Greek Cuisine

Greek Cuisine is the food culture of the Greek people, mainly in the country Greece.

Greek cuisine is related to other Mediterranean cuisines, especially Turkish and Levantine cuisines. It has similarities to Balkan and Italian cuisines.

Ingredients

Wheat is a staple ingredients, made into flour to make various breads.

Red onion is popular, especially for raw uses such as in salad.

Carob, or locust bean, has been used since ancient times.

Olives are an important ingredient. Olive oil is made from olives, usually extra virgin olive oil. For eating, olives are cured in brine or some other way. They may be preserved in wine vinegar or olive oil. Kalamata olives, a type of olive from the Kalamata region of Greece, are famous.

Grapes are enjoyed fresh, dried as raisins, and made into wine.

Cucumber and eggplant are used.

Mushrooms are valued, sometimes gathered from forests. Portobello and other varieties can be found.

Seafood is common. Octopus and squid are used, as well as fish such as sea bass.

Lamb and goat are popular meats in Greek cuisine. Pork and chicken are also used.

Feta cheese and yogurt are common dairy products.

Dishes

• country bread(χωριάτικο ψωμί, choriatiko psomi): leavened loaf of wheat bread
• raisin bread(σταφιδόψωμο, stafidopsomo): leavened wheat bread with raisins
• pita bread(πίτα, pita): leavened wheat flatbread, typically thicker and without a pocket
• country salad(χωριάτικη σαλάτα): salad, often with cucumber, olive, feta cheese, tomato, salt, olive oil
• tzatziki(τζατζίκι, tzatziki): dipping sauce made with yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, usually garlic, and sometimes dill
• gyro(γύρος, yiros): rotisserie meat, usually pork, and various toppings such as tzatziki served in pita bread; similar to Turkish doner
• souvlaki(σουβλάκι): small skewers with meat, usually pork, or another ingredient
• dolmadakia(ντολμαδάκια): grape leaves with meat filling
• moussaka(μουσακάς, mousakas): eggplant cooked with lamb and vegetables
• papoutsakia(παπουτσάκια): stuffed eggplant
• kleftiko(κλέφτικο): marinated lamb cooked in a pit oven
• grilled octopus
• grilled fish
• stifado(στιφάδο): meat stew