Have you ever had a meal that, on the surface, appeared quite ordinary, but which, by virtue of circumstance, was made quite extraordinary? I was fortunate to have had just such an experience on the Greek island of Santorini a few years ago. To this day, I still remember how delicious the food was… and how it was made even more delectable by the sights, sounds and smells bombarding my senses at the time. While I have since eaten most of the components of this same meal here at home in Montreal, none of them has come close to tasting as wonderful as they did that sunny, balmy afternoon on Santorini. See what I mean:
The wonderfulness, clockwise from upper left: Tzatziki (garlicky yogourt sauce), spanakopita (spinach pie), domatokeftethes (tomato fritters) and the food of the gods, FETA cheese!
While all this (even shared with a friend) could have easily been a meal, it was followed by one of the best verisons of moussaka (baked beef/lamb, eggplant & potato dish) I’ve ever tasted. And, of course, washed down with a glass of local Santorini red!
Yes, the food was exquisite, but I have Greek friends whose mom could handily whip up anything as good or better. However, would it be accompanied by this kind of view:
I didn’t think so! Cheers to that!
pawsinsd said,
August 21, 2008 at 6:43 am
We did the “Chasing Ulysses” tour through the Ionian seas for my dad’s 70th birthday in 2001 just before I met my husband. Love those Greek seas.
And you’re from Montreal. My Mom and her family are all from Montreal. Most live in Toronto now. Mom lives in California but is still a Canadian citizen.
Good luck with your blog – mine’s new too so please visit cookingwithdee.net.
Cheers! Dee
pawsinsd said,
August 22, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I remember the “meze.” That was the menu for Dad’s birthday dinner off Rhodes, and Captain and crew joined us.
Melizanasalata (eggplant salad), Tzatziki with pita, tyropitta and spanakopita (cheese triangles and spinach/cheese triangles), octopus salad, taramasalata (carp roe) and several others. I astonished Captain and crew with my knowledge of the names of every dish. I don’t speak Greek but I’m a cook, pay attention and am not stupid! Efharisto, Parakalo, laugh at the English translations on Greek menus.
I think my favorite dish was an entire fish presented at table and then filleted. Fresh fish, lemon, herbs. Who can ask for anything more?