The Gift of the Greek : 75 Authentic Recipes for the Mediterranean Diet

A rustic but modern cookbook, filled with traditional recipes passed down through several generations of Greek and Mediterranean cooks. With a minimalist feel and an emphasis on the use of fresh ingredients, limited use of processed raw ingredients, and a generous dose of olive oil in almost every dish, this is a cookbook that moves focus away from weight management enthusiasts, toward the more health-conscious foodie. In The Gift of the Greek, you will find recipes for colorful, vibrant salads, delicious specialty breads, an array of dips for every occasion, and an abundance of desserts influenced by Greece’s geographical position as a checkpoint between the East and the West. Fragrant syrups, eastern spices, and heartwarming custards adorn the pages of this contemporary, yet traditional cookbook. For generations the Greek diet was almost exclusively vegan, which is something that resulted from the country’s close relationship with religion and, subsequently, lent. This book is designed with the traditional Greek diet in mind, using a minimal amount of meat. Eat your way to a healthy olive-oiled heart, and live as long as George, Yiota’s 99-year-old granddad!\*\* INTRODUCTION APPETIZERS AND SALADS Vine Leaf and Rice Rolls (Ντολμαδάκια Γιαλαντζί) Butter Beans (Γίγαντες Γιανί) Traditional Lettuce Salad with a Vinaigrette Sauce (Μαρουλοσαλάτα) Peasants’ Salad (Χωριάτικη Σαλάτα) Honey and Sesame Cheese (Σαγανάκι) Seafood Salad (Σαλάτα με Θαλασσινά) Swirly Cheese Pie (Στριφτή Τυρόπιτα) Shrimp in a Tomato and Ouzo Sauce (Γαρίδες Σαγανάκι) Bulgur Wheat and Feta Cheese Salad (Σαλάτα με Πλιγούρι και Τυρί Φέτα) Puy Lentil, Tuna, and Rice Salad (Σαλάτα με Φακές, Τόνο και Ρύζι.) Potato Salad with Greek Yogurt (Πατατοσαλάτα με Στραγγιστό Γιαούρτι) MAIN DISHES Garden Peas with Carrots and Potatoes (Αρακάς) Chickpea Soup (Ρεβυθόσουπα) Spinach and Feta Cheese Pie (Σπανακόπιτα) Stuffed Squid (Γεμιστά Καλαμαράκια) Quick and Easy Leftover Pork and Orzo Pasta Stew Cauliflower and Rice (Κουνουπίδι με Ρύζι) Puy Lentil Stew (Φακές) Quick and Easy Green Beans (Φασολάκια) Bean Broth (Φασολάδα) Mum’s Chicken and Rice Soup with a Lemon and Egg Sauce (Κοτόσουπα Αυγολέμονο) Smyrna Meatballs (Σουτζουκάκια Σμυρνέικα) Lemon Chicken with Rice (Κοτόπουλο Λεμονάτο) Mince Pie (Κιμαδόπιτα) Chicken Giouvetsi (Κοτόπουλο Γιουβέτσι) Yiota’s Chicken Kebab (Γύρος Κοτόπουλο) Family Pork Roast (Χοιρινό στη Γάστρα) Steamed Mussels (Μύδια Ανιστά) Mama Vivi’s Haddock with Leeks (Μπακαλιάρος με Πράσo της Μαμάς Βιβής) Trout Fillet with Spinach (Γοφάρι με Σπανάκι) Sea Bream with Vegetables and Potatoes (Φαγκρί με Λαανικά και Πατάτες) Moussaka (Μουσακάς) Pasta Pie (Παστίτσιο) Chicken Breast with Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables (Μπριάμ με Κοτόπουλο) Halloumi Pita with Salad and Black Forest Ham (Χαλουμόπιτα) Okras Giahni (Μπάμιες) Beef Stifado (Μοσάρι Στιφάδο) Mum’s Stuffed Vegetables (Γεμιστά) Wine and Tomato Chicken with Linguine (Κόκορας Κρασάτος) Linguine with Homemade Pesto (Λινγκουίνι με Σπιτικό Πέστο) DIPS Tzatziki (Τζατζίκι) Eggplant Dip (Μελιτζανοσαλάτα) Yellow Split Pea Dip (Φάβα) Hummus (Χούμους) Feta Cheese and Sweet Red Pepper Dip (Ντίπ με Φέτα και Κόκκινη Πιπεριά) Sweet Red Pepper Salsa Dip (Σάλσα Κόκκινης Πιπεριάς) Harissa Dip (Ντίπ με Χαρίσα) Sesame Paste (Ταίνι) Granddad Georgios’s Garlic Potatoes (Σκορδαλιά) BREADS Greek Pita Bread (Πίτα) Halloumi Pie (Χαλλουμωτή) Lagana Bread (Λαγάνα) Black Olive Bread (Ελιόψωμο) Seeded Bread with Sultanas and Raisins (Πολύσπορο Ψωμί με Μαύρες Σταφίδες και Σουλτανίνες) SWEETS Cream-filled Filo Pastry Pie (Μπουγάτσα) Hard Christmas Cookies (Κουραμπιέδες) Fried Filo Pastry Bites in Syrup (Κουρκουμπίνια) Greek Doughnuts (Λουκουμάδες) Twice-Baked Greek Style Biscotti (Διπλοφουρνιστά Παξιμάδια) Ravani (Ραβανί) Greek Soft Christmas Honey Cookies (Μελομακάρονα) Auntie Sofia’s Sweet Pumpkin Pie (Κολοκυθένια) Greek Churros (Τουλουμπάκια) INDEX CONVERSION CHARTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS "With a minimalist feel and an emphasis on the use of fresh ingredients, limited use of processed raw ingredients, and a generous dose of olive oil in almost every dish, this is a cookbook that moves focus away from weight management enthusiasts, toward the more health-conscious foodie. In The Gift of the Greek, you will find recipes for colorful, vibrant salads, delicious specialty breads, an array of dips for every occasion, and an abundance of desserts influenced by Greece's geographical position as a checkpoint between the East and the West. Fragrant syrups, eastern spices, and heartwarming custards adorn the pages of this contemporary, yet traditional cookbook. For generations the Greek diet was almost exclusively vegan, which is something that resulted from the country's close relationship with religion and, subsequently, lent. This book is designed with the traditional Greek diet in mind, using a minimal amount of meat. Eat your way to a healthy olive-oiled heart, and live as long as George, Yiota's 99-year-old granddad!"-- Provided by publisher