Greek Dishes you can Easily Cook in the UK - Tasty Food, Simple Recipes

It's really easy to miss the island of Rhodes when you've returned home and one of the best ways of escaping back to the island is to bring some of the Greek food into your home.

My names Craig - part of the Rhodes Motorcycle Tours team and this is a selection of 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 deserts that I cook regularly at home..... Whilst Brian and Kate are on the island running tours.

I hope you give them a try and I would love to hear your comments below.

3 Simple Greek Starters - Tasty Authentic Greek Food Cooked in 3 steps

1. Tzatziki (Cucumber & Garlic Yoghurt Dip)

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber (grated and drained)

• 1-2 cloves garlic (minced)

• 250g Greek yoghurt

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice

• Salt to taste

• Optional: Fresh dill or mint

Recipe:

1. Grate the cucumber, squeeze out the excess water using a clean towel.

2. In a bowl, mix yoghurt, garlic, cucumber, olive oil, vinegar/lemon, and herbs.

3. Chill in the fridge for 30 mins before serving with warm pita.

   
   

2. Kolokithokeftedes (Courgette Fritters)

Ingredients:

• 2 courgettes (grated)

• 1 egg

• 100g feta (crumbled)

• 2 spring onions (chopped)

• 2 tbsp fresh mint or dill

• 2-3 tbsp flour or breadcrumbs

• Olive oil for frying

Recipe:

1. Grate courgettes, salt lightly, let sit, then squeeze out moisture.

2. Mix with egg, feta, herbs, onion, and enough flour to bind.

3. Shape into patties and fry in olive oil until golden on both sides.

3. Feta Psiti (Baked Feta with Honey & Chili)

Ingredients:

• 1 block of feta

• 1 tbsp honey

• A sprinkle of chili flakes or black pepper

• Olive oil

• Optional: Sesame seeds

Recipe:

1. Place the feta on foil or baking paper.

2. Drizzle with honey, olive oil, and sprinkle with chili flakes.

3. Bake at 180°C for 15-20 mins until soft and golden and serve with warm crusty bread.

3 Simple Greek Main Courses - Cooked in 3 steps

1. Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (cubed)

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp oregano

• 1 garlic clove (crushed)

• Salt & pepper

• Wooden skewers

Recipe:

1. Marinate chicken in lemon juice, oil, garlic, oregano, salt & pepper for at least 1 hour.

2. Thread onto skewers and grill or pan-fry until golden and cooked through.

3. Serve with tzatziki, pita, and salad.

2. Moussaka (Layered Aubergine Bake)

Ingredients:

• 2 aubergines (sliced & roasted)

• 250g minced beef or lamb

• 1 onion (chopped)

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 can chopped tomatoes

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• Olive oil, salt, pepper

• For béchamel: 25g butter, 25g flour, 300ml milk, pinch of nutmeg

Recipe:

1. Fry onions & garlic, add mince, cook until browned. Add tomatoes, cinnamon, simmer 20 mins.

2. Make béchamel: melt butter, stir in flour, slowly whisk in milk until smooth.

3. In a dish, layer aubergines, meat sauce, béchamel. Bake at 180°C for 30-40 mins.

3. Gemista (Stuffed Tomatoes & Peppers)

Ingredients:

• 2 large tomatoes

• 2 bell peppers

• 150g rice

• 1 onion (finely chopped)

• 1 garlic clove

• Fresh parsley & mint

• Olive oil

• Optional: minced beef or lamb

Recipe:

1. Cut tops off tomatoes & peppers, scoop out insides. Keep tomato pulp.

2. Sauté onion & garlic, add rice, chopped herbs, tomato pulp, (optional meat). Simmer 10 mins.

3. Fill veggies with mixture, place in a tray, drizzle with oil. Bake at 180°C for 45 mins.

3 Simple Greek Deserts - Cooked in 3 steps

1. Loukoumades (Greek Doughnuts with Honey Syrup)

Ingredients:

• 250g plain flour

• 1 tsp yeast

• 1 tsp sugar

• 250ml warm water

• Oil for frying

• Honey, cinnamon, chopped nuts for topping

Recipe:

1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, water — cover and let rise for 1 hour.

2. Heat oil, drop small spoonfuls of batter in, fry until golden.

3. Drizzle with honey, sprinkle cinnamon and nuts.

2. Galaktoboureko (Custard Pie in Filo)

Ingredients:

• 1 pack filo pastry

• 100g butter (melted)

• For custard: 500ml milk, 100g sugar, 100g semolina, 2 eggs, vanilla

• Syrup: 150g sugar, 100ml water, slice of lemon

Recipe:

1. Heat milk, sugar, semolina to thicken. Remove from heat, stir in beaten eggs and vanilla.

2. Layer half filo in dish, brushing each with butter. Pour in custard. Add remaining filo.

3. Bake at 180°C for 40 mins. Pour cooled syrup over hot pie.

   
   

3. Greek Yoghurt with Honey & Walnuts

Ingredients:

• Greek yoghurt

• Honey

• Crushed walnuts

Recipe:

1. Spoon yoghurt into bowls.

2. Drizzle with honey.

3. Top with chopped walnuts. You can add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a couple of slices of fig too.

I'm definitely not a chef but these dishes are so simple even I can manage them! They're great to prepare with a glass of wine in the kitchen with some traditional Greek music on the speaker!

The images are from a meal when we were on a motorcycle tour of Rhodes. Literally the best way to finish a days riding :)

We'd love for you to join us. If you would like to tour the beautiful island of Rhodes, don't hesitate to get in touch: rhodesmotorcycletours@gmail.com

Craig :)