Exotic Eats: Greece

Posted by on Nov 2, 2013 in Exotic Eats, Greece | 3 comments

Greek food ranks up there as some of my favorite of our entire trip. And, while I was already familiar with many of the typical ingredients used in Greek cuisine (olives, olive oil, feta cheese, tomatoes, eggplant, yogurt, lamb, pita bread, etc.), I was surprised by the fact that I literally did not have one bad meal during my two and a half weeks in Greece.  The quality of food was consistent and affordable and the dining experience was always entertaining.  Greek people love hosting you at their restaurants and we made several friends along our culinary tour through Athens and the Cyclades Islands.  I have included my favorites below:

All hail the Greek Salad: I thought I knew Greek salad because it is on the majority of menus in America.  But the Greeks do this salad a million times better than any place in the states.  Most of the same ingredients are used: sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, feta cheese, olives, capers, pepper, and oregano.  However, the Greeks do not water the salad down by using lettuce.  Instead, they use large pieces of fresh-out-of-the-garden vegetables and top the salad with a huge piece of creamy, delicious feta.  The salad is dressed simply with quality olive oil.  I ate this dish once a day and loved every bite!

Greek Salad

Greek Salad

 Gyros: Happily, Greek gyros are also prevalent in America.  We enjoyed this dish of meat roasted on a vertical spit as a full meal or afternoon snack.  The sandwich is typically wrapped in a pita and topped with tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce.  Yum.

Gyros

Gyros

Stuffed Things (Gemista):  The Greeks love stuffing things.  They love it so much there is an actual term – gemista – in Greek meaning “stuffed thing”.  Various stuffed leaves or vegetables can be served hot or cold and filled with rice, other vegetables, herbs, lemon, garlic, and sometimes meat.

Stuffed Tomatoes

Stuffed Tomatoes

Eggplant Imam

Eggplant Imam

 

Loving the stuffed grape leaves

Loving the stuffed grape leaves

 Fresh Seafood:  Surprisingly, seafood in Greece is much more expensive than the other menu items.  It was definitely worth the splurge.

 Souvlaki/Kebab: Grilled pieces of meat and vegetables on a skewer.  Souvlaki can be fast food or more gourmet in a restaurant.

Grilled chicken souvlaki

Grilled chicken souvlaki

Moussaka: Mike really enjoyed sampling the different versions of moussaka, one of the few really gluttonous dishes we came across in Greece.  In most cases, moussaka is a layered dish consisting of one layer of sliced eggplants, one layer of lamb (with chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices), and a top layer of Bechamel sauce.  These three layers are combined in a pan and baked together. 

Moussaka

Moussaka

Obviously, I loved the Greek food.  I could have written about 10 more dishes but am trying to use a bit of restraint.  And even though I was sad to leave the delicious country, I think I may even be able to replicate some of my favorite dishes once we return to Chicago. And if not, I will just have to make regular visits to Chicago’s vibrant “Greek Town”. 

3 Comments

  1. The greek salad looks delicious!

  2. This is making me hungrier than watching Top Chef. I remember bring Mykonos on my whirlwind post-college Euro trek and eating an octopus at this beachside bar that had been caught about 18 minutes prior. Amazing. Thanks for making my mouth water. I’m with you on the salads… They are divine!

  3. Never read one of the food posts when you are hungry or on a diet!!! Gram

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