Taking time to create a theme around the experience of enjoying a meal is one of those special host touches that effect the evening more than you might expect. Setting the tone, the music, the dress and the environment captivate your guests to allow them to enter another, more intimate space with you.

Greek food is simple, colourful and full of robust flavours. Greeks love their food and can spend hours at the lunch/dinner table.  One of the most memorable things I learnt about cooking while in Greece was to take time to prepare food, and enjoy it – making the preparation of the food as enjoyable as eating it. 

Contemporary Greek cookery is typical of Mediterranean cuisine, making wide use of olive oil, grains and bread, wine, fish, and various meats, including poultry and rabbit.  Greece has an ancient culinary tradition that has evolved and absorbed numerous influences and influenced many cuisines. Traditionally meals are not too refined, though recent trends have moved to a more refined approach.

Typically a Greek meal will include Mezedes (Meze) – a collective name for a variety of small dishes, served as an appretizer with wine, Uozo or Tsipouro.  There is nothing more delicious than a simple starter of crispy grilled halloumi cheese, served with a wedge of lemon, or fresh warm pita triangles accompanied by a variety of creamy dips like Tzatziki (yoghurt and cucumber) and taramasalata (fish roe, bread crumbs and loads of lemon juice).  Phyllo parcels are always very popular at dinner parties and they can have different types of fillings that can include cheese, cheese and spinach, chicken or meat.

Greek main meals are a meat-lover's dream. Kleftiko is a wonderfully dish made by marinating lamb shanks in olive oil, herbs and lemon juice, and then slow roasting them for several hours. The result is meat so tender, that it literally falls off the bone at the slightest touch of a fork tip.  Moussaka is very well known - tasty beef or lamb mince layered between slices of fried eggplant and topped with an eggy white sauce and cheese before being baked till bubbling and golden. Souvlaki makes a great lunch - skewers of beef, lamb or pork, which are seared and served in pita bread with a crunchy salad of raw tomato, onion and cucumber.

Greek desserts are famous around the world.  Baklava (a popular sweet middle eastern dessert, of phyllo pastry layers with nuts, sugar, syrup, honey and cloves) is divine when home-made.  Other deserts include Galaktoboureko (custard between layers of phyllo pastry), walnut cake, cookies or simply yogurt with honey and fresh fruits.

Taking time to create a theme around the experience of enjoying a meal is one of those special host touches that effect the evening more than you might expect. Setting the tone, the music, the dress and the environment captivate your guests to allow them to enter another, more intimate space with you.

Greek food is simple, colourful and full of robust flavours. Greeks love their food and can spend hours at the lunch/dinner table.  One of the most memorable things I learnt about cooking while in Greece was to take time to prepare food, and enjoy it – making the preparation of the food as enjoyable as eating it. 

Contemporary Greek cookery is typical of Mediterranean cuisine, making wide use of olive oil, grains and bread, wine, fish, and various meats, including poultry and rabbit.  Greece has an ancient culinary tradition that has evolved and absorbed numerous influences and influenced many cuisines. Traditionally meals are not too refined, though recent trends have moved to a more refined approach.

Typically a Greek meal will include Mezedes (Meze) – a collective name for a variety of small dishes, served as an appretizer with wine, Uozo or Tsipouro.  There is nothing more delicious than a simple starter of crispy grilled halloumi cheese, served with a wedge of lemon, or fresh warm pita triangles accompanied by a variety of creamy dips like Tzatziki (yoghurt and cucumber) and taramasalata (fish roe, bread crumbs and loads of lemon juice).  Phyllo parcels are always very popular at dinner parties and they can have different types of fillings that can include cheese, cheese and spinach, chicken or meat.

Greek main meals are a meat-lover's dream. Kleftiko is a wonderfully dish made by marinating lamb shanks in olive oil, herbs and lemon juice, and then slow roasting them for several hours. The result is meat so tender, that it literally falls off the bone at the slightest touch of a fork tip.  Moussaka is very well known - tasty beef or lamb mince layered between slices of fried eggplant and topped with an eggy white sauce and cheese before being baked till bubbling and golden. Souvlaki makes a great lunch - skewers of beef, lamb or pork, which are seared and served in pita bread with a crunchy salad of raw tomato, onion and cucumber.

Greek desserts are famous around the world.  Baklava (a popular sweet middle eastern dessert, of phyllo pastry layers with nuts, sugar, syrup, honey and cloves) is divine when home-made.  Other deserts include Galaktoboureko (custard between layers of phyllo pastry), walnut cake, cookies or simply yogurt with honey and fresh fruits.