Taste of Greece

April 04, 2008
Greek food is a go-to for its bright flavors and healthy cooking techniques. You'll love being able to make these traditional favorites at home.
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Greek Salad

Rachel Weill
Greek Salad Recipe
In Greece, a version of this refreshing salad accompanies virtually every meal. Unlike most American salads, this calls for no lettuce, just chunks of tomato, cucumber, and onion tossed in a light lemon vinaigrette.
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Egg, Lemon, and Rice Soup (Avgolemono Soupa)

Rachel Weill
Egg, Lemon, and Rice Soup (Avgolemono Soupa) Recipe
If you hesitate ordering this soup at restaurants for fear of butchering the pronunciation, just break it down: Greek for egg is "avgo" and lemon is "lemono." Avgolemono's real secret, however, is that the creamy soup is a snap to make at home–it uses only 5 ingredients, all of which are pantry staples.

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Meat, Bulgur, and Rice Dolmades

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell
Meat, Bulgur, and Rice Dolmades Recipe
A moist, beefy filling perfumed with the subtle aroma of fennel makes these leaf-wrapped appetizers a welcome addition to any mezze table. And making the sauce couldn't be easier: after simmering the little packages in broth, simply thicken the remaining liquid with a bit of cornstarch.
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Greens-and-Cheese Pie (Hortopita)

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell
Greens-and-Cheese Pie (Hortopita) Recipe
Most of us know and love spanakopita, the popular spinach-and-feta pie. But one bite of hortopita, its sassier cousin, and you're sure to be a convert. Made with a tasty mix of greens and herbs ("horto" simply means "greens" in Greek), it's a deliciously rustic twist on a classic.

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Chicken Souvlaki

Photo: Karry Hosford
Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
One of the most appealing aspects of Greek cuisine is the simplicity of its ingredients. For instance, kitchen staples like lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and oregano give ordinary chicken skewers a kick of flavor. Served with tzatziki, a cooling sauce made from yogurt and shredded cucumber, this makes for a quick Greek feast.

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Grilled Flank Steak Gyros

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Claire Spollen
Grilled Flank Steak Gyros Recipe
Don't feel like a sandwich? Serve the steak topped with the cucumber sauce and the vegetables as a side salad. Cut the flatbread into triangles, and toast until crisp.
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Aegean Lamb with Orzo

HOWARD L. PUCKETT
Aegean Lamb with Orzo Recipe
Traditionally prepared in an earthenware pot called a "youvetsi," this dish of slow-cooked lamb is a warming supper that couldn't be simpler. Start the lamb in a slow cooker, then leave it to simmer all day. When ready to eat, just combine feta and cooked orzo, a small grain-shaped pasta, with the juicy, fork-tender lamb.

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Greek-style Lemon Potatoes

Annabelle Breakey
Greek-style Lemon Potatoes Recipe
Potatoes baked with lemon and olive oil are an irresistible side dish. In this recipe, go ahead and gild the lily with the addition of feta: it adds a delightful richness and tang.

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Baklava with Wildflower Honey

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr
Baklava with Wildflower Honey Recipe
Many baklava recipes call for just one or two nuts in the filling, but the combination of pistachios, walnuts, and almonds sends this dessert over the top. And although it looks impossibly fancy, working with phyllo is a breeze when using this clever technique: instead of brushing each layer with melted butter, simply coat them with cooking spray.
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Greek-Style Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts

William Meppem
Greek-Style Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts Recipe
You'll be stunned at what an impact four ingredients can make. Splurge on a lush Greek-style yogurt for this blessedly simple dessert and savor the contrast between the tart yogurt and caramel-like sweetness of honey.

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More Greek Favorites

There are many other Greek classics to enjoy, from creamy moussaka to homemade pita bread.
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