The Wonders of Greek Cuisine

Anyone who has ever been to Greece will smile knowingly each time the topic of Greek food is brought up. There is nothing like Greek food wherever else within the world. Filled with fresh greens, unencumbered by spices that cover the flavor of the ingredients, and full of beef and lamb dishes that can tempt any palate, there's something in Greek delicacies that will tempt anyone.

One of the simplest ways to get a feel for Greek meals is by understanding the food that makes up most of its dishes. Olives are everything in Greece. There are so many varieties of olives, that the Greeks prefer to say that saying you do not like olives is like saying you do not like sweets: if you happen to not like one form, there are lots of extras to choose from. From black olives to green, Kalamata to Peloponessos, there is an olive for everybody. Of course, when you think of olives and cooking, you have to think of olive oil, and this is an important part of Greek tradition as well. Would you believe, olive oil is used to cook almost all Greek meals, and is used as salad dressing or garnish on other dishes as well.

Bread Is Important At Greek Meals As Are Fruits and Vegetables Wonderful Greek bread is usually served at every meal, and is dipped in olive oil or the sauce of last night’s dinner. Local bakeries serve fresh, hot breads of all types and recipes.

Fruits and vegetables are always served fresh; the Greeks take great pride in their fruit and vegetables. Tomatoes are prepared with a great many dishes. The tomatoes can often come stuffed with meat or rice and onions, or sometimes is just served plain with olive oil. Sometimes, they are even mixed with flour and egg, deep fried and called "tomato-keftedes.Green and red bell peppers are another popular ingredient. They too can be prepared with either rice or beef, or grilled and eaten plain.

Potatoes are another important ingredient in Greece. They are found in stews, and are often made grilled with olive oil, onion, garlic, lemon, salt, pepper, and oregano. Potatoes deep fried in olive oil are usually served as a side dish. In Greece they make liberal use of garlic and onion in their food. Fresh fruit, including figs, is a common dessert.

Greeks are traditionally big meat eaters. You name it they eat it. Lamb, beef, pork, chicken, and even goat and rabbit are all consumed regularly. Meat is often made into a stew with garlic, onions and potatoes.

Lamb Is Without a Doubt the Most Popular Meat Choice in Greece. Roast lamb is the favorite meal for Easter. Roast lamb and potatoes are a popular Sunday evening meal, and grilled lamb chops are popular anytime. Being on the Mediterranean Sea, it only follows that seafood is a favorite of the Greeks as well. Calamari, sardines and smelt are some of the more basic fish eaten. Lobster is probably the most expensive. Before you eat fish in a Greek restaurant, you will often be encouraged to go back into the kitchen to inspect the fish and make sure it is fresh. It is there that you can decide what you want to eat. Octopus, mussels, shrimp and cod are other popular Greek seafood choices.

For dessert, baklava, which is made from a special kind of dough called phyllo, is the most common Greek delicacy. It is prepared with nuts, honey, and sugar, and is a layered pastry.

The food of Greece offers something for everyone. It is also a healthy cuisine, mostly because of the liberal amounts of olive oil in it. Grecians, who eat a traditional Greek diet, have been known to live on average quite a bit longer than inhabitants of other countries. Greek food is tasty and good for your health and you won't find a better combination than that.