Four Of The Most Iconic Greek Dishes To Order
Posted on: 16 June 2023
Greek restaurants are fairly common in the United States. Greek food, while unique and loaded with flavor, is fairly approachable and well-liked by many. However, if you are about to visit a Greek restaurant for the first time, you may not be sure what to order. Here are four iconic dishes that represent Greek cuisine well and are definitely worth trying.
Souvlaki
Souvlaki is a dish that consists of marinated lamb meat. Some restaurants in the United States serve it with beef or even chicken instead. The meat is usually served over a bed of lettuce along with black olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, and a delicious Greek dressing over the top. Sometimes it may instead be served on a platter with marinated potatoes and vegetables. The salad presentation tends to be more typical at lunchtime while serving it with potatoes and veggies is more common at dinner. Souvlaki has a lovely flavor that blends garlic, lemon, thyme, and other spices. If you enjoy meat, you're almost certain to love this Greek dish.
Spanakopita
Spanakopita is essentially a spinach pie. The dough is puff pastry, so it is light, airy, and tender. The filling is made from a blend of eggs, cheese, and spinach. You'll sometimes see spanakopita served as an appetizer or as a side dish, but it truly can make a meal by itself. If you're a vegetarian or are not in the mood to eat meat, this is the perfect, authentic dish to order at a Greek restaurant.
Avgolemono
Avgolemono is a soup. It's made with chicken broth that is flavored with lemon and thickened slightly with egg. Usually, you'll see rice and chicken in the soup. Some versions also have small veggies, such as pieces of carrot and peas. This soup is warm and satisfying, but not overly filling. So, it may be offered as a side dish. Dip some pita bread in it for an even more enjoyable experience.
Dolmades
Dolmades are stuffed grape leaves. The filling is a rice mixture that is typically seasoned with fresh herbs, such as dill and thyme. Some versions also contain some ground meat. The grape leaves are rolled around the rice, creating cylinder-shaped bites. Enjoy dolmades as an appetizer or as a side dish. They're lovely dipped in tzatziki, which is a cucumber-yogurt sauce.
Each of these Greek dishes has something unique to offer. Order one or more of them, and you're sure to have a great meal. Visit a local Greek restaurant for more ideas.
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