My big fat Greek food box

I know that we're all looking forward to some lovely Christmas food and right in the middle of all the preparations, I get a delivery from Kitchen Nomad, my monthly subscription of a box of food from somewhere exciting in the world and this month the focus was on Greek food. Greece is a country very close to my heart since I've been very fortunate to not only travel around a lot in Greece but I've also lived there, on an island in the Cyclades called Naxos. It's not always easy finding good food that doesn't contain meat or poultry in some countries in the world, but in Greece it was a doddle since a lot of the cuisine is based on fantastic fresh vegetables and fish flavored with wonderful herbs and spices. So what's in the box to recreate some food memories this time around?

 Ingredients

Kalamata extra virgin olive oil - from the Kalamata region on Peloponessos (Southern Greece), known for its peppery and herbal flavor

Vine leaves in brine - essential for Dolmades, yum yum

Pickled capers - use in salads, or with fish or as a pizza topping. Oh, I love the saltiness of these!!

Orzo pasta - almost looks like a big grain of rice, but it is actually a type of macaroni and it's perfect to use in soups or stuffing

Kalamata black olives - dark purple olives

Cassia bark - similar to cinnamon but much more intensive, used for marinades and infusions

Organic pressed tomato sauce

Dukkah spice mix - spicy blend of nuts, seeds, herbs and spice used for dips

Dried Greek figs

What feast are we cooking up this time?

Starter:

Dolmades (Stuffed vine leaves) -  Vine leaves stuffed with rice, tomatoes, onion, parsley, mint and lemon juice - simple but incredibly flavorsome

Dip with dukkah spice -  you can sprinkle the dukkah over yoghurt or just dip bread in olive oil and the dukkah

Mains:

Youvestsi with orzo and cassia bark - protein (it's supposed to be lamb really), onions, tomato sauce, garlic, cassia bark, orzo and feta cheese

Prawn saganaki with tomato sauce - prawns in a garlicky olive and tomato sauce, sprinkled with feta cheese and baked in the oven

Tarte with black olives and capers - puff pastry covered with olives, capers, fresh tomatoes, basil and rosemary

 

Dessert:

Fig and walnut bake - figs and walnuts baked in honey, cassia bark and served with yoghurt

Cafe frappe - Ice coffee with lots of froth. I take mine medium sweet with milk - oh the memories...

This food box certainly brought back some lovely memories of the amazing tasty food that Greece has to offer, and after Boxing day when we're all fed up with Christmas food and leftovers, I think a big fat Greek buffet with lots of ouzo and wine will be a welcome change. We might even leave all the dirty Christmas plates and do some plate smashing... Opa!