Alexander and Socrates, the Olympics and the Acropolis, islands and sailing, olives and oregano-so much have we heard of this country and their passion for good food. How can we not stop by? Join us as our dear friend Georgina takes us on a yummy yum tour of this land of heroes and philosophers. “Kalos Orisate’!!! Welcome to Greece!!!
An EC Partner and architect by profession, Georgina is very enthusiastic as she explains the nuances of her home cuisine. Food is so much a celebration in Greece that natives enjoy and take as much pride in their cuisine as they do in their history and tradition. Greek cuisine is an integral part of the broader Mediterranean cuisine, and shares characteristics with Turkish, Lebanese and Italian cuisines. The cuisine is very seasonal, but typical ingredients include lamb, pork, olives, cheese, eggplant, and zucchini, in a tomato or lemon base. Herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme are widely used. Georgina takes pride in the freshness and quality of the fruits and vegetables they grow in Greece. Sweet dishes are an important part of the cuisine and largely use cinnamon, honey and nuts. Olive oil is the medium for all cooking breitling superocean replica, and traditional cooking methods include grilling and long, slow baking. Ouzo, an anise-flavored aperitif, and wine are the most popular beverages.
Very close family ties, a love for good food and wine, and fun-filled celebrations lie at the heart of Greek culture. Georgina emphasizes and reiterates that the Greeks are a “happy” people who believe and take pride in the joy of eating and drinking. Good food and wine, shared and enjoyed with the family, is so much a part of all their celebrations that she says there is a dish for almost every occasion. Georgina has had some of her favorite recipes passed down to her from her mother. Over the last year, she has tried and perfected most of them. A few of us friends had the pleasure of being invited over to try some of Georgina’s yummy Greek food and we couldn’t help but borrow her recipes.
Melitzanes Sto Fourno: Melitzanes Sto Fourno, which translates to “Eggplants in the Oven” (Melitzanes meaning “Eggplant” in Greek), is a traditional Greek “Ladera” dish. Ladera dishes are mainly vegetarian dishes. Although all-time favorites and eaten all year around, they are particularly popular during the Greek fasting season when meat dishes are traditionally restricted. “When I make this dish, I know I am making something Greek,” says Georgina, explaining the authenticity of her favorite dish tag heuer replica for sale . To try out her Melitzanes Sto Fourno, you would need:
2-5 eggplants
Olive oil
250-300 grams feta cheese
1 garlic clove
500 grams chopped tomatoes from a can or 5/6 fresh tomatoes chopped to small pieces
1 cinnamon stick
1 onion
Salt
Black pepper
200 grams grated parmesan cheese
Parsley (optional)
Cooking Procedure: Cut the eggplants in the smaller dimension so that you have eggplant circles of 0.5 to 1 cm diameter. With a brush, cover each eggplant circle with a thin layer of olive oil, and place them in a baking tray face up. Put them in the oven, at the grill at medium to high temperature until they are brown, and then turn them upside down. In this recipe eggplants taste better when they are just a bit burnt on each side. When the eggplants are ready, set them aside and let them cool off.
Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce. In a frying pan put 2 tablespoons of olive oil and throw in the onion and the garlic chopped in small pieces. Stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are brown. Then add the canned or fresh tomatoes, the cinnamon stick and the parsley. Leave the sauce to cook for 15 to 20 minutes and add salt and pepper to taste. When the sauce is ready, throw the feta cheese in small pieces.
Now, put two tablespoons of olive oil in the baking tray and arrange the eggplants neatly, face down. Pour the tomato sauce on top and then the grated parmesan cheese. Place it in the oven and bake for one hour in medium heat. Serve hot!!
Wasn’t that yummy? Thank you Georgina for that delectable tour and “Ya Mas” to yummy Greek cuisine!!
We take off again. Off we go to explore some of the mouthwatering secrets of Santiago. Join us next week with Catalina as we take a yummy yum tour of her home country-Chile!! Hasta Luego and see you soon in Santiago!!
AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY
Niranjana Neelakantan Gupta is the International Co-Chair of the HBS Partners’ Club www.replicabestsale.co.uk. An accomplished home-maker, she is basically an Engineer and HR professional on a sabbatical. She relocated to Boston from India last year with her husband.
If you have an idea for a future destination for Niranjana, or a delectable dish recipe, please email: general@harbus.org with “AROUND THE WORLD” in the subject line.
