Greeks love to sit around a table of small plates of delicious food, sharing the food and good company. Here are some favorite dishes that require no utensils. Just grab and enjoy! Listed in alphabetical order. 1. 3-Cheese Eggplant Appetizer Rolls – Bourekakia Melitzanas A mixture of three delicious cheeses marks the filling for thin […]

Cool and creamy, this tangy cucumber dip flavored with garlic is the perfect compliment to grilled meats and vegetables. It’s served on the side with warm pita bread triangles for dipping, and is also used as a condiment for souvlaki. Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 3 tbsp. olive oil 1 tbsp. vinegar 2 cloves […]

The Greek meze (meh-ZEH) or appetizer table would not be complete without this traditional spread. When I was young, my Grandmother would make taramosalata (tah-rah-moh-sah-LAH-tah) in an old wooden mortar called a gouthi (goo-THEE). She would pound the roe thoroughly with a large wooden pestle in order to break the eggs down and allow their […]

In Greek: σκορδαλιά pronounced skor-thal-YAH My older family members would fix this using a mortar and pestle to first degrade the garlic with salt, then add other ingredients to create the purée texture desired. Today, I often use a food processor or hand mixer which makes things a lot easier and takes a lot less […]

In Greek: μελιτζάνα με γιαούρτι, pronounced meh-leed-ZAH-nah meh yeeah-OOR-tee This eggplant dip with tahini and yogurt is a great dip for fried or raw veggies and to serve with wedges of lightly toasted pita bread. Ingredients: 2 round eggplants 3 tablespoons of Greek extra virgin olive oil juice of 1 lemon 2 tablespoons of tahini […]

In Greek: μελιτζανοσαλάτα με καρύδια, pronounced meh-leed-zah-no-sah-LAH-tah meh kah-REETH-yah The combination of the walnuts and a little more vinegar than in other recipes for this fabulous dip give it a nice tart taste that goes wonderfully with wedges of pita bread, raw veggies, and salty cheeses. Ingredients: 4 1/2 pounds of large dark eggplant 3 […]

In Greek: μελιτζανοσαλάτα, pronounced meh-leed-zah-no-sah-LAH-tah If you are a devoted fan of the traditional, cook the eggplant over a wood fire – or add wood chips to a charcoal grill and cook it for that deep, smoky taste. This version is easier and delivers a tasty result, and includes chopped tomatoes. Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: […]

In Greek: μελιτζανοσαλάτα, pronounced meh-leed-zah-no-sah-LAH-tah I have friends who try to save time and make this in a blender or with a hand mixer, but it’s very easy as is and gives a much more authentic texture and taste when mixed by hand. The key to a great tasting result is a well-charred eggplant. If […]

Dips with eggplant are among the most famous Greek dishes, and there are many variations. Here are several recipes to tempt you. Eggplant Dip (Basic) – Melitzanosalata This is the basic version of this classic Greek appetizer dip and accompaniment to other foods. Eggplant Dip with Tomato – Melitzanosalata me Domata This dip is a […]

Definition: In Greek: μεζέ, plural μεζέδες (mezethes, pronounced meh-ZEH-thes) A word with its roots in antiquity, the word and usage came to Greece from Turkey. A meze is not a meal course like an appetizer (although meze dishes can be served as appetizers), but rather a dish, hot or cold, spicy or savory, often salty, […]