Greek cuisine offers its consumers a vast array of flavours and textures, all brought together in a fresh and healthy way. Greek food is all made in this highly popular and addictive way. It doesn’t matter what dish you try, you will have a feast for the taste buds, that doesn’t result in inches around the waist. That makes it a very attractive type of food. To help you decide what dish to try next, here are ten great examples:
1. Moussaka
This is perhaps one of Greece’s most iconic dishes. Moussaka is made of layers of fried aubergine, sliced potatoes, and minced meats, which is finished by a topping of creamy Béchamel sauce. The dish is set in the oven and baked until it turns golden brown.
2. Dolmades
Dolmades is a traditional Greek side dish. It is made with either cabbage or vine or grape leaves. It is stuffed with a herby, lemony rice mix and folded to create a small parcel that s steamed.
3. Gyros
This is a Greek sandwich and is a little bit like a kebab. It is made with grilled meat cut off a rotisserie and wrapped in a pita. The meat is accompanied by vegetables, fried potatoes, tzatziki.
4. Souvlaki
This is usually a platter dish with grilled meat, usually, pork or chicken served on a skewer. It comes with vegetables, fried potatoes and is usually served with tzatziki. It can be served with a pita or inside a pita as a wrap. It can also come with salad or rice.
5. Fasolatha
This is a traditional white bean soup Greek dish. It is relatively simple but hearty at the same time. It is made of beans, crushed tomatoes and a range of vegetables, including carrots, onions and celery.
6. Koulouri
If you ever go to Greece, you may well see locals eating Koulpuri in the morning. It is a large and soft bread ring that is covered in sesame seeds.
7. Loukoumades
A national Greek delicacy that is loved by people of all ages. They are doughnut-like balls that have been fried and covered in honey and topped with different things, including cinnamon and crushed walnuts.
8. Spanakopita
If you love pies, then you’ll love Spanakopita. They are created using enriched dough, which has that fantastic flaky phyllo (filo) pastry feel. It is filled with all sorts of ingredients such as aubergines, meats, or cheese. The classic Spanakopita is layered with spinach and feta cheese and flavoured with dill.
9. Baklava
This is a very popular small sweet pastry dish. Baklava has been soaked in a honey-like syrup and covered with crushed nuts, including almonds, pistachios or walnuts.
10. Pastitsio
Lasagna lovers beware, this is a very similar dish. However, instead of lasagne sheets, it is made with small pieces of macaroni. It is created by layering lamb or ground beef with the macaroni as well a Béchamel sauce. It can be flavoured with nutmeg, Greek herbs or cinnamon and if often topped off with a layer of grated cheese prior to being placed in the oven.