The essence of Greek cuisine is simple; good quality fresh ingredients, lovingly prepared, rustic, authentic and flavorsome.

Greek cooking varies from region to region however it is always extremely healthy and delicious. Most dishes that include meat or poultry can be made equally delicious in a vegetarian version of that recipe. This is essential for the many days of fasting throughout the Orthodox calendar.

Essential to Greek cuisine is olive oil, lemon, rigani, tomato, pulses, feta, yoghurt, olives and a range of seafood, poultry and meat. Dishes are seasoned with spices including cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, black and white pepper, cumin, and pimento to name a few.

Growing herbs whether on a balcony or in an herb patch allows cooks to infuse their dishes with freshly picked ingredients that provide optimal flavors. Popular herbs include dill, basil, fennel, mint, oregano and parsley.

Sweets are made for special occasions. Most recipes call for nuts, honey, citrus, cloves and cinnamon. Usually Greeks enjoy fresh seasonal fruit, nuts or yoghurt after a meal.

Greek cooks expertly preserve fruits and vegetables to be used throughout the year including fruit for spoon sweets, tomato paste, pickled vegetables and olives.

Of course it is customary to enjoy a Greek coffee after a meal, served as either vari (strong), metrio (medium), or glyko (sweet).

How do you like to take your coffee? What is your ritual?

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