The Peloponnese, a stunning mountainous peninsula steeped in history, offers a glimpse into a simpler way of life. As you traverse this unspoiled terrain, it’s easy to imagine the echoes of ancient battles and the passage of empires, from Athens and Sparta to the Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans. Few places in the world have retained their essence over millennia quite like this, and this timeless quality is, to me, what makes it truly enchanting. It’s the perfect setting to delve into the heart of Greek food, where the unhurried pace of life is reflected in a cuisine that has remained remarkably unchanged for centuries. Here, you truly understand the essence of the Greek Family Kitchen.
At the very core of the greek family kitchen is the ubiquitous olive. Olive trees blanket the landscape, stretching across thousands of acres and yielding what are arguably the world’s finest olives. It’s almost impossible to find a traditional Greek recipe that doesn’t celebrate their exceptional olive oil, most notably the iconic Greek Salad. Traditional Greek cooking is all about allowing the quality of simple, local ingredients to shine. When we visit, our meals are typically centered around meat and fish, grilled to perfection over open coals with just lemon, oregano, and of course, olive oil, alongside a classic Greek salad (absolutely no lettuce or peppers!). There’s a comforting assurance in knowing that the meat comes from animals raised naturally on the land and the fish are incredibly fresh from the sea. When ingredients taste this good, overpowering their natural flavors would be a culinary injustice in the greek family kitchen.
Lamb naturally holds a special place in Greek cuisine and in the greek family kitchen. Ordering a platter of succulent lamb chops is almost a reflex when we arrive in Epidavrous. Even during the scenic drive from Athens through the Peloponnese, the anticipation of grilled lamb often makes me a little heavier on the accelerator. However, for me, Greek Octopus Stifado truly embodies the best of Greek home cooking. Anyone acquainted with Tony and Angela will know about Angela’s legendary Greek Octopus Stifado, a dish consistently requested by her own family. While I doubt anyone can replicate Angela’s mastery, she has graciously shared her recipe, and I can only hope we do it justice, along with our BBQ Greek Lamb Pittas and Tzatziki, in our own explorations of the greek family kitchen.
