History Halloumi, fresh or mature, has always been the flagship of Cyprus’ authentic cuisine. For centuries, this product is a key constituent of the Cypriot diet and has been closely associated with the culture and traditions of the local people. With an estimated annual per capita consumption of 8 kilos, Halloumi exceeds by far in […]

Greek name and pronunciation: Anithos, άνιθος, pronounced AH-nee-thohs (soft th sound, rhymes with “dose”) At the market: Dill is sold as fresh cuttings (sprigs) bundled into convenient amounts, in sprinkle-pour bottles of dill weed (dried leaves), and in sprinkle-pour bottles of dill seeds. Physical characteristics: The dill plant grows to a height of 8-30 inches. […]

Another difference that distinguishes the ancient Greek diet from that of Northern Europeans was the consumption of vegetables and fruit in vast quantities. In fact, certain ancient Greeks, such as Plato, Callimachus and the Pythagoreans, strongly advocated vegetarianism. Certainly, the fruit and vegetables consumed by the ancient Greeks were not the same as those avialable […]

Due to fasting, the Byzantines incorporated fresh vegetables and wild greens in their meals much more often than the ancient Greeks, although the varieties consumed in both historic periods did not vary considerably. Compared with the modern age, fresh vegetables and wild greens were given different names and varied in their cooking method; for these […]

Now, when you entertain people to a Greek meal, you can impress them with your knowledge of Greek! The letters in bold italics show where the accent should go when you pronounce it. almond – ameegdalo (soft d) aniseed – anitho apple – meelo apricot – vereekoko artichoke – aggeenara (hard g) asparagus – sparangee (hard […]

Ingredient: cos lettuce chickory or endive basil cucumber squill vinegar garum (fish sauce) Method: Shred and mix lettuce, chickory and basil.  Bathe cucumber in squill vinegar, then slice and add to the salad. Lightly splash the salad in 2:1 mixture of vinegar and garum (well mixed).

Serves two. A baaridah was a cold meat or vegetable dish served before the hot dishes. Following pre-Islamic Iranian tradition, when a baaridah was made with fowl, it was usually a sort of chopped cucumber salad garnished with the roast meat. Some recipes call for only the seeds of cucumbers, which makes for a luxurious, slippery texture. […]

Yet another variation of Greek salad! Ingredients: 8 oz of feta cheese, crumbled 1 large cucumber, peeled  on, cut into 1/2″ cubes 2 cloves of garlic, minced 4 tablespoons of fresh mauntano or mint, minced 1/2 of mint, lightly packed, fresh leaves 3/4 cup of olive oil 1/2 cup of black olives (“Kalamata” olives) 2 […]

The simplest of all salad dressings is a drizzle of Greek extra virgin olive oil and wedges of lemon on the side – squeeze to taste. For salads with feta cheese like the Greek Salad, I recommend straight olive oil (with a little water). For salads with cucumber, I like oil and vinegar. My favorite dressing, […]

In Greek: πατατοσαλάτα με αυγά, pronounced pah-tah-toh-sah-LAH-tah meh ahv-GHAH The oil and vinegar dressing for this fabulous potato salad adds just the right touch… and you’ll never miss mayonnaise! Potatoes, boiled eggs, cucumber, onions, and a healthy helping of parsley create a delicious salad – a favorite in summer, but wonderful every time of year. Ingredients: […]