Top Six Sweet Greek Treats - Greek Recipes - Greek …greekgateway.com/greek-recipes/top-six-sweet-greek...Top Six Sweet Greek Treats - Greek Recipes - Greek Gateway It’s pretty

Top Six Sweet Greek Treats - Greek Recipes - Greek Gateway

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I’ll admit it: I have a massive sweet tooth.

How I’ve gone nearly three decades of my life without falling victim to a cavity is beyond me. I’dlike to attribute it to flossing, brushing regularly, and good genes, but who really knows?

One thing I do know, however, is that an addictiveness to sweets is not uncommon amongGreeks. As a matter of fact, I’m willing to bet that the majority of readers on this site right nowshare my sentiments toward certain pastries; especially Greek ones. The cavity situation, on theother hand, I’m not too sure of.

If you’re a fan of sugar, honey, nuts, creams, custards, and phyllo, then you fall under the samecategory as myself. They really are a wonderful.

With that being said, I would now like to present to you with a list of my top 6 Greek desserts.And unlike most of my listed features where the items don’t fall in a specific order, the followingare actually ranked based on my liking.

So here they are. Our top six Greek desserts.

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#6: Kourabiedes

Kourabiedes are one of the tastiest Greek desserts you will ever come across. Sometimesmade with brandy, vanilla, or mastika for flavouring, these butter cookies are the talk of the townduring Christmas and baptisms. The main difference between Kourabiedes and your regularshortbread cookies is that these delectable desserts usually contain almonds, and areimmediately rolled in icing sugar upon their removal from the oven. And here’s some free advicefor those of you who have never tried one: try holding your breath when you eat these powderydelights.

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Here’s a video of Irene Mina giving us a quick 6-minute tutorial on how to make Kourabiedes:

#5: Koulourakia (Greek Cookies) Recipe

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Mmmmmmmmm… Koulourakia. So yummy. Especially after you take one for a swim in a cup ofcoffee. These traditional Greek cookies are arguably the most popular ones you will find inbakeries. Typically made around Easter time, these butter-based sweets have a vanilla-liketaste, and are shaped by hand with a shiny egg glaze. Koulourakia can also be recognized bythe sesame seeds which are sometimes sprinkled over top of them, or by their distinctivesnake-like shape. As a matter of fact, I found out when researching about Koulourakia -- (yes,believe it or not I researched these desserts) -- that they are shaped that way because theancient Minoans worshipped snakes for their healing powers. So does this mean that thesecookies can cure the common cold? I promise to put them to the test and report back to all ofyou the next time I get the sniffles.

INGREDIENTS for KOULOURAKIA 1. 1/2 cup butter 2. 1 1/4 sticks crisco or vegetable baking sticks 3. 3 eggs 4. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (lemon or almond extract could be substituted) 5. 2 cups confectioner's sugar 6. 3 teaspoons baking powder 7. 5 cups flour 8. egg wash 9. Jimmies, sprinkles, colored decorating sugars or sesame seeds

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In an electric mixer, mix together butter and Crisco until whipped. 2. Add eggs and extract. 3. Blend in confectioner's sugar. 4. In a separate bowl, whisk together baking powder and flour. 5. Slowly add to butter mixture. 6. Dough should be workable but not too sticky. 7. Roll out dough on to floured surface and braid. 8. (Make and practice a few braids too!) 9. Place on cookie sheet, brush with egg wash and decorate with sesame seeds, sprinklesand sugars. 10. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-18 minutes until lightly golden brown. Let cool on a wirerack.

#4: Baklava

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Baklava is a rich, sweet dessert made with layers of phyllo pastry, and filled with chopped nuts,syrup, and honey. It has been enjoyed throughout early years of antiquity by members of theOttoman and Byzantine Empires, and has a blurred history of Greek, Turkish, and Central Asianorigin. As for the debate as to who were the first to lay claim to this tasty dessert, good luckfinding any solid supportive documentation.

#3: Diples (Thiples)

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Just look at that picture, would ya? How GOOD do those Diples look? Even if you’ve never triedone, how bad do you just want to break off a little piece and eat it? I’m not going to lie, my lovefor Diples is newfound. I recently acquired a taste for these deep fried honey rolls a couple ofyears ago, and ever since then it’s been a love-eat relationship. This pastry is basically a crossbetween a doughnut and a funnel cake, only it’s flavor puts both of those desserts in a leaguefar below that of its own.

Here’s another cooking clip for you. This time, instead of Irene Mina providing the directions andcommentary, we have Eva Papayiannis, who apparently doesn’t believe in measurements.Enjoy…

#2: Galaktoboureko

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It’s pretty safe to say that, for me, Galaktoboureko was the very first Greek dessert I fell in lovewith. This custard filled, honey coated, phyllo-topped pastry is sometimes flavoured with lemonor orange, and is literally one of the few foods in this world that I would do anything for. Noseriously. I would do ANYTHING for a bite of Galaktoboureko. Even if it meant sacrificingdesserts 3 through 6 for the rest of my life, I would do it. Trust me. I’m crazy like that. SEE THE GALAKTOBOUREKO RECIPE HERE #1: Loukoumades

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greek-recipes/galaktobouriko-greek-dessert-recipe


Finally, we have arrived at my favourite Greek dessert of all time. The world-famousLoukoumades, or as North Americans like to call them: Greek Honeyballs! The only differenceis, Greeks don’t go cheap on the honey! These fried balls of dough soaked in syrup are popularall over Greece, and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. And for a little change of pace whenit comes to chowing down on these honeyballs, try adding some Nutella and ice cream into themix. I promise you won't be disappointed! Do you agree or disagree with my taste buds? Let us know how you rank these Greek desserts,and if there are any that we may have missed. By Staff Writer – Jonathan Bliangas Follow Jonathan on Twitter @jbliangas CLICK BELOW TO SEE MORE RECIPES:

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http://twitter.com/#!/jbliangas

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Top Six Sweet Greek Treats - Greek Recipes - Greek …greekgateway.com/greek-recipes/top-six-sweet-greek...Top Six Sweet Greek Treats - Greek Recipes - Greek Gateway It’s pretty