More Greek Cuisine

Tue, Oct 9th 2007, 00:00

Greek Cuisine: In Greece, dishes are fresh and light, influenced by the agricultural produce that survives in this hot, dry landscape.

Olive trees flourish, providing the olive oil that the ancients considered a gift from the gods. Olive trees were valued as highly as gold and the oil is used abundantly in almost all Greek dishes.

An abundance of fresh vegetables also inspires vegetable dishes, cooked and marinated. Salads are popular in the heat, often strewn with mountain-grown herbs such as oregano, mint, basil, and dill.

Feta, one of the oldest cheeses in the world, is used in many Greek dishes. This crumbly curd cheese is preserved in brine and allowed to mature for at least two months in wooden barrels or metal containers. Feta is traditionally made from goat or sheep milk. Soft feta is sweeter, less salty and rich, while hard feta has a strong taste as it is more salty and spicy.

In Greece, no meal is complete without thick strong coffee and Greek pastries.

A visit to any Greek pastry shop reveals the versatility of filo pastry, produced in many forms with juicy layers of nuts, spices, and honey – baklava is a favourite, a multi-layered delicacy ribboned with nuts and oozing syrup, as is katifi, a whimsical ball of shredded syrupy pastry.

Try galataboureko with semolina custard layered into phyllo and soaked in lemon syrup, and butter cookies like the honey dipped finikia or the traditional Greek Easter butter biscuits, koulourakia.

Featured Businesses

Olive Press2009-06-16
Located in Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, United States
The Olive Press, located in Sonoma Olive country, committed themselves to making only the finest Award Winning California Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The Tasting Room and unique gift store is dedicated to ?all things olive? and the online store makes it possible to order the freshest and the best that California?s olive country has to offer!READ MORE
Peacock Olive and Beef2008-09-04
Located in Hunter Valley, Hunter Region, New South Wales , Australia
Peacock Olive and Beef is a 150 acre mixed farm in Hunter Valley, Australia, that comprises 2000 olive trees, cattle and crops that are all grown and raised using biodynamic and organic principles.READ MORE
Frantoio Ristorante and Olive Oil Co2009-02-17
Located in Mill Valley, Marin County, California, United States
Frantoio Restaurant patrons, during the crushing season (November - December), can watch the entire olive oil making process while enjoying an authentic contemporary Italian meal. Follow this virtual tour below in our state of the art press and find out how olive oil is crafted in the traditional stone crushing method.READ MORE
River Glen Farm Cheese2018-08-28
Located in Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
River Glen Farm Cheese in Underberg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa is a cheese farm producing exquisite cheeses from full cream jersey milk with no preservative, colourants or animal rennet. Their small herd of happy Jersey cows produce quality wholesome milk, and this family run concern manages every step of the delicate cheese making process ensuring the highest level quality of control. River Glen Farm Cheese offers unique products of boutique artisan cheeses, and their exciting products list includes the semi hard and mature Underberger, Italiano cheese with sun dried tomatoes, spices and herbs, garden herbs cheese, garlic and onion, black olives, a parmesan, gruyere and Greek style feta, their cheeses are available in a few select delis and farmstalls.READ MORE
Traveloworld.net Greece2011-09-16
Located in Global Travel, Global Travel by Subregion, Global Travel by Region, Global Travel by Country
Traveloworld.net Greece offers a Mini guide to Greece with information about the islands, attractions and holidays Crete with links to villa accommodation.READ MORE
Vella Cheese Company 2009-06-16
Located in Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, United States
Vella Cheese Company, located in Sonoma, is well worth a visit as cheese and wine goes hand in hand, so when you are in the Sonoma Wine county area touring the wine country, stop in to sample the cheeses and visit theretail store in Sonoma. Mr. Vella is often there to answer your questions.READ MORE
Verena's Go Gourmet2009-06-09
Located in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, California, United States
Verena's Go Gourmet located in the quaint and historic Village of Arroyo Grande, California, a friendly store with a great variety of quality houseware products, olive oils, clothing, local and international foods and houseware. READ MORE
The Oilerie Olive Oil Bar2017-07-05
Located in Fish Creek, Door County, Wisconsin, United States
The Oilerie Olive Oil Bar in Fish Creek, Door County, Wisconsin brings you a unique experience over 325 square feet with exquisite and fascinating surprises and revelations around every corner, and they have revolutionized the way Americans buy olive oil. They have been hand bottling extra virgin olive oil and aged Balsamic vinegar for years with their production facility located in a small town in Italy, all oils are made by Adriano the master who takes tremendous pride in all his products. The Oilerie Olive Oil Bar offer a tasting before you buy, and they have a fabulous collection of extra virgin olive oils also available online, they even travel to Italy, hand selecting their oils and vinegars to ensure the freshness and quality is of the highest standard, a must visit, they also carry nut oils, pastas, pestos, spices, specialty foods and more, and gift boxes are available.READ MORE
ABEL OIL COMPANY2009-06-23
Located in Louisiana, Pike County, Missouri, United States
ABEL OIL COMPANY operates 19 convenience stores in conjunction with their service stations and have their own fuel transportation fleet of 3 transports for added fuel availability. Convenience stores offer anything from groceries and beer to pre-paid phone cards.READ MORE
Cowgirl Creamery2008-11-21
Located in Point Reyes Station, Marin County, California, United States
Cowgirl Creamery have shops in Point Reyes Station, San Francisco and Washington DC and produce just a small delicious collection of cheese - four, soft aged and three fresh.READ MORE