Greek Food: The Elixir of Life – 9 Greek Dishes you Must Try
The world recognizes Greek cuisine for its top-quality ingredients, rich culinary heritage, and varied flavor combinations. Skilled chefs have preserved this unique culinary tradition for many years.
Greek chefs have gained international recognition for their innovative take on traditional Greek cuisine. Through dynamic techniques and the use of high-quality ingredients, they have revived ancient recipes with new and exciting combinations. Discover more about Greek cuisine, which has become a celebrated high-culinary destination known for its exciting and elegant culinary experience.
Culinary Influences in Greek Cuisine
Greek cuisine is famous for its delectable tastes that mirror the country’s cultural and culinary history. Although Greek chefs have been using herbs such as thyme, oregano, basil, and mint for centuries, they also infuse spices that originate from the Byzantine tradition brought by immigrants from Asia Minor.
The diverse cuisine of the country is due to immigration and has various recipes influenced by its complex culture. Some examples of these dishes are keftedes (savory meatballs), soutzoukakia (meatballs in tomato sauce with cumin), atzem pilaf (lamb with rice), and a variety of rice dishes.
Health Benefits of Greek Cuisine
The Greek diet is undeniably healthy, as it consists of numerous starters and main courses that are packed with essential vitamins derived from veggies, fruits, and fish. It is essential to mention the health benefits of Greek cuisine while discussing it. In the footsteps of Ancient Greece, Greek food highly emphasizes vegetables, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians. Commonly, meat dishes are served independently from the primary course. Despite contemporary Greek cuisine having more meat options, proteins can still be derived from seafood, beans, and other lean sources.
Local Cuisine: Crete – the elixir of life
Crete is a Mediterranean island known for its captivating culture, rich history, stunning landscapes, and friendly locals. Its incredible cuisine is also becoming more renowned, providing a memorable gastronomical experience for visitors. Upon arrival, you’ll be met with a wonderful fragrance of herbs such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, and dittany blended with the salty sea air, which will guide you on an enthralling culinary journey.
Local Cuisine: Aegean
The Aegean Islands are well-known for their distinct terrain which results from a combination of sunshine, sea, and cool winds. Each island has a unique microclimate that produces exclusive local products. Most famous Aegean islands are Santorini and Mykonos. The Cyclades islands are especially popular among culinary enthusiasts who come to learn about and appreciate Greek cuisine, in addition to regular tourists.
Local Cuisine: Epirus, Thessaly, Peloponnese
If you visit the northern region of Thessaly, you can savor the amazing and enigmatic local cuisine that is made from organic vegetables and excellent charcuterie produced by small-scale farmers. The unique taste of this cuisine cannot be found anywhere else. Meanwhile, Epirus, which is situated in the west, is a mountainous region famous for its exceptional cuisine. The pies, which were initially created by roaming farmers and shepherds, are a proof of their culinary distinction.
You can visit Peloponnese and enjoy its scrumptious produce, such as the oranges grown in Laconia’s orchards and the citrus fruits used to add flavor to sausages and stews in Mani.
Famous Greek Dishes to Taste
1. Bougatsa
Bougatsa is a dessert made by filling phyllo pastry with semolina custard. It is mainly known in northern Greece but is becoming more famous all over the country. When purchased from a roadside vendor, it is usually sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon to add flavor.
2. Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Dolmadakia is a popular Greek appetizer that showcases the mastery of the multifaceted Greek cuisine. These small dolmades are created by stuffing grape leaves with a mixture of rice and ground lamb or beef (and sometimes both). To enhance the flavor, they are typically consumed with lemon wedges and can be enjoyed even further with tzatziki or plain yogurt.
3. Greek Salad (Choriatiki)
For a truly authentic meal, you should include a Greek salad. This salad consists of tomatoes, olives, cucumber, onion, and a large piece of feta cheese. You can dress it with olive oil and add vinegar, salt, and oregano for extra flavor. Not only is this salad perfect as an appetizer, but it also makes a delicious side dish.
4. Keftedes (Meatballs)
Try out the delicious combination of tender texture and crispy exterior in the Greek meatball known as Keftedes. While it’s commonly served as an appetizer with pita bread and a creamy sauce, it also makes a delectable main course when paired with basmati rice and feta salad.
5. Moussaka
You can find this dish in almost all tavernas across Greece. It is made of tender minced beef cooked in a tomato sauce, served with eggplants and topped with a luxurious béchamel sauce.
6. Souvlaki
Souvlaki is a Greek dish that consists of skewered meat, often pork or chicken, that can be served wrapped in pita bread or on its own. Along with tzatziki sauce, it’s a popular street food in Greece that comes in various flavors based on the type of meat used. Locals use “Souvlaki” to describe any variation of this dish.
7. Spanakopita
Spanakopita is a classic Greek spinach pie known for its exceptional flavor and versatility. It can be enjoyed at any time of the day and is made using savory ingredients like feta cheese, butter, olive oil, and more.
9. Tzatziki
To create the various versions of a scrumptious dip or sauce commonly made by home cooks, you will require strained yogurt that has been thickened, along with some garlic and olive oil. Additionally, you can add fresh dill for extra taste.
Despite involving multiple ingredients, this traditional Greek condiment is remarkably simple to prepare and offers a delightful addition to any event.
