Greece

Where is Greece?

• Country in Europe• Surrounded by Ionian

and Aegean Sea• Albania, Macedonia,

and Bulgaria located on top

• Capitol is Athens

Foreign Elements/Impact

• Food influenced by East and West• Arab Influences

o Cumino Cinnamono Allspiceo Cloves

• Romans brought food from Italyo Pastao Sauces

Foreign Elements/Impact cont.

• Persians introduced Middle Eastern Foods:o yogurto riceo sweets made of nutso honeyo sesame seeds

• Turks introduced coffee• Potatoes brought from New World

           

Mainland Greece

• 80% of Greece is Mountainous (goat/lamb)• The Pindus (mountains) across center of country• Three different climates

o Mediterranean climate-wet winters/dry summerso Alpine climate-coldo Temperate climate-temperate 

• Surrounded by water (fishing) 

Crete• Largest island of Greece• Very mountainous (goat/lamb)• Climate is temperate• Very humid•  Surrounded by water (fishing)

Mainland vs. Crete

• Feta not made/popular in Crete•  Ingredients similar/recipes different• EX: Chaniotiko Boureki cooked in only Crete • Greek cuisine=Italy, Balkans, Turkey, and Levant

Dishes

• Chaniotiko Boureki (CRETE):o baked potatoes,zucchini, myzithra o cheese and mint) 

   • Souvlaki (ATHENS): Skewered grilled meat

Cooking Vessels & Utensils

A few necessary items in a Greek kitchen include:• briki-to make Greek coffee• bottle opener- for wine• fish knife- for cleaning fish• olive oil can- for the counter top• kitchen twine- for tying poultry or lamb• skewers- for making souvlaki

Herbs & Spices

• Used: whole or flaked • Seen as: stems, pods, seeds, leaves• Used either fresh or dried

    

Common Herbs & Spices

Herbs & spices mostly commonly used: • Cumin• Cinnamon• Allspice• Cloves•  Oregano • Thyme• Majoram• Nutmeg• Bay Leaves• Basil• Chamomile • Rosemary

Flavor Combinations

Common flavor combinations found in Greek food:•  salt/pepper• oregano• oliveoil• garlic• feta• wine• dill• olives

 These at least two of these items can be found in every Greek dish, usually paired with a meat or vegetable.

Grains

Grains most commonly used:  • Bread Loaves (wheat) or Easter Bread• Pasta (wheat)• Rice

Fats

Fats most commonly used:

• Olive oil (primary)

Protein

Protein most commonly used:• Fish and shellfish• Lamb• Chicken• Pork

Protein

How they are prepared:• grilled• fried• baked • stewed

Vegetables

Common vegetables used:• potatoes• eggplant• tomatoes• green beans• okra• onions

Vegetables

Techniques used:• raw• mixed in a salad• stuffed with rice or meats •  

Special Cooking Techniques

 Cooking techniques• Slow baking (moussaka)• Grilling (souvlaki) 

 

Special Cooking Equipment

Equipment• deep baking/casserole dish• hot plate

Breakfast

Breado sweet bread (tsoureki)o cheese pie (tiropita)o bread ring (koulori)

MilkCoffee

Lunch: Biggest Meal Mezedes (appetizers)SaladMain Course• meat• fish• baked dish

BreadDessert• cakes or pastries with coffee• fruit

Tea -Vrathino

Begins 8.30 - 9.00 PMAt home• omelette• vegetables• salads• bread• fruit

 At tavern, you eat lunch style

Food Etiquette

• Food served in multiple courses• Dance • Arrive 30 minutes late• Share food