Greek food spreads its culinary influences across Europe and beyond. It’s known simply as one of the finest cuisine in the world, by far! With an extremely long coastline, plenty of fresh vegetables, seafood & fishes, and meat being consumed, Greek food shares a lot in common with many other Mediterranean countries. Gyros, the Greek flat bread, is certainly the most popular dish among these.
Although gyros are relatively well-known among the people of Athens and other Greek islands, they actually originate fromolis situated in present-day Macedonia. These types of bread are not only popular all over Greece but are starting to become a favorite of people all around the globe as well. Gyros that are made in Greece usually contain ingredients like feta cheese, olives, olive oil, olive leaves, and herbs like garlic and herbs. Some of the ingredients used may be different, while others aren’t, but the basic ingredients are almost always the same.
One of the most important parts of a traditional Greek salad recipe is that it contains a variety of vegetables. Often these are tomatoes, onions, olives, cucumber, spinach, and/or herbs such as Rosemary and oregano. Sometimes lettuce and/or cabbage may also be added as extra ingredients.
Traditionally, gyros are served with either pita bread or flatbreads made out of flatbreads. In most cases, pita bread is the preferred choice. This type of breads usually have thicker and moister flavors than the typical loaf of white bread that is served. And because they are typically served cold, the meat that is found in gyros – usually lamb, beef, or pork – doesn’t get cooked through as much as meat that is served in other forms of gyros.
Another popular Greek food is souvlaki. Souvlaki is a Greek salad that typically consists of meat, vegetables, and seafood. The meat is often cut into thin strips so that it can be mixed with the other ingredients and cooked in a variety of ways. Typically the meat of the lamb or beef that is used in souvlaki is grilled, while the other ingredients may include onions, mushrooms, carrots, garlic, parsley, and more.
One of the most common and delicious traditional Greek foods is baklava. Baklava is a type of unleavened bread that is typically made in the ancient world from nuts, seeds, and even dates. When preparing baklava a special type of greek coffee is usually used so that the dough does not become too dry. In addition to being delicious, baklava is also good for you because it is very low in fat, particularly in cholesterol. It also has a unique, rich flavor that translates very well to the tastes of many different people, including both traditional Greek foods and non-greek cuisines.
One of the most popular traditional side dishes in the Greek community is a thin, battered wheat loaf known as “ellinikos.” Ellinikos is traditionally served on a plate along with lemon or olive oil, and any other additional ingredients that the cook wants to include. The flatbread is typically not seasoned, but it can be if it is made by someone who has their own methods and flavors of bread making. Ellinikos usually consists of several small pieces of bread that are layered and topped with a mixture of various gourmet toppings. Some of the more popular choices for toppings include fresh fruits, olive oil, honey, mints, olives, and more.
Another great dish that people often forget about when they are considering the foods of Greece is their classic Greek salad. If you have never had a traditional Greek salad, it is simply a bowl of romaine lettuce, chopped tomato, and cucumber along with either feta cheese or sun dried tomatoes. Often times olive oil or lemon juice will be added to give the salad a little extra flavor. It can be topped with any number of different items, depending on what the person wants to put on their salad. Often times bread is added to the salad for a crispy texture, and then ice is added to give it a refreshing appearance. People from all over the world love eating this type of salad, which makes it one of the most popular types of Greek food around.
