We are going to do a list of spices used in Greek cooking. I will try to be accurate but may miss a few.
Allspice- You have to be careful when using allspice as it is quite potent and a little goes along ways. Allspice is used in pickling and its flavor enhances stews some meats and goes into the Red Sauces that are made in Greece.
Anise- One place you will find Anise is in Ouzo. It also used flavor some egg dishes and fish dishes.
Cardamom- Has a faint lemony flavor and because of this Cardamom is used in baked goods and some sauces for fish.
Cinnamon- In Greek cooking this is used in roasts,eat,sauces,sausages
and in some deserts like Rice Pudding.
Cloves- Is mainly used in deserts but one of my favorites things to do with Cloves is to insert them into pork and then glaze the pork with a sweet honey sauce.
Coriander- Is used in some mushroom dishes and its flavor goes well with pork.
Cumin- I s sued in recipes for Spiced Meat and its strong flavor goes well in Red Sauces.
Ginger- This wonderful spice is found in recipes through out the world. In Greek cooking it is in some desert and lends it wonderful flavor to fish marinades.
Hot Peppers - This strong and hot spices is used in traditional cheese dips combined with Feta cheese. In northern Greece Hot Peppers are mixed in some Meat Dishes.
Mahlab- Is a spice that is used in sweet breads called tsoureki. This is a holiday bread. Served at Easter and Christmas. Clean on the name and it will take you to a recipe. As I have never made this dish I though best to link to a recipe.
Gum Mastic- This is a sap from a tree that is ground. It is used in everything from liqueurs to cosmetics. Lately that is some medical evidence that shows this spices can help ulcers.
Saffron - With this spice you only need a few threads to add wonderful flavor to starch dishes ranging from Rice to Potatoes. It add a nice Yellow tint and a very aromatic flavor to Rice. In some regions you will Saffron is used in fish dishes.
Sumac - Sumac was originally used in the Middle East and trade brought it into Greek Cuisines. It can be used as a rub on meat dishes or sprinkled over humus. It has a nice tart almost lemony flavor.
Whats interesting in going over the list of spices used in Greek cooking is how so many of them are also know in Middle Eastern or even Asian Cooking. This really show how inter connected the world has always been. Bound by trade which has brought some wonderful flavors to our plates.
