The Flavours of Greece festival begins this month and is a showcase of food events around Melbourne that celebrate the diversity of the Greek cuisine.
This year we are taking part in the festival with a special 4-course dinner that I have designed to celebrate the food of Smyrna.
Smyrna (modern day Izmir on the coast of Turkey) was once a multicultural city that was home to a large Greek population. It is the birth city of my maternal grandparents and much of my Greek food experience has been shaped by the flavours of this region.
This dinner will begin with a siple plate of mezze comprising, cured fish and meats that will be accompanied by a glass of ouzo.
The second course will be all about seafood such as stuffed mussels, braised cuttlefish and a delicate fish terine, washed down with a glass of Greek white wine.
Third course is my all time favourite dish of lightly spiced soutzoukakia (meat balls). They are a taste sensation and are probably one of the most famous dishes of Smyrna. A glass of Greek red will go beautifully with this dish.
To finish a desert that for some reason I just have to keep testing.... Ekmek kataifi.
What can I say, think crunch, mastic syrup, custard, cream, nuts and then put them all into one spoonfull. A Greek coffee and maybe an after dinner sip of ouzo will be the perfect finish to this meal.
If you would like to join us at Angela's Kitchen for this dinner, you can book through the festival website.
