Greece

This week we tackled the country of Greece in International Foods. I've been intrigued by this country since the Kardashians went there a few episodes ago.

Greek traditional food is unique for it's nutritional and health value. This is mainly because of it's Mediterranean climate. Greece is a nation of farmers who produce an array of cheeses, oils, fruits, nuts, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Greece's climate is perfect for growing olive and lemon trees, two key ingredients in Greek cooking. 20% of Greece is made of islands and no part of the Greek mainland is more than 90 miles from the seas, this makes fish and other seafood popular dishes. Lamb and goat, which are typically thought of as Greek dishes, are traditionally holiday meals. Greece is covered in vineyards, making wine a national spirit.

Greek Salad
Ingredients

• 1/2 head of iceberg or romaine lettuce
• 2 tomatoes, quartered, or 10 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 green pepper, cored, seeded, and sliced
• 5 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup feta cheese, broken into chunks
• 12 to 16 black Greek olives
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Recipe

1. Wash and prepare all vegetables.
2. Tear lettuce into bite size pieces and put into salad bowl.
3. Add tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, scallions, feta cheese and olives.
4. Pour dressing over salad and toss.
5. Serve on chilled salad plates.

Dressing
Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Recipe

1. Whisk together all ingredients except olive oil.
2. Slowly add olive oil, whisking constantly.

My Thoughts

Not going to lie, I didn't even try this dish. Salad is a type of food that has never really interested me. It's pretty much like eating grass and leaves if you ask me, and that does not sound appetizing. Personally, I think we should have made something else for this Greece unit. A salad seems to be a classic dish in most countries and I would've liked to make a true Greek dish, not just an appetizer. Anyways, I wasn't pleased with this unit and I'm ready for the next. Italy here we come!