Two Mediterranean/Greek Recipes

The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world and one of its main components is none other than olive oil. According to the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC), olive oil is an excellent fighter against cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, and high-blood pressure. Its properties also help the digestive and immune systems; olive oil also offers a protective effect against cancer, diabetes, and obesity, and its antioxidant properties are believed to fight against ageing related diseases.

Greece, along with Spain and Italy, is one of the main producers of olive oil in the world, and along with these and other Mediterranean countries, Greece is one of its main consumers. Today I will share with you two delicious recipes I tried while in Greece; the first one is a Mediterranean vegetable casserole, full of healthy ingredients and olive oil. The second will be the recipe for the famous baklava. Like I mentioned before, the Mediterranean countries share a similar diet, so you might have tried or seen similar dishes in, let’s say, Italy or Spain.  

Mediterranean Vegetable Casserole (Serves 5)

Ingredients:

1 lb. eggplants       

2 ¼ cups olive oil    

1 lb. potatoes          

1 lb. green bell peppers          

3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped      

2 lb. ripe tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped

salt to taste

Directions:

1. Slice the eggplants in ½ inch circles and place in a strainer; sprinkle with salt and put aside for about 1 hour. After the time has passed, dry the water released by the eggplants.

2. Heat the oil in a skillet over low heat, then add the potato slices (previously cut in circles). Once they are soft pull out and arrange them in the bottom of a  15” x 10” Pyrex.

3. Fry the eggplant in the same oil until soft, pull out and arrange on top of the potatoes. Fry the bell peppers (they can be cut in stripes or circles), let dry on top of an absorbent wipe, and arrange on top of the potatoes. Add salt.

4. Get rid of some of the oil left in the pan, but leave enough to cover the bottom (if the oil dried out then add some more). Fry the garlic and add the tomatoes. Cook for about 20 to 30 min. stirring frequently. When the oil comes to the top of the tomato sauce add salt. Cool down a bit and strain (optional).

5. Pour the tomato sauce on top of the vegetables and bake in a 350˚F (180˚C) oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

6. Serve hot or warm with feta cheese and bread.

Baklava (serves 18)

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz.) package of phyllo dough      

1 lb. of chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, pistachio…)         

1 cup of butter (melted)             

1 tsp. ground cinnamon    

1 cup of water      

1 cup white sugar     

1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)    

½ cup of honey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Butter bottom and sides of a 9” x 13” oven-safe pan.

2. Toss the chopped nuts with the cinnamon and set aside. Unroll dough and cut the whole stack in two to fit into pan. Place two sheets of dough into pan and brush surface with butter. Repeat this step until 10 sheets are layered.

3. Sprinkle ± 3 tbs. of nut mix on top, cover with 4 layers of phyllo dough (no buttering between sheets), brush the last sheet  with butter and sprinkle again with nuts. Repeat this step until you run out of nuts. The final layer should be of 8 sheets of phyllo dough (remember to butter every 2 sheets).

4. Using a very sharp knife cut 18 squares, rectangles, or diamonds into the dough all the way to the bottom of the pan (adjust the number of cut shapes if you want larger or smaller pieces). Bake for 50 minutes.

5. While the baklava bakes boil the sugar and water until combined. Add the vanilla and honey and simmer for 20 minutes.

6. Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately pour sauce over it. Let cool to room temperature uncovered.

Enjoy.

You will love these two recipes. The first is healthy and delicious while the second one is sweet and mouth-watering. If you want to learn more olive oil recipes visit the IOCC webpage and click the Olive World tab; remember as well to visit the Food from Around the World link on the “useful links” section to discover more delicious Mediterranean recipes.