Recipes from Greece are known for fresh ingredients, vibrant flavours and savoury textures. Whether you are a fan of gyros, moussaka or tzatziki, Greek cuisine has something for everyone. Let’s take a culinary journey together to the sunny beaches and idyllic villages of Greece with these three delicious recipes.
Gyros with tzatziki
Ingredients
- 500 g lamb or chicken, cut into thin strips
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 pita buns
- Tzatziki sauce (see recipe below)
- Freshly chopped tomatoes, onions and lettuce for serving
Instructions
- Mix the meat with garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin powder, salt and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and fry the strips of meat until cooked and golden brown.
- Heat the pita buns according to the instructions on the packet.
- Fill the pita rolls with the grilled meat and serve with tzatziki, sliced tomatoes, onions and lettuce.
Tzatziki sauce:
- 1 cucumber, grated and drained
- 250 g Greek yoghurt
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and leave it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
Source photo: IStock
Moussaka
Ingredients
- 2 large aubergines, sliced
- 500 g minced meat (beef or lamb)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 400 g diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 50 g butter
- 50 g flour
- 500 ml milk
- 100 g grated cheese
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C. Brush the aubergine slices with olive oil, place on a baking tray and bake in the oven until soft and golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Heat some olive oil in a pan and fry the onion and garlic until soft. Add the minced meat and fry until browned. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- For the béchamel sauce: melt the butter in a pan, add the flour and stir well. Gradually add the milk and keep stirring until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and add half the grated cheese.
- Grease a baking dish and place a layer of aubergine slices on the bottom. Add the mince mixture on top and cover with another layer of aubergine. Pour the béchamel sauce over the top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake the moussaka in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Greek salad
Ingredients
- 4 tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 red onion, cut into thin rings
- 100 g feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup olives, pitted
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese and olives in a large bowl.
- Make the dressing by mixing olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.
- Serve immediately as a side dish or as a light lunch.
Enjoy these delicious recipes of Greece and let your taste buds dance to the melodies of the Mediterranean! Enjoy your meal!