If you've stumbled upon this article, there's a good chance that you'd like to learn about Greek cooking. While traditional Greek cooking stemmed from a rural lifestyle lived by individuals who didn't have much to their names, the Greek cooking style is anything but lacking. While the society that Greek cooking grew out of may not have been wealthy in money, it was wealthy in creativity and imagination, producing some of the most decadent and delicious dishes around. If you're new to cooking Greek foods and want to learn more about Greek cooking basics, then you're in the right place. Throughout this article, we'll share tips and tricks to keep in mind as you learn how to make your favorite Greek meals. Once mastered, you'll be able to make authentic Greek recipes with ease. Eager to get started? Keep scrolling.
The Greek Climate
Climate plays a huge role in the food that's produced throughout Greece. The Mediterranean climate in Greece creates a countryside full of fertile ground ideal for various fruits and vegetables. This warm climate is one of the main reasons Greek cuisine is full of colorful produce like tomatoes, cucumber, lemons and onions. Olive trees also grow abundantly throughout Greece, making olive oil one of the oldest ingredients in Greek cooking. A taste that has been perfected over thousands of years, Greek cuisine prides itself on its fragrant flavors and fresh, local ingredients.
What Is Greek Cuisine?
Now that you better understand the role that climate plays in Greek cuisine, it's time to discuss the ingredients you'll be using to whip up delicious Greek recipes. Greek cuisine is primarily based on the ingredients traditional to the southern European country of Greece. Seasonal vegetables, meats, fish, olive oil and grains are staples for creating authentic Greek meals. Greek dishes range from light appetizers like cheese and olives to hearty plates full of legumes.
Traditional Greek Ingredients
Knowing where Greek food stems from is an integral part of knowing when and what ingredients to use in a dish. From home-grown produce to fresh herbs, the Greeks are all about using locally-sourced ingredients. In many Greek recipes and most Greek kitchens, the following ingredients are a must when making authentic dishes.
Olive Oil
If there's one ingredient that stands out in Greek cuisine it's olive oil. In Greece, olive oil is used in everything. It is used daily to fry, sautee and roast food for flavor and taste, from salads to cooking. Many different varieties of olive oil are used in Greek cuisine, and most are purchased straight from the source. Aside from being delicious, olive oil is extremely rich in healthy fats and loaded with antioxidants. Adding it to your food can have many health benefits, which may be why Greek and Mediterranean dishes are considered some of the best for you!Curious to learn more about the Mediterranean diet and how olive oil plays a role in it? Check out our guide: Mediterranean Diet for Beginners.
Olives
Aside from olive oil, another primary ingredient in Greek food are olives themselves. Like oil, when eaten whole, these little fruits are excellent for your health. Olives contain antioxidants and polyphenols, which can help reduce inflammation. Inflammation is quite damaging to your body, and the less inflamed you are, the better you feel! But the benefits of olive go beyond just a health boost! The healthy fats found in olives can also help stay satisfied for longer. This means that adding olives to your meal will make it more filling! Eaten as is or stuffed with herbs and spices, olives are an excellent addition to any Greek dish.Olives and olive oil taste great in this Mediterranean Farro Stuffed Peppers. The perfect crowd pleaser when you're serving a house-full.
Feta Cheese
The national cheese of Greece is feta cheese, and we're all for it! Feta cheese can only be produced in some areas of the country, and its origins in Greece date back to the 8th century. A brined curd cheese, feta is made primarily from sheep's milk and has a tangy, creamy and salty flavor that is hard not to love. The more aged feta cheese is, the harder it becomes. Though feta cheese is mostly made from sheep's milk, goat's milk is used to make it in some regions. Feta cheese made from sheep's milk features a rich buttery flavor, whereas varieties made from goat's milk produce a more rigid texture and milder flavor. Making feta cheese has been a popular tradition in Greek villages for centuries, and because of its popularity, it is found in several dishes in Greek Cuisine.Add feta cheese to filling Greek-based plates like this Mediterranean Sorghum Grain Bowl. It's the ideal Greek inspired dish full of kalamata olives, garbanzo beans, cucumber and cheese.
Honey
If there's one ingredient that truly stands out on this list of Greek ingredients, it's honey! One of the oldest sweeteners in Greece. Honey's flavor varies on the season it's produced and the flowering plants the nectar is taken from. Because of this, different regions will have different tasting honey that is used in their local dishes. Few countries love and respect beekeepers like Greece. They've even developed laws specifically against the stealing of beehives. One thing that makes Greek honey shine above the rest is the abundance of wildflowers and herbs for bees to choose from. Wild cherries, yellow irises, oregano and thyme, are just a few of many plants Greek bees gather nectar from. When the bees feast on these fresh herbs and flowers, they produce honey that has the same delicious flavor. It's quite common in Greece to consume honey daily, and it's used to sweeten everything from yogurt to traditional dessert recipes like baklava.
Herbs
Like other locally grown produce, herbs genuinely flourish in the Greek climate. The Greek cuisine incorporates herbs into nearly every dish, with some of the most commonly used herbs being thyme, oregano and mint. Herbs and spice can be used fresh and dried, flaked and whole, and even as seeds. However, for the most authentic Greek cooking, fresh herbs should be used whenever possible.Find out how you can use herbs to make a delicious Greek-based meal, and try out this Mediterranean Farro Salad Recipe.
Fruits
The climate in Greece makes it easy to grow fruits year-round, and the dishes often reflect what fruits are in season at the moment. This seasonal eating style produces healthy, flavorful food that is great for you. From fresh winter apples to sweet summer citrus, Greek dishes use fruits and fruit juice in various ways. In Greek cooking, fruits can be used, fresh or dried, and are often paired with nuts to be eaten as a dessert. Some of the most prominent fruits used through Greek cuisine are figs, grapes and pomegranates.Wondering if fruits make the Mediterranean diet food list? Discover all of the different fruits you can enjoy while eating Meditteranean based meals with this list.
Legumes
Legumes are one of the most used ingredients in Greek cooking. A simple and healthy ingredient, legumes have been a staple in Greek kitchens for centuries. Aside from being incredibly nutritious, they're also relatively economical and can help feed large groups of individuals on a budget. While several different varieties of beans are used in Greek cuisine, some of the most popular are chickpeas, lentils, fava beans and split peas. When cooking an authentic Greek dish, beans can be used in several different ways. Made into casseroles and served with a variety of fresh vegetables, or boiled and eaten with a dash of olive oil, lemon juice and oregano, if there's one thing Greeks know about its flavor. Another common way to use beans is by adding them to a hearty soup or stew.Celebrate Meatless Mondays and try out this Greek Garbanzo Bean Salad. A great alternative to antipasto salad, it boasts similar flavors by swapping the pasta with garbanzo beans.
Fish and Seafood
Greek cuisine wouldn't be the same without seafood. Because the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas surround Greece, many of the ingredients used in Greek cooking come from the water. The next time you're craving an authentic Greek meal, we encourage you to choose a seafood recipe. Oily fish like sardines and anchovies are staples in Greek dishes, as well as other types of seafood like octopus and lobster.We hope this list has inspired you to step outside of your comfort zone and try your hand at making authentic Greek cuisine. While there are several dishes to choose from, knowing which ingredients to start with will help you appropriately fill your plate with delicious Greek flavor.Have a favorite Greek-inspired dish that you'd like to share? We can't wait to hear what it is. Let us know in the comments below. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, happy cooking!