![\"Foods](\"https:\/\/www.lionsdeal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/greek-cuisine_resize.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Greek Cuisine<\/strong><\/p>\n Ethnic food is all the rage at the moment. We\u2019ve already discussed internationally flavored breakfasts<\/a> and Southwestern cuisine<\/a>, so now it\u2019s time to put the focus on Greek cuisine. With its heart-friendly ingredients and unique dishes, along with amazing taste and fabulous flavors, Greek cuisine has been enticing foreigners and natives alike for many years. Here, you will find all you need to know about the history of Greek cuisine, as well as the spices and elements that will make it a hit at your next catered event.<\/p>\n History of Greek Cuisine<\/strong><\/p>\n Greece, located in the southeast of Europe, has a rich history and culture that permeates throughout the country. Though Greek cuisine has evolved significantly over the course of Greece\u2019s history, many traditional dishes are still popular today. Typical Greek cuisine is derived from a general Mediterranean palette and consists of what is known as the \u201cMediterranean Triad<\/a>\u201d: grains\/wheat, olives\/ olive oil, and grapes\/wine. The olives and olive oil in particular; and fruits, vegetables, honey, and fish in general, are the pillars of Greek cuisine, and these foods combined, have made Greece to be known as the birthplace of one of the healthiest diets in the world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the times of ancient Greece, the Greeks typically dined on three meals a day: breakfast, followed by a mid-day meal, and then an evening meal. Breakfast consisted of a few light dishes, such as bread dipped in wine, with an assortment of olives or figs to accompany it. The mid-day meal was also light, focusing on small, enticing cooked dishes, such as a vegetable stews, along with cheese, bread, and salad, which made the evening meal the most important meal of the day. Dinner consisted of dishes that included a variety of ingredients, such as beans, lentils, wheat and fish, as well as an assortment of meats, and salads.<\/p>\n Not much has changed in the Greek diet the course of their culinary history, though there is one big difference. In ancient times, utensils were rarely used, and the most common dishes were eaten with one\u2019s fingers. While a few dishes are still eaten in this manner, most lovers of Greek cuisine use a knife and a fork. As for the similarities between then and now, they are too numerous to count. Much like Greece itself, the intricacies of Greek cuisine have endured over time: olive oil is still included in almost every dish, wine is always offered, and families and friends are still important ingredients in any meal-based gathering.<\/p>\n Essence of Greek Cooking<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to olive oil, Greek cuisine tends to use a wide variety of exotic and different spices<\/a> to accentuate the dishes. Most of the spices are available anywhere in the world and they include mint, basil, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, oregano, and saffron. Coriander, also known as cilantro, is used in a variety of dishes that range from marinades for lamb and beef, to hummus and baked dishes. Oregano, one of the most popular spices, is also paired with marinades, and is used in salads, as well. Greek cuisine also makes use of za\u2019atar (pronounced zah-tar), an aromatic spice blend that combines toasted sesame seeds, dried thyme, dried marjoram, and sumac. This intoxicating blend incorporates a variety of herby flavors in a pungent, olive green combination that is as delicious as it is multi-purpose.<\/p>\n Start with Soup: Fassolatha<\/strong><\/p>\n There are literally hundreds of amazing Greek dishes to choose from, though some particularly popular dishes stand above the rest. Start your Greek-themed meal with Fassolatha, a satisfying and robust white bean soup that uses many traditional ingredients. Here\u2019s an easy recipe from the Spicy Greek<\/a> website, to kick off your meal with style.<\/p>\n Ingredients<\/u><\/p>\n Directions<\/u><\/p>\n Offer a Variety of Meat-Based Greek Dishes<\/strong><\/p>\n Moussaka and souvlaki, probably the most popular Greek dishes, are bound to please any palate. Moussaka is a traditional casserole using eggplant and spiced meat, while souvlaki is basically the Greek version of the Middle Eastern kebab. Souvlaki, which is having a definite moment and is appearing at street fairs everywhere, is made of meat \u2013 or sometimes fish \u2013 marinated in lemon juice<\/a>, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper and grilled on skewers. Since souvlaki has become popular as a fast food, chicken, lamb, fish and vegetarian versions are also not that hard to find. Tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and peppers are traditionally served as part of the dish, either fresh on the side, grilled on the side, or threaded onto the skewers and grilled with the meat.<\/p>\n Tzatziki, a cold sauce of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, and lemon juice is also a traditional accompaniment to souvlaki, as is tahini sauce. Souvlaki is almost always served with or in a grilled pita. Though this sandwich is sometimes referred to as a gyro or souvlaki gyro, \u201cgyro\u201d actually refers to a massive roast cooked on a slowly-turning vertical spit, which is then thinly sliced and served in pita. The Difference Between<\/a> website describes how gyros and souvlaki differ and no self-respecting Greek caterer would confuse the two.<\/p>\n Papoutsakia<\/strong><\/p>\n Extra juicy and absolutely delicious, papoutsakia, an eggplant-based traditional Greek recipe, is related to moussaka but special in its own way. Melitzanes papoutsakia (stuffed eggplant) is a Greek dish that gets its name from its resemblance to little shoes. To prepare this delicious stuffed eggplant dish, the eggplants are first seasoned and baked until soft and sweet and then stuffed with a delicious tomato based meat sauce, topped with a white sauce and baked to golden perfection. An alternative topping is a creamy potato puree. Either way, your guests will be impressed.<\/p>\n Greek and Meatless<\/strong><\/p>\n Dolmades<\/strong><\/p>\n They sound exotic but they\u2019re just stuffed grape leaves, and they\u2019re an easy-to-make appetizer<\/a> or side dish that will please your clients and their guests.<\/p>\n Ingredients<\/u><\/p>\n Instructions<\/u><\/p>\n Saganaki<\/u><\/p>\n Saganaki is fried cheese, cooked in a traditional Greek pan called a sagani. If you don’t have or can’t find a sagani, you can use a small paella pan<\/a>, a cast-iron skillet, or an oval au gratin dish. Saganaki is a divine treat for cheese lovers; it has only two ingredients \u2013 cheese and flour \u2013 and it\u2019s fried until a nice golden crust is formed and it becomes semi-melted inside. The key to preparing great saganaki is using the right cheese, one that will hold up well against the heat. The cheeses that are traditionally used in saganaki recipes are Greek cheeses such as graviera and kefalotyri, which are hard yellow cheeses, while regional variations may use halloumi cheese.<\/p>\n Greek Desserts<\/strong><\/p>\n No matter what you serve at the end of a Greek-themed buffet, baklava, galaktoboureko<\/a>, or bougatsa, you can expect it to be a combination of honey, phyllo, nuts, and, often, a rich custard. For all the healthfulness of the Mediterranean diet in general and Greek cuisine in particular, the Greeks like their desserts sweet and rich \u2013 the perfect ending to a perfect meal.<\/p>\n![\"Foods](\"https:\/\/www.lionsdeal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/greek-cuisine3_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
\n
![\"Dolamdes](\"https:\/\/www.lionsdeal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/greek-cuisine1_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
![\"Healthy](\"https:\/\/www.lionsdeal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/greek-cuisine2_resized.jpg\")
<\/p>\n