Often we think of Greek food as time consuming and labour intensive. Greek food can be easy and fun to prepare. Try the recipes below.
Fakyes or lentils are prepared in a wonderful sauce and served with fresh plain yoghurt. First soak two cups of lentils with one cup rice, overnight. Drain these in the morning, add new water, and simmer about 45 minutes until tender and there is no water residue.
In another pan saute chopped onions and a bit of garlic. Add some chopped tomato when the onions have turned clear in colour. Combine the two mixtures and fold them together. Add salt and pepper. Top with chopped parsley and coriander, and serve with a salad on a warm summer's evening.
Dolmades are grapevine leaves wrapped around meat. This is a traditional Greek dish found in every Greek Chef's repertoire. If you have your own grape vine, choose the young, tender leaves and steam them. If you don't have a vine they may be found at the Greek supermarket. These need to be soaked in water and set to drain.
Prepare a pot of rice with 2 parts water to one part rice. Set this to cool while you prepare the meat mixture.
In another sauces pan brown lean, fresh ground beef, lamb or pork. You may choose to combine a mixture of these. Add onion and garlic and tomatoes to brown. Some people prefer a vegetarian version and therefore merely mix the oil and onion mixture together for the stuffing. Mix together and let stand so you can touch it. Place about a tablespoon of mix in the centre of a leaf and roll these into sausage like rolls. Place in the bottom of a casserole dish encircling the outer edge in rings working towards the middle. After the first row is complete you may start another until you have finished. Now you add 2 cups of water and simmer this over a medium heat for 40 minutes.
Some people like a light bechamel sauce to top. Melt butter in a small sauce pan and add flour to thicken and the milk. A small amount of cheese may be added to melt in as well as salt and pepper.
Serve with ample lemon.
Yimiste are stuffed peppers and tomatoes which are traditional dish. They are made with the same mixture that you used for the Dolmates. which makes it very easy. Therefore you may make this dish on the same day that you make the Dolmades. Yellow, green and red peppers and washed and the top cut off.
Clean the inside and set these to dry. The tomatoes will need to be scooped out to create a hole for the stuffing. Stuff the peppers and tomatoes and place them in a pan with their tops on them. Add a cup of water to the pan and cook for 30 minutes at 326 degrees Fahrenheit.
Enjoy your simple Greek dishes.
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