Dress up your Greek feasts with these great treats and accessories.
1. Baklava
Nothing can replace fresh, locally-baked baklava, but for those who are truly baklava-depriced, here are some on-line sources for the sticky, delicious treat. My suggestion? Pop them in a warm oven for a few minutes just before serving to enhance the fragrance and flavor.
2. Greek Cheeses
Greek cheeses are one of the surprises of traveling in Greece - there's a lot more going on than just feta, especially since Greece has sheep dairies that provide a source of rich ewe's milk. Select from prime fetas, kasseri, and many more.
3. Mavrodaphne Wine from Achaia Clauss
This ancient sweet wine is not for everyone, but it's my personal favorite and I'm thrilled to find it online. I've had it from virtually every winery making it in Greece, but Achaia Clauss was my first experience with it and I'm still (somewhat...) faithful to it. If you like dessert wines or port, you will love this wine infused with the mysterious magic of many ancient evenings. To me, this wine is the color Homer meant when he wrote of the "wine-dark sea".4. Taramosalata Greek Caviar Spread
This one is an acquired taste, and, unfortunately, many travelers to Greece only get served a touristy bright pink version. This one from Krinos is a creamy delight. If you like the taste of red caviar, this will be a delight. But forget using it on pita bread - try it on any good, solid sandwich bread. You'll almost never find pita bread on a truly Greek table. Only problem - it's by the case.5. Extra Virgin
An exploration of the delights of the finest olive oils (you knew that's what we were talking about here, didn't you?) and their uses.6. Traditional Greek Cooking
Find out about the other wines of Greece and the culinary masterpieces which best set them off in George Moudiotis' <I>Traditional Greek Cooking: The Foods and Wines of Greece</I>, a rich compendium of recipes drawn from all over Greece.7. Evangelina's Traditional Olive Oil Cookies
People are often surprised to learn that Greek baking uses olive oil instead of butter or lard... and they expect cookies to taste like table olives. Nothing could be further from the truth! Try these tasty cookies and you'll be a convert.