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Meeting a local Greek farmer is the best way to eat fresh food

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blopez34

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Meeting local Greek farmers is one of the best ways to experience Greek culture and eat and try the native Greek food. Wherever you visit in Greece, you can ask around from the locals and find out where the farms are. Most people in Greece are very friendly and kind and will be willing to show you around and offer you some vegetables or olives to try.


 
In my experience Mytilene and Crete are the best islands for farm-to-table enthusiasts, but this advice is correct…just ask a local and even in the most touristed areas, you’ll find restaurants that feature local produce.

In Chania, Crete I highly recommend Dounias (just beyond the Therisso Gorge - about 45 minutes outside the city). If Stelios isn’t too busy he’ll give you a tour of his farm, but at the very least, you’ll see the daily dishes being cooked up in clay pots over open fire. Reservations are recommended for this casual, but very popular place!
 
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Deborah said:
In my experience Mytilene and Crete are the best islands for farm-to-table enthusiasts, but this advice is correct…just ask a local and even in the most touristed areas, you’ll find restaurants that feature local produce.

In Chania, Crete I highly recommend Dounias (just beyond the Therisso Gorge - about 45 minutes outside the city). If Stelios isn’t too busy he’ll give you a tour of his farm, but at the very least, you’ll see the daily dishes being cooked up in clay pots over open fire. Reservations are recommended for this casual, but very popular place!
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Agreed, Crete is the place to be. It has some of the most advanced yet traditional agriculture in all of Greece.
 
blopez34 said:
Meeting local Greek farmers is one of the best ways to experience Greek culture and eat and try the native Greek food. Wherever you visit in Greece, you can ask around from the locals and find out where the farms are. Most people in Greece are very friendly and kind and will be willing to show you around and offer you some vegetables or olives to try.


Click to expand...
Agreed, this has been my experience in Greece, particularly on Crete because I visited a lot of farms while there. Did a Raki tasting at a farm and we pretty much had dinner there during the tasting, they had a nice spread of traditional Cretan foods to try while we were tasting. Plus, I noticed that Greeks don't seem to want people to drink without food - they always bring food over even at cafes and bars, even if I just ordered a drink. I remember my sis and I ordered cocktails at a cafe and they brought over loukoumades on the house.
 
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Greek grilling advice and tips?

It's getting warm out and time to break out the grill! I am interested in how do Greek people in Greece grill? I've had so many delicious grilled foods in Greece, I am having a hard time getting the same flavors here in the United States.

I've tried my hand at a few recipes, aiming to capture that authentic taste, but I feel like there's a deeper level of technique and tradition that I'm just not hitting. From choosing the right ingredients to mastering the grill itself, I know there’s a wealth of subtleties that can turn a good dish into a great one.

Do they use certain marinades or techniques? I've watched people in Greece grill - they don't even really follow recipes.

No Meat Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves) Recipe

It has taken me a long time to get vegetarian dolmades to the point where I enjoy them. Here is my recipe. It uses a lot of oil, so strict fasters shouldn't eat them. But most people aren't super strict so I would even say these are good for lent!

Ingredients:​

  • 1 jar of grape leaves (about 60-70 leaves)
  • 1 cup short-grain rice
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water

Instructions:​

  1. Prepare the Grape Leaves:
    • If using grape leaves preserved in brine, rinse them well under cold water to remove excess salt. If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for about 1 minute, then drain and rinse with cold water. Trim off any stems.
  2. Prepare the Filling:
    • In a large bowl, combine the rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped dill, chopped mint, chopped parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
  3. Fill and Roll the Grape Leaves:
    • Place a grape leaf flat on a clean work surface, shiny side down, with the stem end facing you. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the rice filling onto the center of the leaf, near the stem end.
    • Fold the bottom of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly into a small cylinder.
    • Repeat with the remaining grape leaves and filling, arranging the rolled dolmades seam-side down in a large pot or deep skillet, packing them snugly together.
  4. Cook the Dolmades:
    • Once all the dolmades are rolled and packed in the pot, drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice.
    • Pour enough water into the pot to just cover the dolmades.
    • Place a heatproof plate or lid directly on top of the dolmades to keep them submerged during cooking.
    • Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for about 45-60 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the grape leaves are tender.

Enjoying Cooking with Greek Honey

One of the things I love most about Greek honey is its versatility. You can use it in so many different ways in the kitchen. I've drizzled it over Greek yogurt for breakfast, mixed it into salad dressings for a touch of sweetness, and even used it as a glaze for roasted vegetables. The depth of flavor it adds to dishes is truly remarkable.

But perhaps my favorite way to use Greek honey is in baking. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor to cakes, cookies, and pastries. I recently made a batch of baklava using Greek honey, and it was a game-changer. The honey soaked into the layers of phyllo dough, creating a sweet and sticky treat that was absolutely irresistible.

I go out of my way to buy it - if I can't find it locally, I get it online. When I go to Greece, I get some in Greece, too.

What do you love to use Greek honey for?

greek-honey.jpg

Can you make your own rusks?

I love Cretan Dakos!
There's something about the combination of the crunchy rusk soaked with the juice of ripe tomatoes, topped with fresh cheese and olive oil, that has me hooked!

However, given that I live in an area where it's challenging to find authentic Cretan rusks, I'm contemplating on whether I can bake my own at home. I'm curious if anyone here has attempted to make rusks suitable for dakos from scratch.

I know I can order then online. I tried this, and they didn't survive the shipping too well.

Making traditional loukaniko question

I’m on a culinary quest to master the art of making Loukaniko, the traditional Greek sausage that tantalizes taste buds with its savory blend of spices and herbs. I understand that each region and even each family might have their own special recipe passed down through generations.

Which leads me to my ask - could anyone who’s familiar with Greek cuisine share insights about the most common seasonings used in Loukaniko? I'm especially interested in any mix of spices that gives it that characteristic flavor profile.

I’ve done some preliminary research, but I’m looking for that firsthand knowledge. What's the blend that makes your Loukaniko stand out? Are there any particular secrets to perfect the authentic taste?
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