Yummy yummm... From Around the World!!!
Cuisine from Greece
BY NIRANJANA NEELAKANTAN GUPTA, Feature Writer
Issue date: 10/19/09 Section: Features
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, 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.
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, 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.
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