Greek
Cuisine
ARNI
Say: ar-NEE
Lamb
BAKLAVA
Say: bak-la-VA
Dessert made with flaky filo layered with butter and walnuts and topped
with a honey-flavored syrup
BIRA
Say: BEE-ra
Beer
DOLMA
Say: dol-MA
Grape leaves stuffed and cooked with some combination of ground beef,
minced lamb, herbs, and rice
GALAKTOBOURIKO
Say: ga-lak-to-BOU-ree-ko
Custard wrapped in layers of buttered filo and topped with a
honey-flavored syrup
GYRO
Say: YEE-ro
A blend of pork and lamb that is sliced off a big spit, served in a pita
bread, and topped with tzatziki sauce
HALVA
Say: hal-VA
Confection of tahini (creamed sesame seeds), sugar, and vegetable oil;
often compressed into a block and flavored with either vanilla, cocoa,
or pistachios
KASSERI
Say: kas-SE-ree
Pale yellow Greek cheese with a mild buttery flavor and springy texture;
versatile, multi-flavored cheese made primarily of sheep's milk that has
no rind yet is quite salty and pungent
KOURAMBIE
Say: kou-ram-BE
Almond butter cookies dusted with powdered sugar; often known as Greek
wedding cookies
pl. KOURAMBIEDES (Say: kou-ram-BE-thes)
KRASI
Say: kra-SEE
Wine
LOUKOUMAS
SAY: lou-kou-MAS
Greek version of beignets drizzled with honey and dusted wth cinnamon
pl. LOUKOUMADES (Say: lou-kou-MA-thes)
MANOURI
Say: ma-NOU-ree
Creamy white cheese made of either sheep or goat milk whey to which
cream is added; has no rind and comes from the Larissa region of Greece
MEZE
Say: Me-ZE
Appetizer that can be anything from a salad, stewed meat and vegetables,
sardines, beans, sweetbreads, meatballs, cheese, sausage, or fried fish
pl. MEZEDES (Say: me-ZE-thes)
NERO
Say: ne-RO
Water
OUZO
Say: OU-zo
Traditional Greek apéritif with a licorice flavor that can also be used
in some drinks and cocktails
PASTICHIO
Say: pa-STEE-chio
Greek lasagna consisting of a pasta and cream sauce mixture that is
layered with meat sauce; a staple of Greek households
RETSINA
Say: ret-SEE-na
Greek wine flavored with pine resin
RIZOGALO
Say: ree-ZO-ga-lo
Rice pudding made with whole milk, butter, rice, and topped with ground
cinnamon
SOUVLAKI
Say: souv-LA-kee
Skewered
lamb, beef, pork, or chicken that is grilled over an open fire and
served on pita bread; the hamburger of Greece
SPANAKOPITA
SAY: span-a-KO-pee-ta
Spinach pie, usually an appetizer, made with layers of buttered filo
pastry and filled with sauteed spinach, onions, feta cheese, and spices
TARAMO SALATA
Say: ta-ra-mo-sa-LA-ta
Appetizer consisting of a light paste of fish roe, olive oil, lemon
juice, and moistened bread crumbs or mashed potatoes; eaten with
crackers or pita
TIROPITA
SAY: tee-RO-pee-ta
Cheese triangle pastry appetizer made with layers of buttered filo dough
and stuffed with cheese
TZATZIKI
Say: za-ZEE-kee
A flavorful and versatile cucumber sauce that often accompanies gyro;
made with yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh
mint or dill
YIAOURI
Say: ya-UR-tee
Greek yogurt, generally homemade and having a slightly tangy taste;
delicious when topped with honey and chopped walnuts
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