The Greeks have singlehandedly shaped our modern society, and they have also -- and just as importantly -- shaped a way of eating that no country can rival. Not only is their cuisine swimming in fruity olive oil, drowned in red wine and full of mezedes, but it's also a diet that nutritionists across the board tout as the way to eat healthy. While we all try to eat like this, and happily so, the Greeks do it best. It's just their way of living, which explains why they're so much better at life than the rest of us.
Two words: grilled cheese
All cheese, no bread necessary. In Greece, this
grilled cheese is known as Saganaki. It's a yellow cheese -- usually
Graviera -- that has a high melting point so it can stand up to being
fried in a pan. It gets crispy on the outside and melty on the inside.
It's basically everything cheese has ever wanted to be. But the Greeks
don't stop there. They also have Halloumi, another cheese with a high
melting point, that they grill and serve on top of salads or with
watermelon. Trust us, you want all of this.
NO ONE makes a better salad, so don't even try.
Greek salad has everything you need: feta,
tomato, cucumber, oregano, olives and olive oil -- of course. So all you
other salad makers can just go home. (Do you see that feta chunk?!)
Wine comes first, water second.
Wine is not relegated to celebrations or
holidays. No, the Greeks know that wine is an important part of one's
daily diet, along with olive oil. And it has been since ancient Greek
cuisine.
They've never let tentacles scare them.
And we're forever grateful. Because when the
Greeks grill octopus it turns into something we thought was only
possible in our dreams.
Tzatiki is their ketchup.
Yes, yes and yes. Made of yogurt -- so it's
healthy -- cucumbers, garlic, dill or mint, tzatziki is served alongside
meat dishes and mezes.
This is dessert.
Hello, Loukoumades! These are a Greek donut
soaked with honey, and they're served for special occasions. Jelly
donuts have got nothing on these guys. They're even better than you can
fathom they might be. Seriously. In ancient Greece, these deep fried
dough balls were served to the winners of the Greek Olympics. That's how
special they are.
They've turned eating LOTS AND LOTS of olive oil into a healthy pastime.
We can never repay them for this.
Their land is reserved for only important crops: olives and grapes.
For making olive oil and wine, of course. (Well,
that might be a slight exaggeration, but they do produce A LOT of wine
and A LOT of olives.)
(source: huffingtonpost)
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