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mastichas09

Active member
I am on a healthy eating kick - happens to me every year after the holidays! It feels like a reset, but Greek food is so delicious it puts me in a happy place anyway. I am brainstorming a list of healthy meals.

Grilled Greek Chicken: Marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano before grilling them to perfection. Serve with a side of grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and peppers.

Greek Salad with Grilled Shrimp: Combine fresh chopped vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and bell peppers with feta cheese and kalamata olives. Top with grilled shrimp and a homemade vinaigrette made with olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Baked Lemon and Herb Fish: Coat pieces of fish in a mixture made with lemon juice, garlic, and herbs like dill and parsley before baking in the oven.

Lamb Souvlaki with Tzatziki: Skewer pieces of lamb marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano and grill until cooked through. Serve with a side of tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, dill, and cucumbers.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey: Stuff bell peppers with a mixture of lean ground turkey, brown rice, chopped tomatoes, and herbs like basil and thyme. Bake in the oven until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through. Usually it is made with beef, but turkey is healthier.

Greek Chickpea Salad: Combine chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and feta cheese with a dressing made from olive oil and lemon juice. Serve as a side salad or add grilled chicken for a complete meal.

Greek-Style Stuffed Zucchini: Hollow out zucchinis and stuff them with a mixture of ground beef, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and Greek herbs. Bake until the zucchinis are tender and the filling is cooked through, then sprinkle with feta cheese before serving.

Eggplant Moussaka: This hearty casserole is made with layers of eggplant, lean ground beef, tomatoes, and a creamy béchamel sauce. It's a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and protein in one meal.

Grilled Octopus with Lemon and Olive Oil: While it may sound a bit adventurous, grilled octopus is a classic Greek dish that's packed with flavor and nutrition. Marinate the octopus in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic before grilling on high heat until slightly charred.
 
This a great list! I am on a similar kick, as well. Here is what I came up with:

- Greek Salads - like horiatiki, cabbage salad, etc
- Grilled or baked fish with lemon - I agree on that one
- Horta - this makes me feel so healthy when it's on the table!
- Healthy soups, like tomato soup, chickpea soup, vegetable soup, etc.

Also, I am not sure about moussaka. The béchamel sauce can use a lot of better and cream. Can you leave it out?
 
This a great list! I am on a similar kick, as well. Here is what I came up with:

- Greek Salads - like horiatiki, cabbage salad, etc
- Grilled or baked fish with lemon - I agree on that one
- Horta - this makes me feel so healthy when it's on the table!
- Healthy soups, like tomato soup, chickpea soup, vegetable soup, etc.

Also, I am not sure about moussaka. The béchamel sauce can use a lot of better and cream. Can you leave it out?
I was thinking the same thing. The butter and carbs in the béchamel seem opposite of a healthy diet! I had a friend once make a no-meat moussaka without the béchamel (used that famous meat substitute, I forget the name). It was pretty good, but not the same thing - real moussaka I decided to save as a special occasion food.
 

Cumin in Greek Cooking?

When I was in Greece, I bumped into a "spanakopita" in like a turnover style dough. It didn't have cheese and was spiced with cumin. I hadn't realized people use Cumin in Greece until I tasted it in this dish. I was kind of confused.

Do people actually use cumin in Greek cooking? None of the old recipes I have mention it. Could it be a more modern influence?

Greek Souvlaki Marinade Recipe

Now that grilling season is upon us, I thought I would share my souvlaki marinade. I cut the meat in cubes and marinate in plastic bags overnight. I skewer them just before grilling.

Add to a mason jar:
  • 1/4 cup Greek olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Then I cover the mason jar and shake, add the meat to the bags, and pour it over. If I am making a huge batch I double the marinade.

Learning about Greek food and wine pairing

I've recently developed a fascination with Greek wines and am eager to explore their potential pairings with various cuisines. Greek wines, with their rich history and unique grape varieties, offer a tantalizing range of flavors that I believe can complement a wide array of dishes beautifully. However, my experience in effectively pairing these wines is somewhat limited, and I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights from those more familiar with this area.

Particularly, I'm interested in understanding which types of Greek wines (white, red, or rosé) pair best with specific dishes or cuisines. Here are a few specific questions I have in mind:
  1. Assyrtiko: Known for its crisp acidity and citrus notes, which dishes would best highlight Assyrtiko's characteristics?
  2. Agiorgitiko: Often described as smooth and velvety, what kinds of meals would complement this type of red wine?
  3. Xinomavro: With its robust tannins and complex flavor profile, what are the best food pairings to balance its intensity?
  4. Retsina: Given its unique pine resin flavor, are there particular foods that match well with this traditional wine?
Additionally, I'm curious if there are any general rules of thumb when it comes to pairing Greek wines with dishes from other culinary traditions outside of Greek cuisine.

Thank you!

Best meze to serve at Easter?

What is the best Greek meze to serve for Greek Easter? I want dishes that will wow my guests and make this Easter unforgettable. I’m looking for meze that are both traditional and have that ‘wow’ factor in terms of visual appeal and taste. I’d appreciate if you could share your favorites and perhaps some personal tips or recipes that make them stand out.

Here’s what I’m considering so far, but I’d love your input:
  • Tzatziki - A refreshing yogurt, cucumber, and garlic dip.
  • Spanakopita - Hearty spinach and feta pie encased in flaky pastry.
  • Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves) - A tangy and herb-infused delight.
  • Feta cheese. A classic - I sometimes drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano.
  • Olives. No meze spread is complete without olives.
What else should I put out? Or is that enough? We're having about 20 people.

Different kinds of baklava to try?

I've recently found myself on a delicious quest to explore the world of baklava, that rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup. I understand that baklava has roots in many culinary traditions across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, each bringing its own unique twist to this iconic dessert.

From what I’ve gathered, the variations of baklava are as numerous as they are delicious, differing in nuts, spices, types of syrup, and preparation methods. However, navigating through these variations is quite the challenge, and that’s where I’m seeking your collective wisdom!

I am curious what you guys think!
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