We appreciate that the traditional Cretan diet is known as being one of the healthiest in the world. Several studies have been carried out to test the effect of Cretan cuisine on human health. The island had attracted the attention of the scientific community as early as 1948. Also the Crete culinery delights are part of the generic term of the Mediterranean Diet.
The core of the cuisine consists of food derived from natural sources, whereas food of animal origin was more peripheral in nature. In general, people consumed seasonal products, available in the wider local area, which underwent minimal processing or none at all. The traditional cuisine was widespread in the island until the 1960s. Many villages still retain the old cooking techniques. These are also to be found in the family-run eateries across the island.
Fresh and dried fruits, pulses, endemic wild herbs and aromatic plants, and rough cereals, whose cultivation was favoured by the regional climate, and were traditionally consumed in great amounts and constituted the base of the Cretan cuisine during the earlier periods. Dairy products, mainly sheep and goats were consumed on a daily basis in low to moderate quantities. Poultry and fish were consumed on a weekly basis in moderate quantities, whereas red meat was consumed only a few times a month. Meat was a sign of wealth in the population.
Olive Oil has been produced fopr thousands of years. Crete and Syria are the two locales credited with grInitially, the protective and beneficial effect of the Cretan cuisine on human health was attributed to its high mono-unsaturated fat content. This is identified and attributed to the daily use of olive oil, firstly and secondly to the low intake of saturated fat, due to the low consumption of red meat. Today it is recognized that this particular nutritional scheme possesses important additional features, providing the necessary micro-constituents (i.e. vitamins and minerals), being rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vegetable fibers, antioxidants and various photochemical elements, which have significant influence on several body functions, and a beneficial effect on health.
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So now we will look at the actual recipes used in Crete and the wider area of Greece, if you have a favourite recipe that you would like published in Brits in Crete Cretan Cuisine section, please send it to us, and we will publish it for you and attach to it you full accreditation and link to your website.
A traditional meze or light meal on the island of #Crete, #dakos also called koukouvayia and known as "Greek bruschetta," and is easy to make with few ingredients including tomato, fetta cheese, herbs and no cooking.
A deliciously creamy Greek-inspired pasta salad with diced peppers, #Kalamata #olives, fresh dill, scallions and capers coated in a feta-yogurt dressing.
Creamy semolina custard topped with filo pastry is baked until golden then bathed in sweet syrup. An easy custard pie that doesn’t require a pie crust or shell.
Fava is an easy dish to make and its bright yellow lentil colour is a pretty addition to any spread on the table.
Everyone loves Chicken in #Greek #Lemon #Sauce on white rice .. and its so simple to make, yet so tasty and fresh in the mouth.
This is sort of like a Greek lasagne, topped with a bechamel sauce. This pastitsio recipe makes a lot and is just incredible. Everyone loves this dish and it is worth the effort.
Halva is a semolina pudding that is sweetened with syrup and raisins/sultanas.
A fish pie recipe is nutritious, easy and can be cheap to cook. Buy chunks of fresh seasonal fish whenever you can, frozen is fine, or even tins of tuna.