Greek food isn’t all about olive oil, olives, fish and Ouzo. Actually, Greek cuisine is a rich culinary mix of Balkan and Mediterranean food. Keep reading if you wanna learn more!
How about we talk a little bit about the past? Ancient Greece is popular as the home of culinary art in Europe. Did you know that the first cook book appeared namely in Greece? Although the food back then was much scarcer, it wasn’t so much different from today. Contemporary cooks like to use olive oil, different grains, veggies, herbs, bread, fish, meat (especially lamb) and – last but not least – wine.
Speaking of Greek cuisine, we think of spices. Oh, yes - these people definitely know how to combine food and herbs! Back in history, thyme was considered one of the most popular Greek spices. Of course, today it still is and Greeks never skip it. Other things they put in the meals are peppermint, garlic, oregano, fennel, bay-leaves and basil, of course. A lot of people use “sweet” herbs like cinnamon or clove to marinate meat, which gives it a wonderful flavor.
In order to prove that Greek cuisine can serve anybody (no matter a vegetarian or not!), let’s see some of the most popular dishes in each category:
Speaking of Greek cuisine, we think of spices. Oh, yes - these people definitely know how to combine food and herbs! Back in history, thyme was considered one of the most popular Greek spices. Of course, today it still is and Greeks never skip it. Other things they put in the meals are peppermint, garlic, oregano, fennel, bay-leaves and basil, of course. A lot of people use “sweet” herbs like cinnamon or clove to marinate meat, which gives it a wonderful flavor.
In order to prove that Greek cuisine can serve anybody (no matter a vegetarian or not!), let’s see some of the most popular dishes in each category:
- Cheers to appetizers! Greeks enjoy boureki (vegetables and meat in dough), tiganita (fried vegetables), Greek salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, Feta cheese, olives, olive oil and lemon juice), melitzanosalata (salad with an aubergine) and more.
- You want a soup? You must try borou-borou (veggie soup with macaroni), fasolada (bean soup with tomatoes, carrots and plenty of olive oil), psarosoupa (fish soup).
- In case you don’t eat meat, don’t worry! What you can get from Greece is: spanakorizo (spinach with stewed rice), tzatziki (read more about it here) and others.greek
- Of course, there are lots of meat dishes like moussaka, keftedes (fried meat with oregano and peppermint), etc.
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Cheese, cheese, cheese! No meal in Greece can go without some myzithra, graviera, feta or halloumi cheese!
- Good news: most Greek desserts can be healthy because they consist of honey instead of sugar. You must know about baklava, koulouri, touloumbaki, revani.
