Like Greek Food?

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most romanticized regions of the world, touching upon several different countries with widely different peoples, cultures, and cuisines. Greece is just one of the countries blessed by the bounties of the sea along with ancient ruins, majestic islands, and some of the best food in the world. Food and wine are among the most beloved aspects of Greek culture whether you are of Greek heritage or not. The influence of Greek cuisine can be witnessed the world over as you are bound to find an excellent Greek restaurant in just about every major city.

Some of the major ingredients of Greek food are equally ubiquitous: olive oil, lamb, potatoes, and seafood all feature prominently in Greek dishes. The fresh and bold flavours of Greek meals can be attributed to the variety of spices, meats, and vegetables you are likely to find. Though undoubtedly rooted in the indigenous plants and animals of Greece, the cuisine is also strongly rooted in health practices. For example, especially in ancient times, many Greek people believed that certain foods cured various illnesses. A popular soup made from chicken broth, lemon juice, eggs, and rice known as Avgolemono is thought to accelerate healing from colds or even to prevent illness. Yet for most of us, the attraction to Greek cuisine can simply be attributed to taste.

Popular desserts in Greece include Baklava and Loukoumades. Baklava is a Greek favourite that incorporates the popular Greek phyllo dough, nuts, cinnamon, and honey. Similarly, Loukoumades are basically Greek donuts made of deep fried dough that has been soaked in honey and cinnamon and often sprinkled with sesame seeds. However, when it comes to Greek food, the popularity of their desserts is easily surpassed by savoury dishes such as Moussaka, Souvlaki, or Dolmades.

Moussaka is somewhat like a Greek shepherd's pie. This casserole contains eggplant, potatoes, red wine, onions, and beef or lamb to create a hearty meal well suited for a dinner during the cooler fall and winter seasons. Souvlaki, possibly the most popular Greek dish, is essentially a skewer of chicken, lamb, or beef seasoned carefully with spices such as oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Dolmades, on the other hand, feature vegetables such as onion, zucchini, eggplant, or tomato with our without meat. Generally, these stuffed vegetable dishes may be filled with rice, onion, parsley, herbs, and spices as well as raisins, currants, nuts, or pulses.

Any attempt to describe the entirety of Greek cuisine would be far too exhaustive to be contained within a few paragraphs. Greek food is diverse and flavoursome and benefits from the passionate nature the Greek have about their food. Greek food combines hearty vegetables, delicate spices, and various meets to create a delicious cuisine that is often imitated but never replicated.

For more information on Greek food, please visit Greek restaurant in Vancouver - Takis Taverna online.

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