Island Hopping in Greece

In the summer of 1994 my friend Susanne and I packed our bags and took the train to the Munich airport with a few weeks of summer holiday to spare.  We were in search of a last-minute trip somewhere fabulous. And while we were thinking of Bali, Fiji or Tahiti, we were equally thrilled when the best tickets for sale allowed us to spend three weeks island hopping in Greece. 

I remember that trip fondly, not just because of the sandy beaches, green Mediterranean Sea and beautiful people on Paradise Beach in Mykonos, but also for all of the great food. Since this trip, Greek salads, tzatziki sauce, giant beans in tomato sauce and just about anything Greek has become a staple of my kitchen. Given the benefits of a Mediterranean diet (it’s healthy for your heart, it trims your waist, and can even cut your cancer risk) we have decided to dedicate this week’s post to Greek food… truly the food of the Gods.  Come and cook with us!

The Mediterranean Diet (as interpreted by Kathrin and Jessica):

Fresh produce: fruits and vegetables are the backbone of a healthy diet, but only 23% of the meals Americans eat include a vegetable (study from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). We know that our readers know better! As we have said before, to tip the scales in your favor, fill at least half of your plate with produce at each meal.

Beans, beans, beans: People who eat beans have smaller waistlines than those who don’t (study by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition). Take a cue from the Greek and substitute beans for meat in some meals.  Give yourself a challenge and aim for four servings a week.

Essential oils: Yes, that moussaka is pretty heavy and oily, but it’s mostly olive oil, which is filled with monounsaturated fatty acids, the healthier type of fat. Use extra-virgin olive oil, which is the least processed and has the most cancer-fighting antioxidants, and substitute other fats such as butter with this oil wherever you can.

Go fish: In France, Italy and Greece, red meat is eaten in smaller quantities and less frequently than in the US. The benefits from eating less red meat can be huge: swapping just one serving of red meat for fish each week may help reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by 25% (study in the journal Circulation).

And while it’s nice to know what makes up the Mediterranean Diet, it’s nothing without a little inspiration.  Here are some of our favorite recipes for adding a little Greek to your life.  Opa!

Barbecue Greek Pork Patties
Greek Salad with Chickpeas
Tzatziki