Tag Archives: Tomato

Feb 15 2012

Do you know how to make Greek salad?

The Greek country (or rustic) salad (Choriatiki in Greek) is worldwide known as simply “Greek salad”. It is considered a summer salad and basically it is made of tomato, cucumber, onion, black olives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, salt and dried oregano. Optionally, it is enriched with Greek “feta” cheese, green pepper and even sometimes and in some places with vinegar and capers.

However, you can find other variations of the Greek salad but it is always served in a soup plate which is large enough to keep a large amount of olive oil together with the tomato liquid (the salt tends to extract all the liquids out of the vegetables, that is why it is better to be added when served. That is also the reason why yesterday’s salad is always richer in flavor and liquids, perfect for a bread dip.) It is a perfect kids recipe as it combines freshness with all the benefits from fresh vegetables and virgin olive oil.

 The Greek salad goes well with everything…

 And in Greece you can find it everywhere…

Jan 3 2012

IMAM BAILDI-a Greek dish-Is it?

In Greece, we use to cook with vegetables. Any dish with vegetables holds an important place in our kitchen. Unlike other “cuisines”, we cook them mainly with olive oil since it is produced locally and it’s our country’s top-selling exporting product. During the summer, you can taste a lot of Greek recipes that contain eggplants, zucchini and tomatoes. The following recipe is also suitable for vegetarians. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

4 slim, elongated eggplants, about 700 gr – 1 kg

150 ml extra virgin olive oil

sea salt

freshly ground pepper

450 gr. onions, thinly sliced

3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced  

450 gr. tomatoes, peeled and sliced

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon sugar

HOW TO

Cut the stalks off the eggplants and rinse them.

Using a sharp knife, slit them lengthwise on one side only,

making sure you do not slit all the way through.

They should open like a wallet, so you can put the stuffing in the opening.

Shallow-fry them gently all around in 4 tablespoons olive oil.

If not enough you can add some more oil in the frying pan.

Take out and arrange side by side in a small oven dish and season them.

Put the rest of the olive oil in a saucepan and sautee the onions and garlic in it

until they are slightly golden. Add fresh tomatoes and half a cupful of water.

Season. Add the oregano and sugar and cook gently, covered, for 15 minutes.

With a spoon, fill the eggplants with this stuffing, opening them slightly.

They should be quite soft by now. Virtually pile the stuffing in them, filling them generously.

Normally they generate enough juices on their own so no addition of liquid is necessary in the oven dish.

Cook in a pre-heated oven, gas no. 4 (350 grades F/180 grades C), for 40 minutes.

Dec 28 2011

My Greek,turkey sandwich

Do you have leftovers from the Christmas table?

Did you already have more than enough fatty meals ?

Don’t worry. Here’s a healthier, Mediterranean suggestion. I love it.

 

 

Ingredients

2 slices (1/2 inch thick) hearty country bread

4 slices roasted turkey breast

1 big lettuce leaf

1 small onion sliced

4 sun-dried tomatoes

Basil Vinaigrette Dressing                      

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Oregano

Sea salt – Freshly ground pepper

Directions

First take a small casserole and boil the onion slices into some salty water until they soften. Put aside.

From the casserole take a few drops of hot water and pour into a bowl with the sun-dried tomatoes. This will revive the dried tomatoes bringing back all their juicy flavor. Leave them there as you move along with your sandwich.

Pre-heat the oven at 180 oC. Take the bread slices, pour 4 tbsp of olive oil into both slices and sprinkle with oregano, salt and pepper. Put into oven, high, and grill them just until they start to become brownish and crispy. When ready, take them out and place into a dish. Then add the lettuce, the turkey and the vinaigrette dressing. Continue with the onions and the tomatoes. Season according to taste.

For an alternative, healthy and quick turkey sandwich. Enjoy !