HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
The Greeks are famous for tons of noteworthy and impressive feats: the Parthenon, the Acropolis, the Olympic games and much more. The most important, however, is sometimes overlooked. Greek cuisine offers some of the most delicious meals and desserts on the planet. Whether you were born in Athens or you just appreciate Greek culture, celebrating the Greeks with food is sure to be a tasty good time.
Since Greece is located on the Mediterranean, the Greeks are obsessed with freshness which is evident in the olives, cheese and yogurt. The meats, essentially beef and lamb, are cooked to perfection with a mixture of hand-picked vegetables and authentic spices. In order for your Greek Dinner Party to feel like it is being hosted by a pro, follow these drinks, recipes and tips.
Since Greece is located on the Mediterranean, the Greeks are obsessed with freshness which is evident in the olives, cheese and yogurt. The meats, essentially beef and lamb, are cooked to perfection with a mixture of hand-picked vegetables and authentic spices. In order for your Greek Dinner Party to feel like it is being hosted by a pro, follow these drinks, recipes and tips.
Made with the freshest veggies and topped with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and chunks of feta cheese, it doesn't get more deliciously Greek than this salad.
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Head of Lettuce
- 3 Whole Tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 Whole Cucumbers (cut into half moons)
- 1 Half Onion (sliced into slivers)
- 1 Cup(s) Crumbled Feta
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Pinch Sea Salt
- 10-14 Kalamata Olives
Steps
- Chop all vegetables and mix in a large salad bowl.
- Crumble the feta using your hands and sprinkle it on top of the vegetables along with the Kalamata Olives.
- Pour the olive oil on top and mix with tongs. Add sea salt to taste. Serve chilled.
Preparation Time: 5-7 Minutes
Serves: 6
How to Serve: Cold
Watermelon and feta?! Before you make that face, give this surprisingly tastey salad the chance it deserves.
Ingredients
- 4 Oz Feta (cut into small cubes)
- 1 Half Seedless Watermelon (cut into small cubes)
- 1 Half Red Onion (sliced)
- 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
Steps
- Mix all ingredients in a salad bowl adding the balsamic vinegar right before served.
- Serve chilled.
Preparation Time: 3-5 Minutes
Serves: 6
How to Serve: Cold
It isn't a Greek Dinner Party without gyros for the main course. Lamb is known throughout Greece as the most flavorful and tender meat. Bon appetite!
Recipe idea from Every Day with Rachael Ray.
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cup(s) Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tsp Sea Salt
- 1 Tsp Black Pepper
- 2 1/2 Tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 Whole Onion (chopped)
- 4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Lbs Ground Lamb meat
- 6 Whole Pitas
- 3 Whole Garlic Cloves (finely chopped)
- 1/2 Cup(s) Parsley
Steps
- Preheat oven to 350. Add salt and pepper to yogurt and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine the lamb and cumin. Form into 3-4 inch patties. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Cook the patties for about 6 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate.
- Wrap the pitas in foil and keep them warm in the oven while it is preheating.
- In the same skillet, add onions and garlic. Chop up the lamb patties and add them to the pan. Increase to high heat. Cook for about 3 minutes. Add parsley.
- Wrap the ingredients from the pan in the warm pitas. Top with the yogurt mixture you set aside.
Preparation Time: 15-20 Minutes
Serves: 6
How to Serve: Hot
The most well-known alcoholic drink in Greece is Ouzo. Ouzo, considered a liqueur or apertif, has a licorice flavor to it with a unique mint aftertaste. While, like most native drinks, Ouzo is an acquired taste, this cocktail will authenticate your Greek Dinner Party.
WARNING – Do not mix ouzo with any cola or it will lose it’s lovely licorice taste!
WARNING – Do not mix ouzo with any cola or it will lose it’s lovely licorice taste!
Serve this to guests before dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 Oz Ouzo
- 1 Pint Orange Juice
- 1 Tsp Grenadine
Steps
- Fill a pint glass with ice and orange juice, leaving enough room for a shot and a half of Ouzo and a tiny splash of Grenadine.
- Stir - don't shake. Enjoy!
Preparation Time: 1-2 Minutes
Serves: 1
How to Serve: Cold
Don’t let any of your fresh ingredients for your Greek Dinner Party go to waste. The wonderful thing about Greek food is that it all goes together so nicely.
Extra cucumbers from your Classic Greek Salad Finely slice the cucumbers and use them as a garnish in your water pitcher. According to all the posh restaurants, cucumbers are the new lemons.
Extra pitas from your Jivin’ Lamb Gyros? Cut up the pitas and set them out with Greek dips like hummus or olive tapenade as pre-dinner snacks instead of chips.
Extra watermelon from your Watermelon Surprise Salad? Chop it up and add it to your left-over Greek yogurt for a healthy breakfast.
Extra pitas from your Jivin’ Lamb Gyros? Cut up the pitas and set them out with Greek dips like hummus or olive tapenade as pre-dinner snacks instead of chips.
Extra watermelon from your Watermelon Surprise Salad? Chop it up and add it to your left-over Greek yogurt for a healthy breakfast.
This aisle by aisle Greek foods must-have list will make shopping for your Greek Dinner Party as easy as preparing the foolproof recipes.
Dairy Aisle:
• Fresh Feta
• Greek yogurt (plain, medium container)
Produce Aisle:
• Kiwi
• Watermelon
• Grapes
• Garlic cloves
• Cucumbers
• Red onions
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce (dark green, leafy)
• Flat leaf parsley
From the butcher:
• Chopped/ground lamb meat
From the bakery:
• Fresh pitas
Miscellaneous (aisles may vary):
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Honey
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Kalamata Olives (preferably fresh but canned works too)
• Sea Salt
• Cumin
• Fresh Feta
• Greek yogurt (plain, medium container)
Produce Aisle:
• Kiwi
• Watermelon
• Grapes
• Garlic cloves
• Cucumbers
• Red onions
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce (dark green, leafy)
• Flat leaf parsley
From the butcher:
• Chopped/ground lamb meat
From the bakery:
• Fresh pitas
Miscellaneous (aisles may vary):
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Honey
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Kalamata Olives (preferably fresh but canned works too)
• Sea Salt
• Cumin
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