Αρχείο ετικέτας diet

Raki (tsikoudia)- The cretan spirit

Raki is a real Cretan product closely related to the Greek way of life, hospitality and entertainment of the Greeks!

Is the drink served in Crete on almost every occasion. Cretan raki is consumed as a sign of friendship and politeness, as a means of social communication. It is served almost naturally after every meal and there is often the opportunity to drink raki!

The process of making Cretan Raki

The process for Cretans is the same as it was centuries ago…

Raki is made in the autumn after the grape harvest, when the vines have been pruned. Raki is obtained from the grape press residue during winemaking, the core, by distillation. It contains an average of 30 to 40 percent alcohol by volume…

grape harvest

Distillation follows an ancient method that has been used for centuries and is now part of the Cretan tradition. The marc, which has been fermented in barrels for more than a month, boils in a special kettle, the Kazani.

distilation of raki

The kettle or kazani consists of 4 parts:

• the pot with the marc.

• The lid is big enough to seal as much steam as possible.

• The pipe is long enough to leave space between the fire that heats the pomace and the cold water (see next step). The pipe (Loulas in Greek) directs the steam to the barrel.

•The barrel (or rouba) with cold water inside so that the steam flowing through the tube becomes raki drops.

To our health (yamas)

A typical Greek phrase, known worldwide- Yamas! It is heard in every celebration, feast, in every form of hospitality

yamas

Give us good wine and raki and we know what to do with them!

Our suggestion for excellent quality of raki and wine, is to visit our online store www.cretaneshop.gr and then YAMAS!

A special “lamb” of Crete, the Andikristo!

A genuine Cretan recipe, of the shepherds in the mountainous locations of Crete, characterizes the entire island.

A deep tradition of Cretan cuisine with minimal ingredients and incredible taste…

Cut the lamb into four pieces and without unnecessary spices, just salt and pepper, each one is passed on a pointed stick.

Then the coals are lit, and the improvised wooden spits are placed on opposite sides, and not on top of the fire. Distance from fire and air will give the desired effect!

It is the food of feasts and joy and of course you will find it in most restaurants in Crete!

Enjoy this recipe (upon order) and many more traditional recipes of Crete, in our tavern!

Contact us: 00302810821050 & info@arolithos.com

Petimezi- The Greek Grape Syrup!

Cretan Petimezi (molasses) is the greek grape syrupmade with local grapemust, full of iron and calcium!

This is the world’s oldest natural sweetener, a nutritious and healthier alternative to refined sugar… Use it for sweet and savoury dishes… in sauces, as a topping for pancakes , in cooking and pastry making..!

100% NATURAL
NO PRESERVATIVES
NO ADDITIVES
NO COLOURANTS
NO SUGAR ADDED
GLUTEN FREE
VEGAN

Now it’s time to find this perfect product via our eshop : www.cretaneshop.gr


Homemade honey nougat!

It’s time to create delicious and very healthy nougat!

Homemade nougat

Homemade nougat

Ingredients:

300 g of thyme honey

300 g raw sesame seeds

1 lemon zest Instructions

 

Preparation:

I wash the sesame well and pour it into a non-stick frying pan, over medium heat, stirring constantly until it begins to smell and darken. I pull it out immediately. I put the honey in a non-stick saucepan and let it boil on medium heat for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes I add a lemon zest and when it starts to tighten I pour the sesame seeds, mix well and leave for 2 more minutes. I have prepared a refractory rectangular dish with oil paste and pour the mixture into it.

As it is hot with care, I cover it with a second paper on top and with the help of a glass, spread it evenly, pressing to coat and flatten the surface. Remove the paper, allow it to cool slightly and cut with a sharp knife into rectangular pieces. I don’t move them, I leave them in the pan to cool completely. I store them in a sealed container or I can pack them in a package.

I can also wrap them with film. Store at room temperature for months. ENJOY!

Visit www.cretaneshop.gr for our products and for any information contact us: 0030-2810821050 or eshop@arolithos.com

Gemista! A spectacular Greek style risotto!

Gemista are vegetables usually tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini and eggplant filled with rice (sometimes with ground meat) and baked in the oven!

GemistaGemista

To make this easy recipe for gemista, pick your favorite vegetables and follow the instruction bellow!

