What Is Greek Food?
Traditional Greek food is known to be one of the healthiest diets in the world. It is not so much a diet as it is a lifestyle. It includes eating seasonally and locally and home-cooked meals. It is high in vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and of course, olive oil. It also includes lots of seafood and moderate amounts of poultry, eggs and red meat.
There is so much to talk about when it comes to Greek food. We cannot go over every dish as the list of delicious, healthy Greek meals is endless. Here we will share 10 traditional recipes that are easy to cook at home for one or for a big family.
1. Fasolakia
Fasolakia is a green bean based dish cooked in tomato sauce with carrots and potatoes and seasoning like salt, pepper, and oregano. It is easy and quick to make in the pressure cooker. It is usually accompanied by bread, feta, and olives. If you skip the feta, fasolakia is vegan.
2. Arakas
Arakas is similar to fasolakia but instead of green beans, green peas are used. The green peas are cooked in a tomato sauce with carrots and potatoes and seasonings. Again, it is easy and quick to make in the pressure cooker and is usually served with bread, feta, and olives. This is also a vegan dish if you skip the feta.
3. Revithia
Revithia Soupa is a hearty and simple chickpea soup. The chickpeas must be soaked for 24 hours before cooking. A basic revithia soupa recipe is vegan and consists only of chickpeas, onions, olive oil, lemons and water. It is usually accompanied by bread and feta.
4. Fakes
Fakes, aka Lentil Soup, is cooked with lentils, carrots, bay leaves, seasonings. It is the perfect autumn and winter dish. It is quick and easy to make in the pressure cooker and is usually served with bread, feta, and olives.
5. Fasolada
Fasolada is a white bean based soup cooked with tomatoes, carrots, seasonings and olive oil. It is a rustic and homey dish that is perfect for winter. It is usually accompanied by bread, feta, and olives.
6. Yemista
Yemista is a stuffed vegetable dish. Traditionally, tomatoes and peppers are used, but other vegetables like eggplant can also be used. The vegetables are stuffed with rice and seasonings, and sometimes even minced meat. It is a simple dish that can serve a big group and is usually cooked with potatoes and served with bread, feta, and olives.
7. Briam
Briam is a simple and rustic dish cooked with potatoes, zucchini, red onion, garlic, tomatoes, fresh spices and seasonings, and olive oil of course. It is usually accompanied with bread, feta, and olives. Skip the feta and briam is a vegan dish.
8. Moussaka
Moussaka is a delicious eggplant and minced meat dish with bechamel sauce on top. Potatoes can be used in place of eggplant, and the meat is usually lamb but beef can also be used. It is cooked in the oven and can serve a big group.
9. Spanikopita
Spanikopita, also known as Spinach Pie, is a traditional staple in every Greek bakery and household. It is not only delicious and nutritious but also feeds many. Spanikopita has a flakey, buttery phyllo dough and is stuffed with spinach, herbs, and feta cheese. It is the perfect Greek breakfast and lasts for the week.
10. Xoriatiki Salata
Xoriatiki Salata, aka Greek Salad, is one of the most popular Greek dishes. It is made of fresh and local tomatoes, cucumber, onion, green pepper, feta, olives, salt and oregano and ample amounts of olive oil. It is the perfect summer salad.
Try Greek Food in Greece!
What is your favorite Greek food? Which Greek recipe will you attempt to cook first? Let us know in the comments!
If you want to travel to Greece to try these delicious Greek foods locally, contact us at Eyia Retreats and we will help you plan and book your dream Greek vacation!
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