At the sight or mention of Greece, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?
Some might remember the Greek background of Rick Riordan’s beloved Percy Jackson franchise, while others would daydream about the beaches of the Greek island of Santorini. Sports fanatics would most probably think about the Olympics, too. It would be quite rare for someone to think about Greek cuisine instantly, and it’s quite a shame that it’s totally underrated. Therefore, buckle up because we’ll be touring you around the Hellenic Republic for this third part of Desserts Around the World!
You might remember the Dutch oliebol from our second instalment. This time, give it up for the Greeks’ doughnut, loukoumades! Among the oldest recorded desserts in Greece, this is made of deep-fried flour, sugar, yeast and salt, which is then dipped in honey and sprinkled with sugar or cinnamon. It’s so old that it’s even told to be given as a reward for Olympic winners. Truly, these doughnuts are food for the gods!
A fusion of the two Greek words “karydia” and “pita,” this roughly translates to “walnut pie” in English. Despite this, it’s actually a syrupy cake with walnuts, cinnamon, and flour as its primary ingredients. Depending on your preference, you can also choose to add lemon, brandy, or orange zest in the mix.
Got a nut allergy? The Greeks still have you covered. If you’re as American as an apple pie or just someone who enjoys apple pies in general, then you’d surely be delighted with the Greeks’ take on this esteemed dessert. Enjoy it as a snack or for breakfast—who would even want to miss out on the opportunity to have cake for breakfast?—and with a cake as dense as it is, you’ll undoubtedly be fueled to power through the day.
Indulge in chewy ice cream like no other with a kaimaki. A softer version of Turkey’s dondurma, what sets it apart from other ice cream is its two main ingredients: mastic, giving it its signature elasticity, and salep, serving as its thickening agent. Savour it like a native by drizzling it with sour cherry syrup and adding a handful of pistachios.
You’re most probably already familiar with Greek yogurt, but have you ever tried it on a cheesecake? We think not! Just as any other cheesecake, it’s relatively easy to make. However, unlike different variants, it’s lighter and uses less sugar without compromising the typical cheesecake flavour. Furthermore, a single trip to the grocery store would get you everything that you need:
There truly is a whole lot more to Greece than its famous islands and rich culture. Their exquisite tastes don’t even end in their architecture—indeed, they’ve got more to offer, and their desserts are merely just one of those! Of the five that we’ve mentioned, which would you fly to Greece for? Share it with us in the comments section!
We’re also happy to announce that we are the winners of the Penrith Local Business Awards for 2020! We couldn’t have done it without you and we are so happy for your continued support and love!
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