KEFALLONIA ISLAND - A HIDDEN TREASURE

 Kefalonia is the largest island of the Ionian Sea. It spares every kind of tourist structure as well as an exceptionally interesting natural environment. In Kefalonia you will come across to beautiful beaches, sights with historical, religion and cultural interest as well as unique natural phenomena such as the underground caves and the national park of Enos.

 The island has spectacular beaches, sandy south and pebbles in the north. The most famous beach and the island's trademark is Myrtos, with white pebbles and crystal clear waters. Starting from Argostoli, you will encounter the crowded beaches of Makris and Platis Gialos, with fine sand, canteens and bars, package-with sunbeds and umbrellas beaches Minia, Ammes, Ag.Chelis, Ligia Avythos and the beach of St. Thomas in Travliata.

In the southern part, the beaches table, Lourdes, Coast, Long Stone, Lazarus and the beaches of Skala and Kateleiou. The beach Antisamos and Karavomylos in Sami area is particularly picturesque. On the north side of the island beaches for swimming are Emplisi and Foki Fiskardo, St Euphemia and Myrtle. Finally, in western Kefalonia, meet the broad sand beaches of Petani, Megas Lakos, beach Xi strange reddish sand and beach Atheva.

TSOUREKI,GREEK EASTER BREAD RECIPE

Christian Orthodox  Easter is the most important Holiday greeks.Greeks love this period because the sky is sunny,and the smells everywhere in the country are tempting.

Nature is full of flowers and kitchens full of traditional dishes.One of them is "Tsoureki" ,the Greek Easter Sweet Bread.try it once and it you never forget its unique flavor.Greek experienced housewives have their own recipe,their own secrets that pass to the next generaation! In many regions of Greece they combine two easter customs the red dyed eggs and the tsoureki ,in the dough og which they braid the eggs as decoration material.

GREEK "KEFTEDAKIA" SNACK

Greek "keftedakia" (meet balls ) is the ideal snack for parties and family gatherings. They are usually served with fried potatoes , Greek salad and ouzo drink.

The big secret for the recipe success is the use of herbs and the meet mixture.Try φfro yopur meet balls mixing veal,prok and lamb meet.

GREEK GIOUVETSI.JUST DELICIOUS.

You'll only need some very simple ingredients and a good recipe.Greek 

Giuvetsi is an traditional dish, served on the family table,especially popular to kids.Υοu can use almost any kind of meat and many types of pasta. The big success secret: serve it hot,immediately from the oven !

A FRESH ,GREEK SUMMER SALAD

  

Olive οιl,

tomatoes,
cucumber,olives,

basil,spinach and other popular  ingredients of the Greek agricultural production ,fantasy and a healthy,juicy,fresh salad is waiting for you in your table.Greek summer is the inspiration for tasteful dishes .A way to bring vacations,sea,sun and  summer closer !Until your next voyage in Greece,bon appetite !

AN ORIGINAL SAUCE FOR YOUR TABLE

  

Ιt's called "taramosalata", that means fish roe salad .It is served this period of the year as an appetizer especially during  Shrove Monday.Try it with fresh or grilled  vegetables,spread on small slices of bread or toasts .It matches perfectly with  ouzo. 

SANTORINI'S DELICIOUS SNACK

          Santorini island (Cyclades islands complex) is famous for its spectacular view,its high quality wine and its traditional dishes.

This is the recipe for Ntomato-

keftedes"(well ,difficult to say but are eaten so pleasantly!).

Actually they are  dried tomatoes balls.Serve with cold beer or ouzo.

AN EASY , DELICIOUS RECIPE

     Stuffed cabbage rolls is a traditional dish of the Mediterranean kitchen .

Every place in Greece has its variation and of course local secrets that have to do with local products.Its a very tasteful option as appetizer or main dish and served with red wine and hot bread,the Greek peasant loaf style,if possible.

IOANNINA,JOURNEY OF SENSES

     
     Ioannina has two skies, one high above,embroidered with colored clouds and another in the  bottom of Pamvotida Lake.Narrow streets, beautiful stone houses with exquisite colors form the picture of Ioannina.

   It's a journey that will satisfies all  senses. Enjoy the smell of the local dishes ,wander in the memories of past centuries .Don't miss the opportunity to taste the local alcohol beverage,tsipouro.

HOLIDAYS KOURABIEDES BUTTER COOKIES

     Kourabiedes are delicious cookies that are prepared in all houses during the Christmas holidays in Greece.If you want to present something different,original it is sure that you will succeed it with this traditional sweet that has incredible favor and scent.

Serve it as a welcome offer to you guests,after lunch or dinner as a dessert with a liquor for example masticha ,rakomelo(watch  previous recipes)or tentoura.Kids love kourabiedes !

4 SEASONS SALES IN GREECE

 

      Greek government has recently announced a 4 seasonal periods sales in order to improve commercial and touristc climate and, of course, to help consumers to purchase in better prices.

