in a Greek yogurt serving (though you can find brands with lower sodium versions) while most brands of regular yogurt have about twice that amount.

OTHER BENEFITS OF GREEK YOGURT

1. Excellent Versatility

Many use Greek yogurt to substitute sour cream and milk, because of its rich taste and thick texture. Others even use it for baking. You can make a healthy cake for the kids to take to school with yogurt instead of milk and you’ve got a healthy dessert. Also, Greek yogurt is the main ingredient of many delicious dishes and appetizers, such as the famous tzatziki. You can eat great Greek tzatziki at Greek restaurants like Pappas Grill or you can easily make it at home by adding Greek yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of vinegar and salt and there you go! A tasty, healthy, traditional Greek food!

2. Probiotics

Greek yogurt contains live microorganisms called probiotics which are known for their beneficial effects on the immune system and digestive function. Probiotics are also believed to help limit the effects related to antibiotic treatment.

3. Is one of the 6 best foods you could eat!

According to director of nutrition for WebMD, Kathleen M. Zelman, one of the 6 best foods most people are not eating is plain, fat-free Greek yogurt. From the many yogurts available on the market, Greek is a standout. Why? Because although all yogurts are excellent sources of protein, potassium, calcium, and vitamins B and B12, Greek yogurt is tastier, has twice the protein content of other regular yogurts, which is great for weight control, is lower in lactose, and contains probiotic cultures with all the aforementioned benefits. Now, if you pair Greek yogurt with your favourite whole grain cereal and fresh fruit, you have just made yourself (and your family) a nutrition-packed meal with enhanced health effects.

FINAL NOTES

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers from Harvard, found that yogurt can help you control your age-related weight better than any other food. It is estimated, that if you add a daily serving of yogurt in your diet, you’ll lose up to 1 pound every 4 years, mainly because of the effect the bacteria have on your intestines.
If you decide to go Greek, mix it with seasonings (e.g. parsley, dill, garlic) and create delicious dips for cucumber slices, celery sticks, or carrots. You can also make your tacos with Greek yogurt and avoid sour cream. Additionally, you may want to substitute oil and eggs in baked foods with Greek yogurt. Finally, you can easily skip all the fatty ingredients (e.g. butter, mayonnaise, and cream cheese) as the Greek yogurt’s thick texture makes it an excellent swap in dishes like egg salad, potato salad, and coleslaw, as well as sandwiches, among other comfort foods.

Coming from a Greek in heart and origin, Greek yogurt has won people’s hearts for all the things mentioned herein, but it all begins with the pure and profound love farmers have for their cows, sheep, and goats (their animals are their family, so those that have taken it seriously are careful of what they eat and how they live). The commitment family-brands have for sticking to traditional recipes as passed on by their ancestors. The dedication of small dairy companies to provide their children (and the children of the world) with something healthy to eat; something prepared with love and respect, for the environment, for people.

Who can beat that?

SOURCES:

1. Hiatt, Kurtis and Haupt, Angela (2011). “Greek Yogurt Vs. Regular Yogurt: Which Is More Healthful?”. US. NEWS: HEALTH.
2. Schwader, Ashley (2013). “Benefits of Greek Yogurt”. LiveStrong.
3. California Dairy Research Foundation. “USProbiotics Home”.
4. Brody, Jane (2011). “Still Counting Calories? Your Weight-Loss Plan May Be Outdated”. The New York Times.
5. Zelman, Cathleen (2011). “6 Best Foods You’re Not Eating”. WebMD.

Top Five Greek Desserts to Die For

February 3, 2015 By GRTadmin

Apart from philosophy and architecture, the Greeks are also famous for their sweet tooth! Over the centuries, they have developed a range of mouth-watering desserts. Thanks to cultural exchange and globalization, these Greek delicacies are now popular over the world. Greek desserts contain an abundance of nuts, creams, fruits and honey. Here is a list of the top five Greek desserts that will melt the heart of even the most hardened food critic.

Balkava

greek baklava dessert The Greeks gave the Baklava, which has Byzantine origin, a twist of their own. The Baklava is the most popular of all Greek desserts. In Greece, Baklava is also made from filo, like its Turkish counterpart. It consists a cinnamon-flavored filling of nuts (walnuts, almonds and pistachio). Sometimes, the Baklava is drenched in lemon scented sugar syrup or honey.

Food for thought: Did you know that in Greece, Baklava is made with 33 layers of filo, in remembrance of the 33 years of the Christ’s life

Other filo-based Greek desserts include the Galactaboureko (custard pie), Bougatsa me Krema (breakfast pastry) and Kolokythopita (pumpkin pie).

Karidopita (Greek walnut cake)

Karidopita Greek dessert If you like walnut cake, you will love this Greek version of one of the world’s favourite desserts. In Greece, the walnut cake or Karidopita is made from bread crumbs (instead of dough) and is fused with a syrup containing powdered clove, a combination guaranteed to make your mouth water. You can serve the dish with chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream to make it more appetizing!

Melomakarona (Greek honey cookies)

Greek Melomakarona Dessert Melomakarona is the best known Greek cookie. It is an oil-based (olive oil or corn oil) semolina or flour cookie, flavored with brandy and orange. Once the cookies are baked, they are dipped in honey syrup and garnished with a topping of chopped walnuts. The cookies are usually baked around Christmas, but don’t let that stop you from giving the recipe a try. Note that Melomakarona should not be refrigerated as it hardens the cookies. Store them in room temperature inside an airtight container.

Greek lemon cake

Greek lemon cake dessery Though you may not associate cake with Greece, the Greeks served the first lemon cake. The Greek lemon cake contains lemon juice, lemon zest, Greek yogurt and eggs. The result is a moist, soft and creamy cake with a lingering lemony flavor. Make sure that you do not substitute Greek yogurt with normal yogurt. Greek yogurt does not consist whey.

Ryzogalo (Greek rice pudding)

Ryzogalo Greek pudding dessert Ryzogalo is made from short grain rice, granulated sugar, whole milk, cornstarch, egg yolks and ground cinnamon. Ryzogalo is a creamy pudding (it sometimes looks more like cream than pudding). It is the easiest Greek dessert to make at home because it does not require any special, rare or seasonal ingredients and can be prepared in as little as 35 minutes.

The list, featuring a filo-based pie, a cookie, cakes and pudding, is just a small part representing the vast Greek cuisine. There are many other scrumptious Greek desserts waiting for you to be savored.