Ingredients: (for five persons)
7 tomatoes (600g)
3 red peppers horn shaped (200g)
1 eggplant (200g)
1 potato (200g)
1 onion (160g)
Rice (250g)
Extra virgin olive oil (250-300mL)
Dill (100g)
Parsley (100g)
Salt 1 table spoon
Black pepper ½ tea spoon
Oregano ½ table spoon
Water ½ glass
Cooking time: 45 min – 60 min.
Temperature: 200 Celsius

Preparation:
Wash carefully all veggies. Cut off their top not very deep but neither too shallow, just enough to remain and to use later as cap.Keep the tops.

With a spoon or another kitchen tool remove the flesh from the vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, and red peppers) , not the potato. Keep the flesh of tomato.

Dispose that of eggplant and peppers. Be careful to leave enough flesh and skin for a firm and stable shell to be filled with rice. Wash your rice and add it in a bowl.

Chop the removed tomato flesh in small pieces and add them to the bowl. Optionally you can chop a medium carrot and add it to the mixture, or you can skip that. After adding the chopped tomato, add the salt, the black pepper, parsley, dill, the ¾ of the olive oil, the oregano and chop also the onion and add it. Then mix thoroughly.

Take a medium-large baking pan with walls high enough for the fluids that will be added. Place the empty vegetables in the pan, salt them, and carefully fill them, but not to the top, about a little bit more than the half way. Place the caps then, the potato sliced, and add the water.

At the end, rinse with the remaining olive oil on top the whole pan. Its ready to cook. Preheat the oven and place the food for 45mins to an hour at 200 celsius. For the first 30 mins put aluminium foil and cover the pan. After remove it and leave it for the remaining time uncovered. Take them out and leave it for 10 mins to cool off. Now its ready to serve. Your serving should be accompanied by either Feta cheese or Greek yoghurt.

Bon Appétit!

In our online store, you can find great quality of extra virgin olive oil, maybe one of the most important things on this plate!

Visit www.cretaneshop.gr and for any information contact us: 0030-2810821050 or eshop@arolithos.com

Greek Coffee!

A cup of coffee is a daily ritual for most of us. Those who love coffee can not start the day without it. He is known for the particular method of manufacture and delivery of serving. Makes it easy to chat and some would even say that a cup of coffee accompanies any gossip!

Greek  delight enhances the whole experience an excellent feeling: Hot coffee with thick cream, some greek delight and our bodies refreshed!

Ελληνικός καφές & Λουκούμι

Ελληνικός καφές & Λουκούμι

The sweet taste of loukoumi makes contrast with the bitter taste of coffee – and this is especially important for those who drink their coffee without sugar!

Water is important customary to serve coffee with a glass of water. Have you ever wondered why? Drinking water before coffee helps your taste buds to feel the real taste of coffee and drinking water after helps you rinse your throat from any traces of sediment.

One by one the steps for a delicious Greek!

coffee production

coffee production

1. Take a clean and dry coffee pot with a dry throat. Fill the pot with so many cups of water (preferably lukewarm) and those coffees that we want to build.
2. With the special spoon put a spoonful Loumidis for every cup of sugar and as much desire.
3. Then place the pot on medium fire center to heat the entire pot and stir slowly until dissolved coffee and sugar (attention after this point should not mix the coffee again).
4. Once the coffee begins to inflate, to remove the fire and hit the pot 2-3 times light in the counter. Then bloated coffee settles for a while.
5. Return the pot immediately on the fire and when the coffee begins to inflate again, to remove from fire, wait a few seconds and slowly we serve the classic cup of Greek coffee.
 
Variations of Greek coffee …

This is the usual Greek coffee, and are some of the best known “variations” of:

Meraklidikos : heavy 2-3 tablespoons
Light: 1/2 – 1 tablespoon
sweet: 2-4 tablespoons sugar
Medium: 1 tablespoon sugar
Yes-No: 1/2 tablespoon sugar
Heavy sweet : three scoops of coffee and sugar
Glyky boiled: 2 tablespoons sugar

Get a good blend of Greek coffee here  and of course our wonderful delights here and let yourself be spoiled!

www.cretaneshop.gr