These look like the real deal
Lemon bougatsa is a kind of lemon custard surrounded by filo pastry and soaked in honey.
Sources: (Fine Cooking) (Greeking.me) (Jamie Oliver) (Olive Magazine)
See also: The coolest cucumber recipes for summer
This simple and refreshing summer salad is the perfect accompaniment to a barbecue. It balances the heaviness of the grilled meats like a dream.
Baklava is a traditional dessert found in Greece, Turkey, and throughout the Middle East. It consists of layers of filo pastry filled with ground nuts and soaked in honey.
The ancient Greeks are credited with the invention of democracy and maps, but the one thing they don't get enough credit for is their food. Italian cuisine is one of the most adored in the world, but when it comes to summer, you've got to go Greek. Greek food is the epitome of the Mediterranean diet, which is now being lauded for its health benefits and contribution to longevity. Not only is it good for you, but it's also vibrant, delicious, and made to be eaten under blue skies and sun!
Click through this gallery to see the very best of Greek cuisine to inspire your summer cooking.
Melitzanosalata is a Greek eggplant dip made by blending roasted eggplant flesh with garlic, lemon, olive oil, and parsley. It's a perfect addition to a mezze platter served with pita bread.
Liven up your morning avocado toast with a few Greek additions! Add crumbled feta cheese, black olives, and a sprinkling of oregano.
Fasolakia is a Greek sidedish of green beans cooked in a tomato sauce with the usual suspects: garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley. Chunks of potato are often also included in the dish.
Portokalopita is a delicious Greek orange cake that is soaked with a sweet syrup and the juice of fresh oranges. It's the perfect summer dessert.
Keftedes can also be a main course if served on a flatbread or pita bread with salad and any number of Greek-style sauces.
Keftedes are a traditional meatball usually made with a mix of beef and pork, and a combination of Greek herbs and spices. They're fried and can be served as a starter or mezze with tzatziki.
Feta is a staple of Greek cuisine and is an extremely versatile ingredient. This whipped feta dip has become a popular recipe around the world. The feta cheese is mixed with olive oil, Greek yogurt, and garlic in a food processor to give it a lighter, whipped texture. You can add lemon juice, honey, or sesame seeds for a little variation.
Fish a la Spetsiota is one of the most popular Greek fish dishes. It consists of a white fish like cod or grouper baked in a tomato sauce with onion, garlic, lemon, parsley, and honey.
Spanikopita is a type of pastry that's stuffed with a mix of feta cheese and spinach. It's a perfect summer snack or side dish to a lunchtime salad.
Greek roast potatoes are the food of the gods. Parboil the potatoes in chicken stock before coating in lemon juice, garlic, sea salt, oregano,and olive oil, and roast until crispy.
Giouvetsi is an oven-baked beef and orzo stew with a herby tomato sauce. Orzo is a type of pasta that looks like a large grain of rice, commonly found in Mediterranean cuisine.
Roast zucchinis that are cut lengthways, and stuff them with spiced lamb for a delicious weeknight dinner. Sprinkle with cheese and broil for the finale!
Chicken souvlaki consists of marinated chicken pieces grilled on a skewer. A typical marinade might include lemon juice, paprika, garlic, sugar, oregano, rosemary, and white wine.
Gemista is a simple and traditional Greek recipe. Tomatoes or other vegetables such as peppers or eggplant are stuffed with fillings and roasted in the oven. The vegetarian version includes seasoned rice and vegetables, but they can also be stuffed with minced beef or pork.
Souvlaki can also be made with other meats, such as lamb, pork, or beef. They're ideal for an elevated summer barbecue that goes beyond burgers and hot dogs.
On the topic of dips, skordalia is a uniquely Greek creation that goes great with pita bread or fried fish. Crushed garlic is combined with potatoes, almonds, olive oil, and lemon juice.
Dolmadakia are a traditional Ottoman appetizer of seasoned rice rapped in grape leaves. The herby rice is flavored with lemon juice, dill, parsley, and mint. You can make them fresh when grape leaves are in season, or buy the jarred version preserved in olive oil.
Shrimp saganaki is a traditional appetizer you'll find at tavernas all across Greece. Shrimp are cooked in a heavy iron skillet with a savory tomato sauce and covered with feta cheese before being baked in the oven.
Lamb is a lot more common in Greek food than other meats like beef and pork. Switch up your summer barbecue with a homemade lamb burger, made with high-quality minced lamb and a mix of Greek herbs and spices.
This simple dish makes fresh eggplants the star. Slice them lengthways and season with za'atar, sumac, and olive oil before grilling on the barbecue. Drizzle with tzatziki and plum sauce to finish.
Kolokithakia keftedes are made by grating zucchinis and mixing them with fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, flour, and egg. Fry them in oil and you'll have a delicious, crunchy starter to go with one of your Greek dips!
This simple and refreshing summer salad combines thinly sliced cucumbers and shallots with crumbled feta and mint. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice before serving.
Halloumi is the king of cheeses. This traditional Greek cheese is made to be fried until it's charred and crispy on the outside, and satisfyingly chewy on the inside. It goes perfectly on top of a summer salad paired with orange slices and pomegranate seeds to complement the saltiness of the cheese.
This Greek-style salad bowl is the perfect nourishing summer lunch. Grill chicken with lemon juice, herbs, and spices, and add to a bowl of salad and grains with Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a tzatziki dressing.
Halloumi is also fantastic on the barbecue for vegetarian guests (or anyone who just loves cheese). The salty, chewy texture is a great replacement for meat in a burger.
Tzatziki is a simple and cooling dip made from Greek yogurt, shredded cucumbers, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs like mint or dill. It's the most important recipe to start with because it goes perfectly with nearly every other recipe on this list!
Greek-inspired recipes for summer cooking
The Mediterranean nation knows how to eat in the sun
FOOD Mediterranean
The ancient Greeks are credited with the invention of democracy and maps, but the one thing they don't get enough credit for is their food. Italian cuisine is one of the most adored in the world, but when it comes to summer, you've got to go Greek. Greek food is the epitome of the Mediterranean diet, which is now being lauded for its health benefits and contribution to longevity. Not only is it good for you, but it's also vibrant, delicious, and made to be eaten under blue skies and sun!
Click through this gallery to see the very best of Greek cuisine to inspire your summer cooking.