GREECEBy:

Amanda, Amy, Alyssa(The A Team)

Where is Greece?

Did You Know?

• The first cookbook was written by the Greek food gourmet, Archestratos, in 330 B.C.

• Modern chefs owe the tradition of their tall, white chef's hat to the Greeks.

History of Greek Cuisine• In 350 B.C., when Alexander the Great extended

the Greek Empire's reach from Europe to India, certain northern and eastern influences were absorbed into the Greek cuisine.

• In 146 B.C., Greece fell to the Romans which resulted in a blending of a Roman influence into Greek cooking.

• In 330 A.D., Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Constantinople, founding the Byzantine Empire which, in turn, fell to the Turks in 1453 and remained part of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years.

• With each successive invasion and settlement came culinary influences - from the Romans, Venetians, Balkans, Turks, Slavs, and even the English

Greek Etiquette• In Greek cuisine eating out and

sharing the meal is just as important as the food itself this is called paraia.

• Unique to Greece, you can be invited into the kitchen to view the food and

make your selection.• When invited to a Greek home, it is

‘proper’ etiquette is to actually arrive a good half an hour after the stated time of the party!

Greek Etiquette cont.

• When you arrive you should bring your Greek host a small gift – a good wine, flowers, sweets, or some pastries.

• Try to eat everything on your plate, and don’t be surprised if your host or fellow guests share the food from their plates with you.

• It is good manners to follow suit and offer to share some of your own food.

•

The Mediterranean Diet(One of the healthiest diets on the planet).

It emphasizes:• Getting plenty of exercise• Eating primarily plant-based foods,

such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts

• Replacing butter with healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil

• Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods

• Limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month

• Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week

• Drinking red wine in moderation (optional)

Nutritional Health Concerns

• Greece has the 5th highest incidence of obesity in the world.

• Large consumption of food poses some health risks to these groups, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

• The women in their culture may take offense if a family member turns away their food as they see these feasts as a way to keep their families close. 

# 1 United States: 30.6%

# 2 Mexico: 24.2%

# 3 United Kingdom: 23%

# 4 Slovakia: 22.4%

# 5 Greece: 21.9%

# 6 Australia: 21.7%

# 7 New Zealand: 20.9%

# 8 Hungary: 18.8%

# 9 Luxembourg: 18.4%

# 10

Czech Republic: 14.8%

Main Ingredients of Greek Cooking

• Olives and Olive Oil• Honey• Yogurt and cheese• Fresh fruits and

vegetables• Lamb, goat, and fish• Legumes and nuts

Kalamata Olives• Kalamata is a region in Greece, but

they can be grown in Northern Africa and Western Asia as well

• Often used for olive oil(one of the BEST)

• Sweet, rich flavor• Monounsaturated fats• Good source of Vit E,

Copper, and Fiber

Feta Cheese

• An aged, crumbly cheese

• Salted and cured in a brine solution for several months

• Slightly grainy texture

Where to Find Greek Food in Utah?

Greek Market & Deli3205 S State StSalt Lake City , UT  (801) 485-9365 Aristo's224 S 1300 ESalt Lake City, UT(801) 581-0888

Greek Souvlaki4 Restaurants in Salt Lake City area