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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.
 

Drinking Olive Oil: Health and Beauty Elixir or Celebrity Fad?

This will I hope generate a healthy discussion amongst the readership here!I have been drinking Pure Olive oil 0.3% Acidity (Not cheap!) for many years, not everyday as I alternate with Pure Organic Sesame oil and Organic first pressed Coconut oil as well....and I also forget to be honest even when all the bottles are staring at me!!😁😁... Since there are many members here I am interested to hear how many drink olive oil and the benefits to their wellbeing?!.... Kalley Mera from Thailand and a heatwave no one can imagine for 5 months without a drop of rain!
https://greekreporter.com/2024/05/0...Reporter+Daily+News+Simple&utm_term=Read+More

What foods go best with ouzo?

I am curious - what goods go best with Ouzo? Traditionally, I don't actually pay attention.

From my understanding, Ouzo is traditionally enjoyed with small plates, similar to tapas, known as "mezedes" in Greece. Yet, I’m eager to hear from those who have either traveled to Greece or have an in-depth knowledge of Greek cuisine about what specific dishes you think would pair best with Ouzo. Are there specific flavors or types of dishes (seafood, meats, vegetables) that enhance the experience of sipping Ouzo?

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.

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.

Top herbal teas popular in Greece?

Could anyone share insights or recommendations on which herbal teas are the most popular or cherished in Greece? I'm particularly interested in teas that are unique to the region or have a special place in Greek culture and wellness practices.

Also, if you have any suggestions on where I might purchase these teas, especially if they're available online, that would be incredibly helpful! I'm eager to try making some of these teas at home and experiencing a taste of Greek herbal tradition.

Thank you in advance for your help! I’m looking forward to exploring your suggestions and hopefully discovering some new favorite teas.
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