Yes. The Greeks Invented Pizza Too, Not the Italians!
When one thinks of pizza they usually think of Italy. Most assume the infamous pizza was invented by the Italians. However, about 2700 years ago, the Greeks invented a flat bread called ‘Plankuntos’. In Ancient Greece, the Greeks invented the concept of consuming a flat piece of dough topped with herbs and cheese. Historical evidence shows us that Greeks ate a flat bread called ‘plakuntos’, which was covered with olive oil, onions, cheese, spices and garlic and then baked in a mud oven. Don’t believe us? Even the Food Network did a TV special on how the Greeks ate a flat bread called plakuntos. See video from the Food Network:…
Greek Baklava Cheesecake Recipe
It was on the beautiful Greek island of Samos that the first “cheese cake” was created. There, physical anthropologists excavated cheese moulds dating to around 2,000 B.C. Most possibly, cheese and cheese products have been around for thousands of years before this, but earlier than this goes into prehistory (that time before the advent of writing in human history), so we will never really know. Cheesecake was considered a healthy source of energy in Greece, and there is evidence that during the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. it was served to athletes. The use of cheesecake as a wedding cake was also known to Greek brides and grooms. The…
Avgolemono Greek Chicken Soup Recipe
One of the most traditional recipes of the Greek cuisine is the ‘Avgolemono’ (Egg and lemon) chicken soup. This dish is so old and so…Greek that it brings back memories of our mother, Yiayia etc to all Greek people, of all ages. We may as well call it simply “my mama’s chicken soup”. It’s perfect for the winter cold, full of vitamins and so easy to make. Many like it with orzo or rice. INGREDIENTS: 1 medium-sized chicken 2 tsp of salt 12 cups of water 3 eggs 1/3 cup of fresh lemon juice 2 cups of white rice (for soup or risotto) or orzo if you prefer HOW…
Galaktoboureko Greek Dessert Recipe
Have you ever felt a sudden craving for something sweet, juicy, that melts under your hungry palate? I know I have many times. And what do I do? I run to the corner Greek pastry shop and buy me a gigantic piece of Galaktoboureko. Literally, this Greek oven-baked dessert has saved my life so many times. This recipe was carried in the suitcase of the Greek immigrants who fled to Greece from all over the Asia Minor (Constantinople, Smyrna, Pontus etc) around 1922 and it combines a French touch of delicacy with the Middle Eastern syrup “blanket”. It may not be the easiest dessert to make but I believe it’s…
Boiled Greek Coffee May Help You Live Longer…Drink Up!
Boiled Greek coffee is a staple in every Greek home. Let’s settle an argument that many have first. What came first the chicken or the egg? There are many Turks that claim it’s Turkish coffee, but it’s Greek as many parts of what we call Turkey today were Greek cities from Smirni to Zeugma and more! Even Dr. OZ who is of Turkish roots did a TV special on “Greek coffee”! Greek coffee is very healthy for you and tastes great! A new Ikaria study of Vascular Medicine suggests that boiled Greek coffee can increase your longevity and protect against heart disease. Dr. Oz aired a special about what makes…
Greek Pastitsio Recipe
Photo Credit: @yeahfoodbeer on Instagram Pastitsio (Pas-tee-tsee-oh) 1 kg. of lean ground beef 3 medium onions, diced 1/4 cup olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 bay leaves 1 Tbsp. tomato paste 1 can crushed plum tomatoes 1/4 cup dry white wine 2-3 allspice berries 1 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon salt and pepper to taste 1 package of Misko #2 or Bucatini pasta (500gr) Meat Sauce In a large skillet, add your olive oil and start sauteing your onions, garlic and bay leaves under medium-low heat, for about 12-15 minutes for them to soften and be translucent. Add your ground beef, garlic, turn heat to high and…
A list of popular Greek appetizers
Whenever you’re hungry there’s nothing better than eating a few small appetizers (or ορεκτικά as they’re called in Greek) to get your stomach growling for more. I look at them as the warm-up before the big game – something used to prepare you for the whole enchilada. For me, a meal without apps is hardly a meal at all. There’s no point in jumping right into the deep end without a few laps in the shallow end first. You know what I mean? Okay, I’ll stop with the comparisons. I think you get the point. But do you know who else is well-aware of this point? The Greeks. That’s right. The…
