Greek Cooking Traditions

Whether it’s Cairns, Perth or checking into the cooking classes Melbourne has, you will find a varied selection of Greek foods and information as you study this wonderful cuisine. What are some important elements of Greek cooking?

## Rural Tradition

Greek food originally came from rural customs and ways of life. It is not about being hip, beautiful and global with the selection of ingredients, and it is not about appearance — food that you do not dare to touch just because you’re afraid you’d ruin the whole look. Traditional Greek cuisine is all about what happens around you and making use of the ingredients that you already have. It originated from the lower standards of peasants, but was still rich with flavor, taste and affection.

## Fresh Ingredients Only

If the ingredient needed is not in season then do not expect it to be served. We are so accustomed to the idea of getting anything we want at anytime at all, regardless of whether or not it is in season. Anytime we want a durian, we will get one. Anytime we want a strawberry, the grocery story is just a 5 minutes walk away. For all you know, the strawberries might have been plucked even before it was ripe and stored in storage or in the vehicle for days before they are even shipped to you for consumption.

Traditional cuisine however uses only the ingredients that are around them right there and then. If they need to get the ingredients at the local market, they will get what’s been collected that very morning — not something that has been kept for weeks from another country. This preserves the freshness of the food.

## Homemade Everything

No store bought sauces or mixes allowed! Don’t even think of buying your tzatziki or your bread. Everything is from scratch. Not only are the ingredients farm fresh but it is all assembled with love, by hand. There’s no substitute for homemade.

## Plainness

It is presented in a simple way, unlike any of those nouvelle cuisines. All there is to it is some fresh ingredients coupled with some easy recipes that make the delicious taste of Greek cuisine along with a little herbs and spices here and there. Traditional Greek cooking is very delicious and simple looking — just what you want in a cuisine.

## Time to Prepare

Preparing and cooking for Greek cuisine is very time consuming compared to what we are accustomed to when we cook our meals at home daily. This takes us way back to the custom of baking and stewing which are old-fashioned, hand-applied, and spot on. It is from this slow cooking method that all the ingredients blend nicely in order to get that perfect taste. Has any leftover food ever tasted better than the freshly made ones? That is why time plays a huge role in your cooking.

If you’re in Australia, there is a nice selection of cooking courses Melbourne has to offer. Check online or in the local food magazines for more information.

Whether you choose Greek cooking class in Melbourne for casual training, or for the foundation of your culinary career, you will definitely enjoy Greek cooking recipes that Greek cuisine is so famous for!