4 Traditional Cretan Recipes To Cook Today

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Whether you have already returned from your vacation to Fr. Crete or you still enjoy it, you may want to get to know the culinary side of the island.

It is no coincidence that food is the reason for the longevity of the Cretans.

That is why in this article we will present you a few easy Cretan recipesthat you can immediately prepare for yourself or your family.

Greek salad

Greek salad is a great option to start your culinary adventure and maybe one of the easiest Cretan recipes. It has a high nutritional value as it contains raw, fresh vegetables and is flavored with Cretan olive oil.

Necessary products: 2 tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 1 onion, 1 green pepper, 1 yellow pepper, olives, feta cheese, salt, oregano, olive oil;

Method of preparation: Cut the tomatoes, cucumber, onion and peppers into pieces and mix them in a bowl together with the olives and feta cheese. Then season with salt, pepper, oregano and olive oil;

Zajiki sauce

This is one of the most popular Cretan recipes and an excellent appetizer. It is really easy to prepare and its taste is just fantastic!

Necessary products: 2 cups yogurt, 4 cloves garlic, 1 pinch of salt, 1 tbsp. chopped dill, 2 tbsp. vinegar, 5 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cucumber, grated and drained;

Method of preparation: Grate the cucumber and let it drain. Then put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until a homogeneous mixture. Put the finished sauce in the refrigerator and leave it for a few hours.

Traditional Greek pie

Like many Cretan recipes, the traditional Greek pie "Booreki" also has a Turkish name, coming from the Turkish word "borek". This one traditional Cretan recipe is a very tasty pasta that can be consumed as a main dish or as a side dish.

Necessary products:

For the dough: ½ kg of flour, ½ cup of butter, 1 cup of water, ½ teaspoon of salt;

For the filling: 3-4 potatoes, 3 large zucchini, 2-3 tbsp. chopped mint, 1 kg of Misitra cheese or Feta cheese, 113 g of grated yellow cheese; 150 g flour, 177 ml olive oil, 240 ml milk or 245 g yogurt, 2 eggs, salt, pepper, 1 tbsp. olive oil and 2-3 tbsp. peeled sesame seeds.

Method of preparation:

1. First prepare the dough. Then mix the fat, water and salt and gradually add the flour until you get a soft dough that does not stick to your hands. Let it stand for at least half an hour. Divide the dough into two parts, one should be slightly larger than the other. Roll out most of it, grease a large baking dish with butter and place the dough in it.

2. Wash the zucchini and cut them into very thin slices. Add salt and squeeze. Peel the potatoes, cut them into very thin slices and put them in another bowl with salt.

3. Then distribute the ingredients for the filling as follows: a layer of potatoes-flour-a layer of zucchini-flour-half of each cheese-half of mint. Repeat once more with all ingredients. Just be sure to use only half the flour. Finally, beat the olive oil with the milk, eggs, remaining flour, a little salt and pepper. Pour the filling into the baking tray with this mixture.

4. Finally, roll out the remaining dough in the pan and cover with the filling. Grease with oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds and cut into pieces with a sharp knife. Bake for at least an hour and a half at 180 ° in a preheated oven. Serve the pie warm, but even the next day it will not lose its taste!

Sweet quince

Is there anything more traditional than the sweet quince prepared on Fr. Crete? We recommend this traditional Cretan dessert as the best option to finish your meal! Try it with Greek yogurt.

Necessary products: 1 kg of quinces, 1 kg of sugar, 2 cups water, 1 tbsp. lemon juice;

Method of preparation:

1. First, peel the quinces, cut them into slices and place them in a bowl with water and lemon juice. Drain the quinces and place them in a saucepan covered with water. Cook over high heat until soft.

2. In another saucepan put the sugar with two glasses of water. Once the water starts to boil, put the quinces in it. Cook for five minutes and then remove the pan from the heat.

3. Leave the quinces in the syrup until the next day. Then cook again on high heat until the syrup thickens.

4. Finally, put your jam in sterilized glass jars. This sweet delicacy can be stored in a glass jar and remain edible for months!