Ask someone about Greek food, and some version of all or most of these dishes will be mentioned.
From simple grilled foods and vegetable dishes to rich layered casseroles and delicate pastries, Greek food is a wonderful mix of dishes that appeal to all tastes. The traditions of healthy country cooking have been expanded over the centuries, and today, Greece is famous for a diverse range of family meals, holiday foods, and elaborate presentation dishes.
The list could be longer (think lemon chicken, chickpeas, and more), but this is a good start.
Listed alphabetically.
21. Spinach Pie with Cheese (Spanakopita or Spanakotyropita)
Photo © Jim Stanfield
In Greek: σπανακόπιτα, say: spah-nah-KO-pee-tah
Although this dish is widely known as spanakopita (spinach pie), the full name is spanakotyropita - spanaki is spinach, tyri is cheese, and pita is pie. Put it all together and you get spinach and cheese pie, but that's quite a mouthful, so both versions - with and without cheese - are often called by the shorter name: spanakopita.
This recipe makes 20 good-sized pieces. The night before, take a few minutes to cook the spinach and onion. Drain overnight and, once you start making the pita, it takes a few minutes to put together and about 25 minutes to bake. The recipe includes a link to step by step photos.
Treat yourself to this classic Greek dish as a party food, snack, side, or main dish.
Although this dish is widely known as spanakopita (spinach pie), the full name is spanakotyropita - spanaki is spinach, tyri is cheese, and pita is pie. Put it all together and you get spinach and cheese pie, but that's quite a mouthful, so both versions - with and without cheese - are often called by the shorter name: spanakopita.
This recipe makes 20 good-sized pieces. The night before, take a few minutes to cook the spinach and onion. Drain overnight and, once you start making the pita, it takes a few minutes to put together and about 25 minutes to bake. The recipe includes a link to step by step photos.
Treat yourself to this classic Greek dish as a party food, snack, side, or main dish.
22. Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmathes or Dolmades)
Photo © N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.
In Greek: ντολμάδες, say: dohl-MAH-thes
Stuffed grape leaves are a favorite appetizer and meze, and one of the most traditional of all Greek dishes. They can also be served as a side dish.
Fillings can include meat, although some of the tastiest are filled with a mixture of rice and herbs, and leaves of almost every variety of grape can be used.
Recipes include links to photo tutorials showing how to fill and roll the leaves - both for beginners and also for more advanced cooks.
Stuffed grape leaves are a favorite appetizer and meze, and one of the most traditional of all Greek dishes. They can also be served as a side dish.
Fillings can include meat, although some of the tastiest are filled with a mixture of rice and herbs, and leaves of almost every variety of grape can be used.
Recipes include links to photo tutorials showing how to fill and roll the leaves - both for beginners and also for more advanced cooks.
23. Stuffed Vegetables (Lahanika Yemista)
Photo © Jim Stanfield
In Greek: λαχανικά γεμιστά, say: lah-hah-nee-KAH yeh-mee-STAH
If it's a vegetable that can hold stuffing, chances are there's a Greek recipe for it. Favorites are tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and eggplant, and potatoes also work well.
Fillings can include meat or be meatless, and the variety of herbs is endless. Creativity is the rule!
If it's a vegetable that can hold stuffing, chances are there's a Greek recipe for it. Favorites are tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and eggplant, and potatoes also work well.
Fillings can include meat or be meatless, and the variety of herbs is endless. Creativity is the rule!
24. Sugared Almond Cookies (Kourabiethes or Kourabiedes)
Photo © N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.
In Greek: κουραμπιέδες, say: koo-rahm-bee-YEH-thes
The ultimate celebration cookies, and a favorite at weddings and baptisms because of their white color, kourabiethes are shortbread-type cookies, loaded with roasted almonds, and then dusted with more than a generous helping of confectioner's sugar.
The recipe includes links to more versions, as well as a photo tutorial showing the process.
The ultimate celebration cookies, and a favorite at weddings and baptisms because of their white color, kourabiethes are shortbread-type cookies, loaded with roasted almonds, and then dusted with more than a generous helping of confectioner's sugar.
The recipe includes links to more versions, as well as a photo tutorial showing the process.
25. Sweet Egg Bread (Tsoureki)
Photo © N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.
In Greek: τσουρέκι, say: tsoo-REH-kee
Tsoureki may be best known as an Easter tradition, when it's decorated with red eggs, but it's a delightful sweet bread often served as a dessert bread, breakfast bread, or snack.
Tsoureki is a sweet egg bread, and this recipe is simpler than other versions because it doesn't call for some of the hard-to-find ingredients in more traditional loaves - and it produces a delicious result.
Tsoureki may be best known as an Easter tradition, when it's decorated with red eggs, but it's a delightful sweet bread often served as a dessert bread, breakfast bread, or snack.
Tsoureki is a sweet egg bread, and this recipe is simpler than other versions because it doesn't call for some of the hard-to-find ingredients in more traditional loaves - and it produces a delicious result.