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CRETE - RECIPES
The Crete - Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional eating patterns of people living in Crete, Greece and southern Italy. Variations of the diet are also in the countries of Spain, Portugal, southern France, Morocco, Turkey and the Middle East. Traditionally, the diet is closely tied to areas of olive cultivation and olive oil production in the Mediterranean region.


Some Recipes from Crete :
SAINT BASIL'S CAKE
  • 1 kilo flour (2.2 lbs)
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups olive oil
  • 1/2 cup cognac
  • 8 to 10 eggs
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 2 tbsps grated orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tbsp baking powder

Beat the yokes with the sugar and work in the oil and the orange rind. Dissolve the soda in the orange juice and add this. Beat the whites of the eggs; add half the flour, half the cognac with the baking powder diluted in it and half the egg whites. When this has amalgamated, work in the second half of the ingredients. Empty the mixture into an oiled baking tin and bake in a preheated moderate oven for about an hour.

 
SMALL RAISIN-FILLED PATTIES
  • The DOUGH:

    • 2 cups olive oil
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup orange juice
    • 1/2 cup cognac or raki
    • 1 tbsp grated orange zest
    • 1 tbsp baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 1/2kilos flour (1 kilo = 2.2lbs)

    The FILLING:

    • 1 kilo roughly ground raisins (2.2lbs)
    • 2 cups roughly ground walnuts and almonds
    • 2 tbsps olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
    • 2 tbsps clove and cinnamon powder

    Prepare the DOUGH: Beat together olive oil and sugar and add zest, baking powder dissolved in cognac and baking soda dissolved in orange juice, beating constantly. Gradually add flour to the liquids until you have soft and elastic dough. Mix the ingredients thoroughly for the filling. Take pieces of dough the size of a walnut and in the middle open a well to put in a little filling. Roll the dough in your hands so as to get the filling to spread inside and shape oblong.

 
SMALL OLIVE OIL AND WINE RINGS
  • 1 1/2 cups olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups white wine
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 tbsp clove and cinnamon powder
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 1/2 kilos flour (each kilo= 2.2lbs)
  • 2 cups sesame seeds

Beat the sugar with the olive oil and continue with the baking powder dissolved in the wine, the soda dissolved in the orange juice, with the clove and the cinnamon. Gradually add flour to the liquids and knead untilvery soft and malleable dough.

Shape the rings as above, sprinkle them with sesame seeds and bake in moderate oven for 15-20 minutes.

 
LAMB WITH SPINACH AND DRIED FRUIT
  • 1 kilo boneless lamb cut into cubes
  • 6 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 kilo spinach, chopped coarsely (1.1 lbs)
  • 1 leek cut into rounds
  • 3 finely chopped spring onions
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped dill
  • the juice of 2 lemons
  • salt, pepper
  • 1 cup dried fruit (prunes, apricots or plums)

Heat half olive oil in a large skillet and sauté` onion and meat until brown on all sides. Cover with water and cook for about one hour. Heat remaining olive oil in another skillet and sauté` leek and fresh onions for 3 minutes. Add spinach and sauté` for another 10 minutes. Mix with the meat, season with salt, pepper and lemon juice and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Add dill and fruit 5 minutes before turning off the heat. Serve with rice pilaf.

 
STEWED POTATOES WITH HERBS
  • 1 kilo potatoes (2.2lbs)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil 2 coarsely chopped onions
  • 1 leek cut into rounds
  • 2 finely chopped garlic cloves
  • 1/2 kilo finely chopped tomatoes (1 lbs)
  • 1 sprig of thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs of parsley
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange rind salt, pepper

Peel potatoes and cut in cubes. Heat olive oil in a saucepan and sauté` onion, leek, garlic, potatoes, thyme, bay leaves, parsley, orange rind and oregano. Stir carefully 2-3 times, pour in tomato, salt, pepper and water to cover everything and simmer until the sauce thickens. Serve potatoes sprinkled with finely chopped parsley.

 
LAMB IN MINT SAUCE
  • 1 kilo leg of lamb cut into portions (2.2 lbs)
  • 4 tbsp olive oil 2 crushed cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped coarsely salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped finely

Wash and dry lamb. Season with the garlic, salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté` the lamb until browned on all sides. Transfer to a baking pan and bake until soft. Pour the wine into the pan where you sautéed the lamb and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Add 1 cup water and the coarsely chopped mint. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, then strain. Add the finely chopped mint to the sauce, pour it over the lamb and serve.

 
LENTIL SOUP WITH HERBS

  • 1/2 kilo lentils (1.1 lb)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 finely chopped cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 kilo finely chopped tomatoes (1.1 lb)
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 3 tbsp finely chopped celery
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp thyme
  • 1 tbsp savory
  • 3 tbsp vinegar
  • salt, pepper

Boil lentils in a large pot with plenty of water for 10-15 minutes and transfer to a colander. Heat the olive oil in the same pot and sauté` onion, garlic, carrot and celery for 5 minutes.

Add bay leaves, thyme, savory, tomatoes, lentils, salt, pepper and 3-4 cups water. Boil until lentils are cooled, about half an hour. Stir in vinegar 5 minutes before the food is ready.

 
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