Every season's sales period will also include an open shops Saturday.The majority of commercial community all over Greece  had since the last months already taken the initiative to proceed to unofficial offers during the whole year.

That means that whenever you visit Greece you have the opportunity to buy goods with big or bigger sales! Except of high quality traditional-agrocultural products (olive oil,olives,traditional soap,dry fruits,a wide range of pulses,wines,cheese and herbs) the country's market is famous for leather goods,especially shoes.

In good prices you can also have beauty services(hair dying,styling,manicure,solarium,massage treatments,spa etc.) .

GALAKTOBOUREKO FOR FESTIVE TABLE

     
     Galaktoboureko is a traditional sweet , that is mainly served  as dessert at the festive table in Greece. The success of the result depends on the materials used.

Fresh butter and milk should be of high quality. In many regions galaktoboureko is sprinkled with cinnamon powder.

HOMEMADE TASTES FROM LEFKADA

              The island has a distinct and 

rich gastronomic history.In many villages the 

visitor finds still handmade, high quality and 

taste products. Βutchers in Lefkada prepare of 

pork sausages and a delicious salami with 

light garlic fragrance garlic and whole 

peppercorns  .

     Famous is also the local orgeat drink 

(concentrated bitter almonds syrup ).Coriander 

flavored biscuits,almond nougats are specialties 

that like tourists. 

STIFADO A TRADITIONAL DISH

       
     Stifado is a traditional dish having its roots to ancient Greek cuisine.In many local feasts ,stifado is prepared by the whole village and offered to guests .

     According to chefs and experienced housewives ,the success secret of the dish is simmering of the materials.For delicious results watch video:

"KLEFTIKO" LAMB A TRADITIONAL RECIPE

     Lamb ,feta cheese , a traditional recipe and here it is a delicious dish  to be served with 
cold ,dry ,white  Greek wine .

Combine "Kleftiko" with fried potatoes or bbq'ed  season's vegetables.

SPANAKOPITA ,TRY AN ORIGINAL SPRING DISH

   

Spring,the season of fresh spinach in Greece.All villages prepare the traditional dish of "spanakopita" -spinach pie with herbs and Greek cheese,mainly feta.

Every region has its  specialties secrets for its local spanakopita varations.Its a dish that you can serve is small pieces as first courses or  as main dish ( in entire portion).

Greek new era cuisine chefs propose it also in finger food form . Watch the video:

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RECIPES. RAKOMELO. Induce euphoria. Raises libido and cures sore throats and coughs.

RAKOMELO .

Rakomelo from Amorgos is the mixing of Cretan raki with honey and other spices. Since ancient times, the inhabitants of Amorgos and small Cyclades were producing a traditional drink to treat their guests and guests at the weddings of their children. The drink is named "Raki Cooked" or "honey." This beverage also is the official treat of visiting the monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissas Amorgos. Consist of grape spirit, honey and herbs without any preservative. Rakomelo is the ideal drink after causing euphoria and mood, boosts libido and is suitable after dinner as a digestive function as a result of honey and herbs available. Served warm, at room temperature and cold.

 RECIPE FOR RAKOMELO

1. coffee pot
2. cinnamon
3. 4 to 5 cloves
4. Cretan raki (raki not / raki aniseed or other aromatics)
5. honey
Raki warmed over low heat and careful not to boil because danger of catching on fire! From the beginning we have put so much raki glasses you want to make little cinnamon.
Add the cloves. Put as many as the people who will drink to have one of each of the glass below. No more though because this bitter .....

Once the warm up we put honey a teaspoon per cup.

Shuffling and just started making a lot of noise to remove and serve.
Be careful because there is a risk of fire.
Someone told me that it is the drink of cold. Eventually they built the village in winter fir forest and changed his mind. If not for circulation in summer.

GREVENA.THE MUSHROOMS CITY

Grevena in north western Greece, is called "The Mushroom City" as in the area there are recorded  2000 species of wild mushrooms .

During this period at the mountainous villages many inhabitants have still the daily habit to collect this gourmet material and prepare local delicious dishes (starters , pies, main course, dessert  even ice cream with mushrooms).

 Experienced collectors organize in the wood courses  for persons  who want to distinguish edible mushrooms and to help them obtain and maintain them.

Famous chefs organize also in Grevena gastronomy seminars and events on  based on mushrooms.

GREEK LOUCOUMADES RECIPE.JUST"DIVINE!"

  If you visit Greece don't miss to taste Loucoumades! It's a gorgeous sweet,the traditional donuts dish the way it was prepared in ancient Greece! You can find them in every city,village or island-bigger or smaller.

Many restaurants offer it as dessert.Υou can have it served with Greek honey which is famous for its exquisite quality ,or with chocolate syrup.

This period,Greeks use to prepare it at home and offer it as a "sweet celebration" for the season's turn.Watch the video for your own home made deliciοus Loucoumades: