What makes Greek cuisine so special?

Greek cuisine has a tradition dating back over 4,000 years and is integral in the culture of the country. Its flavours change with the season and depending on the region. Overdoing refinement is considered to be against the ‘spirit of the Greek cuisine’.

Greek cooking is based on the “Mediterranean triad”:  wheat, oil from the olive tree and of course wine. Traditional dishes did not include much meat, with fish being more common in coastal regions, although this has now changed, with lamb, poultry and pork used regularly. Beef dishes are less common.

Olive oil, is found in most dishes, and Greek cooking uses a wide variety of vegetables, such as aubergine, and courgette, plus grains such as wheat and barley.  Nuts and honey accompany fruits in many puddings. Greek cuisine uses plenty of flavourings, namely oregano, garlic, dill, laurel, bay basil and thyme. Cheese plays a big part in many kinds of meal, and there are numerous varieties, although the most famous is feta.

Dining out is commonplace in Greece, a chance to meet and greet friends and family and natter over an extended meal. The Taverna or ‘Estiatorio’ can be found everywhere, providing tasty traditional cooking at affordable prices. The Greek love Filo pastry and all sorts of food items are wrapped in it, anything from bite size triangles filled with meat, cheese or fish, to large puffed up chicken, spinach, minced meats and sauce or zucchini pies. The Greeks construct with Filo, in the way that the Italians approach pasta!

Many meals start with a meze or orektiko, an appetiser to go with your first drink; it may be a smorgasbord of various different mouthfuls. The main meal follows, and could consist of numerous specialities, here are a just a few:

Deep-fried vegetables called “tiganita“, “Dakos” a traditional Greek salad, ‘Dolma’, which are grapevine leaves rolled and stuffed with rice and vegetables. Then there is ‘Garides Saganaki’, tasty shrimps in spicy sauce or ‘Skordalia’, a thick puree made of garlic and potato and served with fish.

Well, your mouth should be well and truly watering by now, so why not treat yourself this year to a Greek holiday and enjoy their wonderful cuisine?