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.
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.
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.
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.
