Go Greek for dinner
Ethnic recipes don’t have to be difficult, especially when a cuisine is represented by some common flavors. For Greek food, those seasonings include spices like oregano and garlic along with some common ingredients like feta cheese. Try using these items to bring the flavor of Greece to dinner.
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Greek-Style Green Beans
2 cups fresh green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 small sweet onion, cut into thin wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small tomato, cut into eighths
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
Place the beans in a saucepan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes; drain. In a small skillet, sauté onion in oil for 3 minutes. Add the beans; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat. Add the tomato, oregano, salt, and pepper; cook heated through, about 2 minutes. Makes 2 servings.
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Greek Pita Pizzas
2 whole pita breads
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil, divided
1/4 cup sliced black olives
2 teaspoons red wine or cider vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Dash pepper
1/2 cup torn fresh spinach
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 small tomato, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to broil. Brush pita with 1 tablespoon oil. Place on a baking sheet. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the olives, vinegar, garlic, oregano, basil, pepper, and remaining oil. Spread over pitas; top with spinach, feta cheese, tomato, and Parmesan cheese. Broil until cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Makes 2 servings.
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Greek Tomato and White Bean Pasta
2 14.5-ounce cans Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 19-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
10 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped
8 ounces penne pasta
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes and beans in a large non-stick skillet. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Add spinach to the sauce; cook until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Serve sauce over pasta, and sprinkle with feta. Makes 4 servings.
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Pantry Pointers
If a recipe calls for Greek seasoning and you don’t have any on hand, make your own. For every teaspoon of seasoning called for, combine 1/4 teaspoon each dried oregano and dried thyme with 1/8 teaspoon each dried basil, dried marjoram, onion powder, and garlic powder.
The Practical Pantry ©2008 Tammy P. Olson
http://www.practicalpantry.com
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