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Opa! As the Olympics kick off this week, indulge in the flavors of Greece (the birthplace of the Games!) We’ve never met a person who doesn’t love the homey feel and Mediterranean flavors of Greek cuisine. Imagine yourself on an idyllic island, laid out by the beach, surrounded by those white and blue houses, eating a souvlaki doused in creamy tzatziki. Boiled down, Greek cuisine is a celebration of freshness and simplicity!
Overview of Key Ingredients of Greek Cuisine:
When replicating the Mediterranean diet, it’s good to be aware of the various vital ingredients used in almost every dish. Before deep-diving into the best of the best recipes, take a moment to look at what exactly makes Greek food Greek.
- Olive Oil: Just like in Italy, extra-virgin olive oil is the cornerstone of Greek cooking, adding depth and richness to dishes.
- Tomatoes: Whether fresh in salads or cooked into hearty stews, tomatoes are a staple ingredient in Greek cuisine, adding a burst of flavor and color.
- Feta Cheese: Creamy and tangy, feta cheese is a beloved component of Greek salads, pastries, and spreads, lending its distinctive taste to many dishes.
- Oregano: This fragrant herb is ubiquitous in Greek cooking, infusing dishes with its earthy aroma and peppery flavor.
- Lemon: From roasted potatoes to seafood marinades, the bright acidity of lemon is a quintessential element in Greek cuisine, balancing flavors and adding freshness.
- Garlic: Like in Italy, garlic plays a vital role in Greek cooking, enhancing savory dishes with its pungent flavor.
- Yogurt: Thick and creamy Greek yogurt is not only a delicious snack but also a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes, such as tzatziki sauce and desserts.
- Honey: Greece is famous for its golden honey, which is drizzled over everything from yogurt to baklava, adding a natural sweetness to dishes.
- Phyllo Dough: Thin and delicate, phyllo dough is used to create flaky pastries like spanakopita and baklava, showcasing the artistry of Greek pastry-making.
- Olives: Whether brined, marinated, or stuffed, olives are a ubiquitous part of Greek cuisine, offering a burst of flavor and texture to many dishes.
- Eggplant: Versatile and hearty, eggplant features prominently in Greek dishes like moussaka and imam bayildi, adding depth and substance to vegetarian fare.
- Lamb: A favorite meat in Greek cuisine, lamb is often slow-cooked or grilled to perfection, infusing dishes with its rich flavor and tender texture (Yes the stereotype is true).
- Seafood: With its extensive coastline, Greece boasts an abundance of fresh seafood, including fish, squid, and octopus, featured in dishes like grilled octopus and seafood stew.
- Fava Beans: Nutty and creamy, fava beans are a beloved ingredient in Greek cuisine, often pureed into dips or served as a side dish.
So without further ado, here are some of our favorite dishes and go-tos for every meal to make you feel like you just woke up in Santorini.
Breakfast: If you’ve ever been to Greece, you’ll notice that every hotel offers the same thing as a complimentary breakfast and that is Greek yogurt with honey, nuts and fruit. It’s no secret that Greeks love yogurt, and that truth extends right into breakfast! To mimic this classic Greek go-to, simply buy some yogurt (we suggest Nounòs for a corn derivative free option) and top with chopped almonds or pistachios, some hemp seeds, honey, and some of your fav seasonal fruits!
Lunch: You’ve just spent your morning on the beach and now you need something refreshing. Greeks keep it simple with a Greek Salad (or a Horiatiki Salad, as it’s natively called) and some grilled chicken and shrimp skewers. The good news is a Greek salad is pretty easy to recreate, all you need to do is chop up some juicy tomatoes, a cucumber, red onion, and top it with olives, feta cheese, oregano, some dill, and olive oil! It really is the quintessential Greek dish.
Dinner: The sun is setting, there’s a warm breeze in the air, and it’s 9pm – which of course means it’s dinner time in Athens. Being a country filled to the brim with islands, it’s no surprise fish is going to the central dish for many Greek families. Tonight, we’re eating grilled fish (yes, keeping the head on) with squeezed lemon on top, some zucchini and eggplant chips (bonus if you pair this with tzatziki) and another Greek staple, spanakorizo. Literally translating to spinach-rice, this dish is slowly cooked until the rice and spinach hit a perfect level of creaminess – check out our fav recipe here.
Dessert: We probably don’t have to tell you about Baklava, and while we could give you a recipe (and we will), for your own sanity, maybe go out to a Greek bakery and buy this one. It’s crispy layers and honey-syrup soaked sweetness just hits the spot when you want a mid afternoon treat! (If you want a simpler option, you probably won’t be surprised when I tell you a lot of Greek’s have honey and yogurt for dessert too!)
A Greek’s favorite take-out: The streets of Athens are packed with gyro shops, and that’s because souvlaki is to Greece what hot dogs are to NYC – a classic, cheap, and delicious meal! Get a gyro in a pita, smothered in creamy tzatziki and a side of fries and you’ll never look at take-out the same way again!
A bonus for the winter: If you’re looking for a homier dish, or just want to keep the Mediterranean diet going throughout the winter months, we’ve got you! Almost every Greek restaurant you go to will carry this staple and that is the traditional Avgolemono soup. Cooked by grandmothers for their sick children (or just on a regular cold day), this creamy chicken soup is so so good and perfect for picky eaters. All you need is chicken, lemon, and eggs! Find our fav recipe here.
This Greek dish not only feeds the whole family, but also reheats well for lunch the next day, and that dish is Pasticcio. The best way to explain this one is like the love child of lasagna and spaghetti bolognese, and the easiest part? It only requires 3 parts: pasta, meat sauce, and a nice layer of bechamel sauce. Find a tasty recipe here.
