From the Mediterranean to Your Table: A Week of Greek-Inspired Dinners
What better way to infuse your culinary adventures with a taste of the Mediterranean than through a week-long exploration of Greek cuisine? You may not have the Aegean Sea lapping at your feet or the white walls of Santorini as your backdrop, but this collection of Greek-inspired recipes will have you feeling like you’re dining in one of Greece's vibrant tavernas. From delicious meat dishes to healthy salads, and flavourful seafood, we have a lineup that's sure to satisfy your appetite. So grab your olive oil, feta cheese, and Greek herbs - and get cooking!
Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric
Monday: Moussaka
Kickstart your week with the hearty layers of the classic Greek Moussaka. This layered dish is Greece's answer to lasagna. Start with thinly sliced eggplant and zucchini layers, cooked until they're tender. The next layer is a savoury blend of ground lamb or beef, simmered with ripe tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a hint of cinnamon. Top it all off with a layer of creamy béchamel sauce and a generous sprinkling of cheese before baking it until it's golden and bubbly.
Tuesday: Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
Next up is a simple, one-pan dish: Greek lemon chicken and potatoes. Marinate chicken pieces in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano, then arrange in a baking dish with thickly sliced potatoes. As the chicken roasts, its flavours seep into the potatoes, making them incredibly tasty. Pair this dish with a refreshing Greek salad on the side, and you've got yourself a satisfying, zesty dinner.
Image by Reinhold Schlager from Pixabay
Wednesday: Spanakopita
Spanakopita, or Greek spinach pie, is a delicious pastry you'll look forward to every time. It's a blend of spinach, feta cheese, onions, and egg, in flaky, crispy layers of phyllo dough. This recipe may require a bit of patience when layering the phyllo, but the resulting golden-crusted spinach pie is worth every minute spent.
Thursday: Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce
These Greek-style skewers are perfect for a relaxed summer evening. The marinade for the meat - pork, chicken, or lamb - is a combination of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano. After grilling, serve the souvlaki in warm pita bread with a generous dollop of homemade tzatziki - a refreshing, yogurt-based sauce with cucumber, garlic, and dill. Accompany with a simple tomato and onion salad for an authentic Greek dinner.
Image by Galina Afanaseva from Pixabay
Friday: Shrimp Saganaki
Named after the two-handled frying pan it's cooked in, Shrimp Saganaki is a seafood lover's dream. This dish brings together shrimp, ripe tomatoes, and a splash of ouzo, the anise-flavored Greek spirit that adds a distinct flavour. Top the dish with crumbled feta cheese, then bake until the cheese is golden and the shrimp are perfectly cooked.
Saturday: Pastitsio
Pastitsio is a Greek-style pasta bake that can be likened to Italian Bolognese. It's a delicious blend of pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy béchamel. The ground beef or lamb is cooked in a tomato-based sauce with a hint of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, layered with pasta and covered with the béchamel sauce. It's comfort food at its finest!
Image by Nikola Tinková from Pixabay
Sunday: Baklava
Round off your Greek culinary adventure with an iconic baklava. This sweet treat consists of layers of delicate phyllo pastry, filled with chopped nuts and a sticky honey syrup, perfumed with a hint of cinnamon and clove.
Although baklava takes a bit of time and care to assemble, the end result is a rich, sweet, and nutty dessert that will end your Greek-inspired week on a high note.
Image by djpresc16 from Pixabay
Embrace the spirit of Greek cooking and dining - the joy of sharing good food around the table. These recipes are about gathering, celebrating, and indulging in a lifestyle that prioritizes taste, quality, and most importantly, enjoyment.
