This month we take you back to the Mediterranean to the islands of Greece.  Greek cuisine is noted for signature dishes such as dolmades, (stuffed grape leaves), spanakopita, (spinach pie) or baklava (layered sweet pastry) and many other traditional meals that are influenced by the foods and cooking styles of neighboring countries such as Turkey, Bulgaria and Italy.  Many of the ingredients that are featured in our collection of Greek recipes are borrowed from these cultures.  Cinnamon, cloves, and allspice flavor many of the recipes and reminding us of Turkish cooking, meat sauces, pasta and the use of tomatoes are reminiscent of much of the cooking prepared throughout Italy.

Prepare a few Greek recipes and you’ll quickly notice that Greek food is made from largely healthy and natural foods and recipes that are based on fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Greek cooking includes many different types of foods, but uses a few trade mark ingredients, the most widely used of which is undoubtedly, olive oil.  Greece’s arid climate is ideal for growing olive trees so it is no surprise that olive oil and olives find their way into a majority of Greek meals.  Olive oil is used almost exclusively and is used instead of butter.  Fresh, seasonal ingredients and a generous use of olive oil, makes Greek cuisine not only delicious, but also a healthy alternative.

Another common and widely used ingredient is feta cheese.  Feta is made from pasteurized sheep’s and goat’s milk.  This versatile cheese is used in everything from salads, pastries, mezze dishes, or appetizers to entrees.  Authentic Greek feta is salty because it is stored in a brine solution. 

Tomatoes are used in a majority of Greek recipes and in a variety of ways.  Other commonly found ingredients are lemons, garlic, oranges, grapes, pine nuts, sesame seeds, vine leaves, yogurt, aromatic spices and herbs.  Oregano or wild marjoram is the favorite herb and is a stronger variety than the marjoram available in the U.S.

The absence of lamb

A couple of years ago, we did our first article on Greek cuisine.  We prepared many lovely gluten-free Greek recipes without ever once including lamb.  This article and the recipes within will be no exception.  In fact, you may have noticed that there is not one single recipe with lamb in our entire collection of over 3000 gluten-free recipes!  Is this just an oversight or a plot to save lambs?  Neither.  The Executive Chefs of Glutenfreeda.com do not eat lamb, ever.  They (myself being one) do not cook it, eat it or even tolerate the smell of it.  I know, I know, there are fabulous recipes for lamb and most people consider it a sophisticated entrée perfect for special occasions.  Even so, we avoid it entirely.  Why?  I guess our distain was the result of over saturation.  Many years ago, we lived in the middle east where lamb is a mainstay of not only the family table, but also, clothing, home furnishings and just about all other aspects of Iranian life.  It was not uncommon to be walking down a city street where one would have to detour around someone slaughtering a lamb in the middle of the sidewalk.  As blood was running into the street, a lively exchange of bargaining would ensue for the lamb’s entrails.  The scent of lamb was everywhere, raw or cooked, and inescapable.  We have never been able to or wanted to eat lamb since.

Roasted Cod with Toasted Almonds

A chef once advised me that to get the best results from your cooking, you must love what you cook and you should never cook things that you don’t like.  Obviously, we have taken this advice to heart.

So, I offer a little apology to those who love lamb and find our recipe archives wanting in that area.  All I can say is I hear lamb is lovely with a little olive oil, garlic and fresh mint.

As with many other cultures, Greek society revolves around food.  Cooking and eating is an important social aspect of Greek life.  Although you won’t find recipes for lamb in this article, you will find wonderful gluten-free recipes that will tempt your palate and satisfy your soul. 

Greek Sausages

Phyllo Dough

Spanakopita

Aromatic Chicken

Olive Bread

Roasted Cod with Toasted Almonds

Shrimp Pilaf with Kalamata Olives

Beef and Onion Casserole

Aromatic Chicken

Baked Pasta with Meat Sauce

Roasted Vegetable Soup

Tomato and Olive Salad with Fried Feta

Garlic and Eggplant Dip

Cucumber and Yogurt Dip

Vegetable Moussaka

Roasted & Stuffed Red Peppers

Grilled Lemon Chicken

Chicken with Goat Cheese & Basil

Zucchini Stuffed with Walnuts & Feta

Roasted & Stuffed Red Peppers

Almond Paste Pears

Don’t miss this month’s on-line cooking class featuring gluten-free phyllo dough.  We had expert help on this class from our friend Demitrios.  If you thought phyllo dough was out of your reach, think again!