greek

recipes

Go Greek With This Salad

I liked but never loved Greek salads until I tried them in Greece.

I liked but never loved Greek salads until I tried them in Greece. At the height of Summer, even the red onions are so sweet and tame, I could eat chunks of them like apples. I never met a mealy nor sour tomato, just tomatoes so ripe they didn't even need a sprinkle of salt to draw out their perfect flavor. And the feta. Can we stop a second to describe the crumbly, umami-filled feta, sliced ever-so-thinly and sprinkled with the most fragrant oregano that I can't help but imagine the restaurants plucked it from their backyard bushes?

While it has been four years since my last visit to Greece, the memories linger vehemently. I've tried my best to re-create and somewhat American-ize the recipe, so you can enjoy the salad at home.

Vegetarian

8 Layers of Gold: Mediterranean Layered Dip

This may sound blasphemous, but I've never been quite able to get behind classic seven-layer dip.

This may sound blasphemous, but I've never been quite able to get behind classic seven-layer dip. Don't get me wrong: I understand the appeal and then some. Heck, I wish I were as smitten with it as its many ardent fans are, but it's just not my cup of tea. So when I stumbled across this Mediterranean take on the iconic Super Bowl treat on one of my favorite blogs, I knew it was high time I got my offset spatula at the ready.

What I didn't anticipate was just how much I would adore this tangy, garlic-heavy appetizer. I'm only a hair embarrassed to say that I managed to polish off half the platter in one sitting. Each bite's ever-so-slightly different makeup makes it easy to keep coming back for just one more bite, and do so I did . . .

Keep reading for the dangerously good recipe.

fast and easy

Staff Favorite: Greek-Spiced Baked Shrimp

It's hard to believe that we've come this far and never gotten around to sharing one of our very favorite fast and easy dinners.

It's hard to believe that we've come this far and never gotten around to sharing one of our very favorite fast and easy dinners. If you enjoy seafood and tomatoes, then brace yourself, because once you make this Greek shrimp recipe, your life might just change forever. This dinner in under 60 has been the darling of just about everyone in our office, and for good reason.

Inflecting the tomato sauce with allspice, cinnamon, feta, and dill lends the dish a whole new kind of exoticism that you're bound to love when craving the spices of South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. I like the allspice element so much that I double the amount that's called for and then offer it over a pile of lightly oiled orzo. Any way you serve it, this is good eating, and the recipe is right this way.

Cooking Basics

Get Him to the Greek: A Food Guide

Ancient Greek culture is the cornerstone of Western civilization.


Ancient Greek culture is the cornerstone of Western civilization. Not only is it home to some of mankind's most influential philosophers and artists, but it's also given birth to some of the most delicious food on the planet. Making use of fresh ingredients, age-old tradition, and fragrant spices, Greek flavors pack a powerful punch of Mediterranean flair to restaurants all over the world. Continue reading to get to know a few staples of Greek cuisine.

sandwiches

Name That Dish!

This lunchtime wrap would be great alongside some tzatziki and a glass of Greek wine.
This lunchtime wrap would be great alongside some tzatziki and a glass of Greek wine. Can you name it?

recipes

The Basics: Tzatziki

Since attending a lunch that celebrated Greek wines, I can't stop thinking about Greek cuisine.

Since attending a lunch that celebrated Greek wines, I can't stop thinking about Greek cuisine. My favorite Greek condiment is tzatziki, a cooling sauce that's served with grilled meat, souvlaki, and gyros. It's made with Greek yogurt that's been strained, so it has a super thick texture. I use Ina Garten's recipe, but I add a bunch of chopped mint to it. The most important ingredients are the yogurt and cucumbers, otherwise, you can add whatever herbs you have on hand, parsley works well as does dill and basil. Check out the method after the break.

Guess Who

Name That Dish!

Earlier today, we went to an amazing lunch that featured Greek wines; we asked one of the winemakers what foods he considered to be quintessentially Greek.
Earlier today, we went to an amazing lunch that featured Greek wines; we asked one of the winemakers what foods he considered to be quintessentially Greek. He mentioned the dessert, which consists of layers of phyllo, that is pictured below. Do you know what it's called?

TV

What Did You Think of the Greek Series Finale?

Greek finally graduated from Cyprus Rhodes (OK, well only Cappie did) and headed out into the real world last night.

Greek finally graduated from Cyprus Rhodes (OK, well only Cappie did) and headed out into the real world last night. I've had a soft spot for the college-themed series since the beginning, but I have to admit that the finale wasn't my favorite episode over the past four years. I expected a few more surprises (though I did not see the Kappa demolition coming), but the episode mostly tied up loose ends. That said, I got a little more choked up than I had expected when Cappie and Casey drove off into the sunset, but I blame Youth Group's cover of "Forever Young" that played over the final scene. I know that many of you love the show as much as I do, so weigh in on the episode! Oh, and don't forget to check out my suggestions of other Greek-esque shows you just might love.

If you missed it, watch the final scene after the jump.

Community TV Show

Goodbye Greek: Five Shows to Watch If You're Going to Miss the Series

It's with a little tear in my eye that I inform you all that tonight I'll be tuning in to Greek for the very last time.
Five Shows to Watch If You Love Greek

It's with a little tear in my eye that I inform you all that tonight I'll be tuning in to Greek for the very last time. The ABC Family show has become more than just a guilty pleasure over the past few years, but luckily there are a few other shows out there that can give me a fix of the college hijinks and drama. If you're in the same boat as me, here are five other series that just may strike your fancy if you're a fan of Greek.

Photo copyright 2011 ABC Family