Kopiaste to AWED: GREEK & Bourou Bourou

Greek Cuisine is the forerunner of European Cuisine and has a long tradition.It is said that the first cookbook recorded was created by Greeks.The cuisine makes excellent use of seasonal ingredients and it is said that tomatoes and other veggies taste best when in Greece.Greece the 'Hellenic Republic ' as it is known is well developed right from early times what with its ancient civilizations and its contribution to various fields like Administration,Art,literature and even food. The culinary tradition has inspired even neighbouring Italy,Southern France and even the Middle East as well.If the triad of 'wheat,wine and olive oil' formed the basis of ancient Greek Cuisine then the current culinary tradition brings into mind the kalamata olives,the thick yoghurt,the salty feta and Baklava.

AWED - A Worldly Epicurean's Delight an event originally by epicurean DK of Chef In You,takes you through a wonderful journey through world cuisines.The current stop is Greece and lets celebrate Greek cuisine all this month with its delicious vegetarian menu.

Kopiaste to AWED:GREEK

Kopiaste is a Greek Term that generally means welcome. it is said that you are lucky if invited by a Greek for a meal at his house.The table is supposed to be full of culinary delights that you will be at a loss as to what to eat.So I seriously expect you to fill the AWED:Greece Table with your culinary wonders that must follow the rules given below:

• Make any Greek dish -vegetarian (eggs are allowed in AWED) /vegan and post the same in your blog.Feel free to use the logo. The logo is based on the National Emblem or the Greek Coat of Arms.


• The entry should be linked to this post and also to DK's event announcement post.


• Multiple entries are welcome,since more the entries,more the choices available.


• Send me your 'name','recipe','recipe url' and '300 px wide pic' to 'tastycurryleaf@gmail.com'


• All the entries between March 1st 2010 and March 31st 2010 are eligible for the event.


• Non bloggers can send the above details to the same mail address

The cuisine needs no introduction and the links of almost all the dishes are available on the WorldWide Web.But still. some important Greek Blogs are:

1. Kalofagas
2. Kopiaste
3. Mama'sTaverna
4. ClosetCooking
5. MedCooking in Alaska
6. Greek Gourmand

and several other droolworthy blogs/sites some giving even the detailed history behind the Greek Food.

Bourou Bourou

This is a simple vegetable and pasta soup from the island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea. The dish which I adapted from here makes excellent use of veggies and can be made with whatever veggies you have in hand along with pasta to obtain a hearty comforting meal.

Ingredients:

Spaghetti: 1/2 cup + broken into small pieces.

Potato: 1 peeled and cubed
Tomato: 1 chopped
Carrots: 2 cut into long pieces
Bell Pepper: 1 chopped
Celery: 1 stem chopped


Tomato Paste: 1 tbsp
Chilli Flakes or Hot Pepper : 1/2 tsp +/-
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil: 1 tbsp

Preparation:
Put all the chopped vegetables in water and cook till tender.Add in tomato paste,little salt,pepper,olive oil ,chili flakes and boil for five more minutes.Add in the broken pasta (I just halved the spaghetti),and cook till aldente or done.

The soup was a chunky broth of pasta and veggies.Simple yet hearty and a nice starter soup if served in small bowls.There goes my first entry to AWED:Greece.

Kali Orexi (Bon Appetite in Greek!)