Sure, Greek cuisine is delicious year round, but it just feels so right in the summer. The kiss of smoke from the grill, the abundance of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and eggplant, and an easygoing mezze-based style of menu planning makes it our favorite way to cook in the hottest months. These are a few of our favorite Greek recipes for summer.
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RecipeGrilled Striped Bass with Summer Tomatoes and Horta
Horta is a simple Greek side dish made with a medley of edible leafy greens of the sort that grow wild on hillsides in the Mediterranean. The greens vary in tenderness and bitterness according to the time of year and location in which they’re grown. The combination of sweet tomatoes and slightly pungent greens harmonizes nicely with the smoky, grilled flavors of the fish.
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RecipeGrilled Halloumi with Rosemary-Grape-Walnut Relish and Garlic Bread
Halloumi, a goat and sheep’s milk cheese from Cyprus, is perfect for grilling: It softens over the heat but doesn’t melt. This cheese plate, complete with grilled grapes and rustic bread, is an elegant way to start off a special-occasion meal, or it can be the meal itself with a green salad.
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RecipeGrilled Eggplant Rolls with Feta and Olives
Luscious grilled eggplant slices filled with tangy feta, briny olives, and fresh herbs make an elegant yet easy summer starter or light dinner. Having a cookout? The recipe can be easily doubled for a crowd.
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RecipeChicken Horiataki Salad with Tzatziki
Pounding chicken breasts thin (or even using presliced cutlets) means they grill to perfection soon after hitting the heat. Paired with a salad of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a creamy yogurt dressing, it makes a super refreshing summer dinner. -
RecipeGrilled Lamb Burgers with Marinated Red Onions, Dill, and Feta
When you tire of the basic burger, this Mediterranean-inspired version is just the ticket. The quick-pickled red onions add dimension and are a great addition to the cucumber, tomato, and feta. To keep with the Greek theme, serve the burgers in warm pita bread, though whole-wheat hamburger buns would work, too. For tips on grilling the perfect burger, check out the Guide to Grilling.
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RecipeZucchini Fritters (Kolokithakia keftedes)
A crowd-pleasing party appetizer or mezze, these simple fritters make the most of summer's most ubiquitous vegetable. -
RecipeWilted Arugula Salad with Crisp Potatoes, Feta & Warm Black Olive Vinaigrette
What's easier than a big, colorful salad for dinner? The potatoes go a long way toward making this dish feel like dinner, but to make it even more substantial, top it with a seared chicken breast.
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RecipeFresh Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries
A creamy, thick, tangy homemade yogurt served with fresh berries and honey makes a delicious dessert after a healthful meal. -
RecipeGreek-Style Dry-Rubbed Lamb Ribs
Greek cuisine celebrates the delicious versatility of lamb. Gamey lamb ribs are the perfect canvas for the assertive oregano and fragrant garlic featured in the Mediterranean diet. This recipe uses a combination of smoking and direct searing to harness the smoke flavor while making sure the fat is rendered nicely. -
RecipeEggplant Chips with Honey and Sea Salt
Frying very thinly sliced eggplant yields a crispy texture for a whole new way to enjoy eggplant. Serve as a starter or snack, or with grilled kebabs or falafel. -
RecipeOrzo with Shrimp, Tomato, and Marinated Feta
The combination of shrimp, feta, tomatoes, and pasta is one that you'll return to time and again for easy one-pot suppers. -
RecipePistachio Phyllo Bites
Reminiscent of baklava, these treats are ready in minutes. A perfect sweet bite to cap off a meal, they look especially pretty garnished with a bright green raw pistachio.
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RecipeGrilled Pita Bread
While cooking, a pocket forms inside these classic flatbreads. Enjoy them filled with sliced grilled meat, lightly dressed greens, and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
