10 Stars & Celebs Pick Their Favorite Greek Foods

Leave it to one of my all-time favorite actors, Olympia Dukakis, to choose fabulous Grilled Octopus. It's a classic image that comes to mind when many think of Greece: sitting under an umbrella by the seaside, with ouzo or wine and a plate of freshly grilled octopus. It's delicious, and you can create the same atmosphere at home.

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The lovely Melina Kanakaredes is very definite: her favorite Greek dish is Dolmathes me Kima - stuffed grape leaves with meat, topped with avgolemono sauce.

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The huge success of this film, both in the US and in Greece (and around the world) has resulted in Michael Constantine's immediate identification with... Windex! His favorite Greek foods? Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves) and Spanakopita (spinach and cheese pie).

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Alexander Payne has written, directed, and produced too many films to mention. This Academy Award winner loves Greek lamb dishes and Spanakopita (Spinach Pie).

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Debbie Matenopoulos has more than one or two favorites. She adores Spanakopita (Spinach and Cheese Pie) and says she has a great recipe (no doubt!), Greek lamb dishes, especially the way her father makes it at Easter, Moussaka, and Yemista (Stuffed Vegetables).

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The multi-talented Penelope Spheeris has one word for her favorite Greek food: Baklava!

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Versatile Adoni Maropis has two favorite Greek foods that, he says, will make him a happy man: Moussaka and Phoenikia (say: fee-NEEK-yah) - which are Melomakarona - traditional honey-soaked nut and spice cookies.

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Stratton Leopold ("Red Thread" "Mission Impossible III," "Star Trek," et al) and his lovely wife, Mary, agree: sweet things are the best. Her favorite: Bougatsa, a cream filled pastry, and his is Karythopita - a syrup-drenched walnut cake. They both agree that there's nothing better than a fresh Greek Salad.

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Michael Papajohn (far right) is a big fan of Greek chicken dishes, and in particular, a family recipe. He also likes Greek salad and Spanakopita (Spinach and Cheese Pie).

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Tyler Neitzel wowed us in the movie "300" and he has a few favorite Greek foods: Baklava tops his list, followed by the fabulous Kourabiethes (sugared almond coookies), and Souvlaki (skewered kebabs). He's young... he can stand the calories!

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