Greek dishes are known all over the world for their amazing taste, nutritional value and variety. The cuisine of this country is designated as Mediterranean. Many dishes are similar to those of Italy, France and the Balkan countries. Traditional Greek cuisine is based on the use of natural ingredients.
The main features of the national food
The Greeks prepare simple yet delicious and nutritious meals. Olives, cheese, bread, tzatziki serve as snacks. In the national cuisine, there are many vegetable dishes with a pasty consistency. Cold snacks are prepared mainly from crabs and small fish. Fresh fruits and vegetables are present in the country in any season. Therefore, in Greece, many dishes are made from vegetables. Vegetables with meat are usually cooked baked and stewed with seasonings. Of the vegetables, potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, beans, onions and peppers are most often used. The traditional Greek dish of meat and vegetables is moussaka, a nutritious layered casserole. This dish is widespread in the Balkan Peninsula. Musaka is made according to different recipes. In Greece, young lamb and eggplant are necessarily put.
Almost all dishes are flavored with olive oil. Almost every tavern or restaurant in the country offers meat according to traditional recipes. First courses are rarely prepared in Greece. The first can be mashed potatoes with beans or broth. Lentil soup is very popular, which is served with olives, salted fish, onions and feta cheese. The Greeks also make rice and beef soups. The main dishes in Greece are made with aromatic herbs and spices. Chefs use dill, garlic, oregano, mint, bay leaves, basil, thyme, cloves, saffron, nutmeg, and cinnamon. They are added in limited quantities so as not to interrupt the taste and aroma of the products.
Salads and desserts
Greek cuisine has a variety of salad recipes, categorized as hot and cold. At the same time, the recipes are simple. In Greece, there are almost no complicated ways of preparing salads. The main requirement is that all products must be fresh. Greek salads are poured with lemon juice, wine vinegar and olive oil. A separate group of dishes is made up of pasta salads, which are combined with the main meal. Sometimes they are simply spread on bread. In Greece, a tzatziki salad is made, consisting of yogurt, garlic and grated fresh cucumbers.
Greek dishes are always accompanied by grape wines.
For sweets, the Greeks eat watermelons, grapes, melons, almonds. Common confectionery products are kurabie cookies, as well as sweet and fatty cakes.
