Politismos eMagazine | Erriketi Chini

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Author: Erriketi Chini

The unique foods of Greece and their health benefits – Red Wine

20.12.2019 in Gastronomy

Red Wine ORIGIN AND TRAITS With the festive season around the corner, let us take a minute to picture what is essential on every celebratory gathering; the food selection may differ from region to region, yet, there is one type of drink which is present in almost any special occasion, the red wine. No matter the new drinks and sophisticated cocktails, red wine is an invariable staple which conbines pleasure with potential health benefits. Considered to be part of a balanced diet and closely connected with the consumer habits of the Mediterranean cultures, is it highly popular – if…

Mulled sweet wine

20.12.2019 in Gastronomy

Mulled sweet wine Ingredients a bottle of red wine 1 orange 2 cinnamon sticks ¼ teaspoon cardamom a couple of star anises / cloves a couple tablespoons of maple syrup or honey 1 tablespoon brandy or bourbon or cognac Instructions Add all the ingredients in a pot: the red wine, orange, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and honey. Bring the pot ingredients to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the liqueur of preference. Use a strainer to remove the solid ingredients. Serve the mulled wine warm with your favorite garnish – try one of these: Pomegranate seeds Rosemary…

Kytherian Thyme Honey

10.11.2019 in Gastronomy

Kytherian Thyme Honey ORIGIN AND TRAITS In the “Unique Foods of Greece” series, we have been given the chance to feature products which are representative instances of the Greek culture, such as olive oil or landmark cultivars of various regions, such as Laconian oranges or Corinthian currants; however, never have we presented a product of such limited availability in the market yet premium quality on a worldwide level, the Kytherian thyme honey. The island of Kythera, which is situated opposite the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese, is a land where agricultural activity takes place in a pure and…

Dried figs spoon sweet

23.09.2019 in Gastronomy

Dried figs spoon sweet Ingredients 2 pounds dried figs 2 pounds sugar 1 ¼ cups water ¼ cup cognac Juice of a medium lemon Walnuts, almonds (by preference) Method Cut the figs into pieces and soak them for two hours in cognac. In a saucepan with a wide bottom, pour the water with the sugar. Once the sugar is dissolved, add the figs. Once boiled, remove from the heat and allow the figs to soak in the syrup for two hours. After two hours continue a slow boil until the syrup is cooked. Add the walnuts and almonds….

Dried Figs

23.09.2019 in Gastronomy

Dried Figs Nowadays as more and more people are aware of the benefits of a healthy nutrition, maintaining a balanced diet is not only an option but a way of life. While there is a plethora of main courses which are savory yet nutritious, the challenge arises when it comes to conscious dessert choices. With a wide variety of calorific dense sweet snacks which are readily available, it is often difficult to opt for a healthier alternative. However, if you are looking for a filling, easy-to-pack snack which is nutritive and available all-year-round, then dried figs are the choice…

Carob

13.06.2019 in Gastronomy

Carob Carob (Ceratonia Siliqua) ORIGIN AND TRAITS In the “Unique Foods of Greece” series there has been featured a diversity of alimentary goods; from superfoods and typical Greek products to foods of historic and cultural value. However, never have we discussed such an underestimated seed which was once only fed to animals and was hardly considered to be edible. For a fact, the overlooked Carob, the pod of the locust-tree which is native to the Mediterranean region, has played a significant role during times of famine and financial instability. In ancient times, the weight of carob beans was…

Carob Chocolates

13.06.2019 in Gastronomy

Carob Chocolates Ingredients ½ cup chopped almonds 6 tbsp. carob flour 3 tbsp. honey 1 tbsp. tahini 1 ½ cups milk chocolate Optional: Sprinkles, shredded coconut, ground nuts Method Combine all ingredients, except the milk chocolate, in a blender and blend until it becomes a smooth mixture. Form into the shape of small balls. Refrigerate for 45 minutes to an hour. Melt the milk chocolate in the microwave, then dip the carob balls to cover them lightly (use a skewer or toothpick in the carob ball to dip it in the chocolate). Place on a pan covered with nonstick plastic…

The unique foods of Greece and their health benefits: Garlic

05.05.2019 in Gastronomy

The unique foods of Greece and their health benefits: Garlic ORIGIN AND TRAITS In this month’s “Unique Foods of Greece” let us begin with an enigma; what has a distinctive flavor, is a guilty pleasure you regret consuming due to its aftertaste, yet offers you a plethora of health benefits? Despite the vast variety of alimentary goods, I think it comes as an easy guess that garlic is the answer. Known for its intense and spicy taste, garlic is one of the most natural antitoxin, antibiotic and antiseptic food sources. Originating from the depths of Mongolia, garlic spread out…

Skordalia, Potato and Garlic Mash

05.05.2019 in Gastronomy

Skordalia, Potato and Garlic Mash Ingredients 2 medium potatoes 3-5 cloves of garlic 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar ½ cup olive oil 1 tbsp. salt Method Wash the potatoes. Peel and cut into large pieces. Place the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water and boil for 20-25 minutes until they become soft. In a food processor add the garlic cloves, salt, white wine vinegar and blend. Add the potatoes, blend and then pour the olive oil gradually while blending until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste the mixture to test that the garlic is to your preference…

Oranges

04.04.2019 in Gastronomy

The unique foods of Greece and their health benefits: Oranges Orange (Citrus sinensis) ORIGIN AND TRAITS Whether a healthy nutrition enthusiast or a plain consumer, everybody knows that vitamins are an essential element to look for in a diet. As for vitamin C, the source it is most related to is, without a doubt, the orange. A glass of orange juice as a part of breakfast meals is a healthy boost for the day or even acts as a prevention for the common cold. In any part of the world, orange is the answer, no matter the given question….