What are some staple ingredients in a traditional Greek dinner?
Indulge in the Flavorful Delights of a Traditional Greek Dinner: A Recipe Guide
If you’re looking to add some Mediterranean flair to your dinner table, look no further than a traditional Greek dinner. With its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and healthy preparations, Greek cuisine is beloved around the world. In this recipe guide, we’ll take you through four courses of a typical Greek dinner, from appetizers to dessert. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
First Course: Spanakopita
- 1 package of phyllo dough
- 2 pounds of spinach, chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 1/2 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large skillet, sauté onion and spinach in olive oil until the spinach is wilted.
- In a separate bowl, mix together crumbled feta cheese, beaten eggs, salt, and pepper.
- Layer phyllo dough in a 9×13 inch baking dish, brushing each layer with olive oil.
- Spread spinach mixture over phyllo.
- Pour feta cheese mixture over spinach.
- Finish with a layer of phyllo on top, brushing with olive oil.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Second Course: Greek Salad
- 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup of kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- In a large bowl, combine lettuce, red onion, cucumber, green pepper, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over salad.
- Serve immediately.
Third Course: Chicken Souvlaki
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Pita bread and tzatziki sauce for serving
- In a large bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Thread marinated chicken, onion, and bell pepper onto skewers.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill skewers for 10-12 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with warm pita bread and tzatziki sauce.
Final Course: Baklava
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- 1 pound of phyllo dough
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cups of chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1/2 cup of honey
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together chopped nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Layer half of the phyllo dough in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, brushing each layer with melted butter.
- Sprinkle nut mixture over phyllo.
- Layer remaining phyllo dough on top of nut mixture, brushing each layer with melted butter.
- Cut baklava into diamond shapes with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine honey, water, and lemon juice.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove baklava from oven and immediately pour honey mixture over the