Bon Appetit baby!

What an incredible thing to have but can also be too much, but we should savour the natural enjoyment and desire of savouring every moment or mouthful.

kalí órexi καλή όρεξη

bon appétit

Buen provecho

Buon appetito

It is not just said to be fashionable or european as we often think in the UK. Our European friends really do mean it when they say this before they sit down to eat. It’s almost like a blessing.

Being thankful of what’s in front of you, wishing everyone that you are sitting with good digestion and good enjoyment of their food. And, why not, Food nourishment and flavours are a wonderful thing!

I certainly have missed my appetite will being ill with Covid and once my appetite returned I was so so happy because I really do love food and flavours so much. I also know too well when my appetite increases too much I am in danger of  going up dress sizes quickly.

I can her my Greek dad’s voice in the back of my head saying , “Moderation in everything Varvara”. 

Let’s not forget that appetite comes into play in everything in life, not just for food. Purpose or zest for life, appetite for loving, appetite for sex, appetite for work. But all in good balance is the healthy way to wellness, balanced mind and body, and having a less complicated life as everything just seems to work and flow as it should.

That’s why I thought I would share some of my favourite Greek inspired recipes to get your appetite for healthy eating, for life and for thinking about sunshine again.

You can also download them as handy recipe cards!

Varvara’s Greek inspired Healthy eating staples

Briami – Baked vegetables

Ingredients

• 2 Aubergines
• 3 Courgettes
• 2 red onions
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 5/6 potatoes
• Tin of tomatoes or fresh tomatoes
• 5 good glugs of olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Oregano (I also like to add in turmeric and paprika and some balsamic vinegar for a difference)

Mix altogether in a big deep oven tray and bake for approx 1 hour or until potatoes are cooked through.

Tip: This should look juicy,  and moist rather than crunchy firm vegetables. All Greek cooking is about the Zoumi – The juice/sauce that you can dunk bread into.

Fakes – Greek lentil soup – peasants dinner for the family

Ingredients

• Half a packet of lentils (green or brown)
• 1 red onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 grated carrot
• 1 grated celery stick
• Oregano (I always add in turmeric and smoked paprika as it’s my favourite and added depth to my cooking)
• 2 bay leaves
•  Quarter of a cup of olive oil
• 6 tbsp organic cider vinegar and or balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper
• 1 Tbsp of tomato paste

Add all ingredients into a deep pan except olive oil, salt and vinegar and Tomato paste.

Cover lentils and ingredients with water plus add an extra 2 cups. Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 min or until lentils and potatoes are soft.

Add in olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and tomato paste and simmer for an extra 15 min.

Serve with extra vinegar if needed and crumbled feta and village style bread

Tip: Adding the salt later will prevent the lentils hardening before they are cooked. If you like a thicker soup add in less water to begin with and add as you go along. Bay leaf or Laurel, have anti flatulent properties, so don’t forget this when cooking lentils.

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Greek salad – Chicken Souvlaki – Tzatiki

All children and adults love this meal and will remind you of your Greek summer holiday

Grilled chicken souvlaki

Cook for 15/20 min. Keep turning

Ingredients

• Chicken chunks
• Wooden skewers
• Oregano
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

My tip: Use smaller pieces of chicken and season well for better flavour!

Greek Salad

Ingredients

• Feta
• Olive oil
• Organic cider vinegar
• Olives
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Green peppers

Tip: You can also add in capers. I love lots of dressing to traditionally dip in bread afterwards. The juice of the tomatoes with the dressing and crumbled feta makes the last bit in the bowl the best for traditionally dunking your village bread into.

Make in a large enough bowl that you can turn all the ingredients around well enough. Sometimes a larger but more shallow dish works well.

Tzaziki – The medicine of the meal

Ingredients

• A tub of Greek yogurt
• 1 whole cucumber, grated 
• 3-4 crushes garlic cloves 
• Salt and pepper

Tip: always squeeze out the water from the cucumber before you add it to the yogurt. Add a little olive oil to serve and a sprinkle of paprika

Let me know how you get on with the above! I’ll be sharing more of my favourite recipes with you soon.

In the mean time, if you need help with healthy eating and weight balance get in touch today for a FREE 20 minute chat.