Greek Recipes

Perhaps more than any other country, the foods of Greece are indelibly intertwined with its political history. Explore the evolution of the Greek cuisine and regional differences, and learn why and how to bring the benefits of Greek food to your table.

The foods of ancient Greece were varied, with a concentration on vegetables, legumes, fruits, and fish - although meat was also eaten. Meats were roasted on spits, cooked in ovens, and boiled. Fish was often cooked with cheese. Wine was watered down and sometimes garlic was added. The technique to make the very thin phyllo dough had been discovered sometime around the 4th century B.C.E., so it's likely that sweets like baklava were also eaten - but no sugar! Honey was the traditional sweetener, as were figs and products made from naturally sweet grapes. According to the Alimentary Habits in Ancient Greece, the oldest known recipe is for slices of fish cooked with cheese and oil. Measurements were vague since it was presumed that a good cook would know the correct amounts. Men did the roasting of meats over coals or on spits (ancient barbecues), and women did the baking, boiling, and oven cooking.

The Greeks love to eat. (Who doesn't). It's not like Mexican. Nothing is so spicy you can't eat it and the seasonings they use are the very same ones you have on the spice shelf in your Kitchen. And unlike the crappy oil that terrorizes the hearts of many Americans, Olive oil is good for you and will keep you alive long after many of your friends have taken the next step in their spiritual evolution. Read more on http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/576031/2

The Greek food throughout its history and continuing today is for the Greeks a philosophy, they know that what makes a perfect feast is not just the food but also the good company. Food is nearly always prepared with the tastes of the guests in mind, should the dishes be roasted or fried, light or heavy? And the wine carefully chosen. Much of the conversation at the dinner table centers amicably around the food. The freshness of the fish, having just leapt from the sea; the vegetables newly dug from the ground or picked from the vines of the local farmers. The host will want to proudly point out how they have attempted to provide the best and freshest produce for you to enjoy.