The terrain of the country is very favorable for the care of sheep. Consequently, this makes for an abundance of meat dishes of lamb. Are common throughout the country ragù lamb and vegetables. The fish dishes are most common in coastal areas and in the Greek islands.

The most famous dish of Greek cuisine, and the countries of the region, is the mezze. This dish is a set of appetizers or starters usually served with ouzo. Used a variety of sauces or dips with bread called pita. In some regions takes a dry bread called paximadi that is hydrated in water.

The most famous dishes of Greek cuisine is the moussaka, which is a kind of lasagna that used eggplant instead of pasta for the separation of the layers. It is considered that the moussaka is the antecedent of the lasagna.

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Greek festivals are full of tradition and culture. Many cities hold Greek festivals yearly for people to experience pieces of the rich culture. These festivals are exciting family events with raffles, jewelry, music and shopping. Families can dance to Greek folk music and learn from artifacts of ancient Greece.

Food is an enormous attraction at Greek festivals because of the many tasty traditional dishes.

Have fun trying as many different dishes as you can. They are sure to be delicious and filling.

Baklava
Baklava (bahk-lah-VAH) is a sweet pastry made of Greek filo dough. Forty layers of the dough are stacked high and brushed with butter, nuts and spices.

The pastry is then drizzled with honey syrup. After baking, baklava can be served in small cupcake cups at festivals.

Gyro Sandwich

Gyros (YEAR-os) are staple Greek foods. These sandwiches are a blend of lamb and beef pan seared with seasonings on top. The mixture is stuffed in a pita and topped with diced tomatoes and onions.

This dish also contains another Greek food called tsatziki sauce, which is yogurt mixed with garlic and cucumbers. (more…)

Easter and Christmas are much-awaited traditional feasts for the Greeks, though almost every holiday is linked with special cuisines.

According to the Greek-Recipe website, “It is characteristic of the Greeks to celebrate their joys, to sweeten their sorrows, and to assuage their struggles by eating and drinking in the company of family and friends.”

Greek Roasted Lamb
1. Lamb is the traditional Easter main course of Greek Orthodox Christians because it symbolizes Jesus as the Lamb of God.

Watching the Arni sti Souvla, or lamb roasting on a spit, and savoring its flavor is one of the treasured moments shared by Greek families.

Red Easter Eggs

2. Painting hard-boiled eggs for Easter is a fun tradition for Greeks families. Red is the chosen color to signify Christ’s death on the cross, while the egg represents his tomb. Some of the red eggs are also used to decorate the Tsoureki, or Easter sweet bread. (more…)

Moussaka – as it is called in Greek – is a bit like meatballs: Each home has its recipe, and your mother always tastes best. Especially with meat sauce are possible variations – you can also make a vegetarian moussaka, if using a vegetable sauce instead of meat sauce.

Ingredients:

1.5 kg aubergines (equivalent to approx. 4 aubergines) or
750 grams of eggplant and 750 grams large potatoes
olive oil for brushing
salt, pepper

Meat sauce:
6 tablespoons olive oil (more…)

Oh, wonderful Samos, Greek Island of the loves of Zeus and Hera, which houses the marriage of Antony and Cleopatra. Divine island where beaches are best in the west, and, unfortunately, has lost some of its charm with the forest fires that have ravaged during the 90′s. However, the island remains one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the Aegean Sea.

The ruins of ancient Samos seem to run back and forth across the island. It is curious to see how they mix with plenty of bars and restaurants, especially at night when the evening entertainment, if not for the neon lights and modern music, it could be said to be held in ancient Greece.

The nearest beach is the Potokaki (more…)

The Greek lifestyle is reflected in the essence of traditional cuisine that surprises with its variety of flavors and ease of processing. Greek cuisine is based on the Mediterranean diet but has influences from both East and West.

The atmosphere in all Greek restaurants is simple, relaxed and friendly. For the Greeks, sharing a meal or a dinner at a restaurant or tavern is a deeply entrenched social custom.

BASIC INGREDIENTS

Although the basic ingredients of Greek cuisine are olive oil, spices and condiments, fresh vegetables, fish and meats, Greek cuisine is so varied that there are wide differences between different regions of the mainland and from island to island .

Vegetables are widely used. Tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, green beans, onions, peppers, artichokes and spinach are present in many dishes. (more…)