Greeks, like probably every nation inhabiting the Mediterranean, love to eat and love to feed others. This is one of those places where you are guaranteed never to go hungry. When going on holiday to Greece, prepare yourself for a wealth of flavors and aromas at every turn. Traditional Greek cuisine mainly uses fresh, local ingredients such as seafood, eggplants, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, various types of fish and meat, as well as grains. The dishes are aromatic, full of fresh and dried herbs.
Greek savory dishes – starters and main dishes
1. Souvlaki
If a Greek is hungry and needs an immediate and at the same time filling meal, he will certainly reach for the grilled skewers, which are popular all over the world, and win with any hamburgers or fries. Finely chopped pork or chicken meat is stuffed on skewers and grilled. They are served in the same way as gyros, i.e. on a plate or in a pita bread, with fresh vegetables and tzatziki sauce based on yogurt, cucumber, garlic and mint.
2. Moussaka
A typical example of rich Greek cuisine is undoubtedly moussaka. One of the most delicious and popular dishes in this country consists of layers of fried eggplant, tomatoes and minced meat, sometimes a layer of sliced potatoes is also added. The last layer is a creamy béchamel sauce and grated yellow cheese, which turns into a golden and crispy crust after baking. In many places you can also get equally tasty vegetarian versions. For Greeks, moussaka is inextricably linked to home cooking and childhood memories.
3. Dolmades
Another culinary temptation typical of Greek cuisine that hardly anyone can resist are dolmades, something like our stuffed cabbage. However, in Greece, the meat stuffing with rice is wrapped in grape leaves, making Greek stuffed cabbage smaller. Dolmades are usually stuffed with lamb and served warm with sauce. The vegetarian version with rice stuffing usually also contains additives that diversify the taste, such as pine nuts or raisins. Vegetarian dolmades are served cold with a sauce based on olive oil and lemon juice.
4. Taramosalata
Taramosalata is a truly Greek specialty, most often served as an appetizer and as a traditional fasting dish, especially on the first day of Lent (so-called Clean Monday). It is a creamy paste made of salted roe of carp or other fish, crustless white bread, olive oil, grated red onion and lemon juice. Sometimes it is made on the basis of potatoes, which replace bread. In order to obtain the right consistency, the individual ingredients are ground and mixed in a strictly defined order and proportions. It is served with tomatoes, olives, cucumber, lemon and parsley.
5. Horiatki
Greek salad, called country salad, is a favorite addition to most meals. The basic version consists of ripe tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, olive oil, oregano and salt. However, you can add your favorite ingredients to it according to your taste, the most common will be olives, red onion, green pickled pepper and Greek feta, which is unmatched in taste. You can also sometimes find a version with capers, seasoned with vinegar and parsley.
6. Spanakopita
The Greeks love all kinds of pies and cakes, both sweet and persistent. You can find here a whole range of different cakes, most often made of extremely thin and delicate phyllo dough. Spanakopita is a savory flatbread made of phyllo dough, wrapped in a creamy stuffing of chopped spinach, feta, eggs and a large amount of fresh dill. An extremely simple dish, but delightful with a well-balanced taste and a contrast between the crispy, toasted crust and the velvety interior.
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