What are some traditional Greek ingredients commonly used in lunch dishes?
Liven up your lunch with these delicious Greek-inspired dishes
Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A classic Greek salad is a refreshing and healthy lunch option. The combination of crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, salty feta cheese, and tangy olives is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
- 1 head of lettuce, chopped
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup of Kalamata olives
- 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
To make the lemon vinaigrette, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese. Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.
Lamb Gyro Wraps
Gyros are a popular street food in Greece, and they make for a delicious lunch. This recipe calls for lamb, but you can also use beef, chicken, or even roasted vegetables for a vegetarian option.
- 1 pound of lamb, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 4 pita breads
- 1 cup of tzatziki sauce
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, mix together the oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture onto the lamb slices. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the lamb until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Place the pita breads on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for a few minutes. To assemble the wraps, spread tzatziki sauce on the pita breads, then add the cooked lamb, sliced tomato, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Roll up the wraps tightly and enjoy!
Baklava
Baklava is a sweet dessert made with layers of phyllo pastry, chopped nuts, and honey syrup. It’s a tasty way to end your Greek-inspired lunch.
- 1 package of phyllo pastry
- 1 cup of walnuts, chopped
- 1 cup of almonds, chopped
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup of honey
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a baking dish with butter. In a large bowl, mix together the chopped nuts, sugar, and cinnamon. Brush a layer of melted butter on the bottom of the baking dish. Lay a sheet of phyllo pastry on top of the butter and brush it with melted butter. Continue layering phyllo pastry and melted butter until you have used half of the pastry sheets. Spread the nut mixture in an even layer on top of the phyllo pastry. Layer the remaining phyllo pastry on top, brushing each sheet with melted butter. Cut the baklava into diamond shapes using a sharp knife. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown. While the baklava is baking, make the honey syrup by combining the honey, water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat, letting the mixture simmer until it thickens slightly. Pour the hot syrup over the hot baklava, making sure to cover all the diamond cuts. Let it cool before serving. Enjoy!