Greek cuisine

By: Kyra. W

History
The earliest evidence of human presence in the Balkans, dated to 270,000 BC. Settlements in Greece, dating from the 7th millennium BC, is the oldest in Europe by several centuries. The Ottoman period was a big part of Greek culture and influences, because this power felt they need to take control and change Greece into something they felt was right, when everyone in Greece thought the complete opposite. Greece lies on the route which farming spread from the Near East to Europe.

Geography/ Climate
Greece has mountainous, mainland jutting out into the sea at the southern end of the Balkans. 80% of Greece consists of mountains or hills, making the country one of the most mountainous in Europe. The climate of Greece is mainly Mediterranean, with mild wet winters and hot, dry summers.

Religions
The Greek Constitution recognizes the Orthodox Christian faith as the most common faith of the country, while guaranteeing freedom of religious belief for all. The Greek government does not keep statistics on religious groups. According to the U.S. State Department, an estimated 97% of Greek citizens identify themselves as Orthodox Christians, which belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church. There are also other smaller religions but the most common one is Orthodox Christian.

Immigration
Many dishes are part of the larger tradition of Ottoman cuisine and their names reveal Arabic, Persian or Turkish roots. Many names of dishes entered the Greek cuisine during Ottoman times, or earlier in contact with the Persians and the Arabs. There are a few other cultures that have immigrated from Asian, there are a minority of Muslims, and other smaller groups.

Typical Flavours
Greek cuisine is an example of the healthy Mediterranean sea diet. Greek cuisine incorporates fresh, and healthy ingredients in there dishes. Throughout Greece people enjoy eating small dishes with a variety of dips and small appetizer like choices. Greek cuisine is very different from other places around them they like to use different herbs and spices.

Typical spices
Oregano or (Rigani) Mint or (diosmos) Anise or (glykaniso) Saffron All these spices are commonly used in Greek cuisine to give it that authentic Greek flavour in there dishes. They also use other spices but they are imported from other places.

Dishes
Main: moussaka, stifado, Greek salad, fasolada, spanakopita and souvlaki. Snacks: Spinach and Feta Tartines, White Asparagus and Ricotta Bruschetta, Individual Greek Pie Rolls with Kalamata Olives. Desserts: galaktoboureko,
Muffins with Gruyre Cheese, Dried Figs, Rosemary and Thyme

Drinks: ouzo, metaxa, and retsina.

Refrences
http://www.ehow.com/list_6505357_spices-used-greekseasoning.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_cuisine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece#History