| Mediterranean Diet through the Cretan cuisine |
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| It is said that Crete's greatest treasure is to be found in its cuisine. |
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| Cretan cuisine is recently in the spotlight, as it offers an alternative to people looking for a healthier lifestyle in the modern world. Due to its plant-based philosophy and simplicity, it is suitable for vegans, vegetarian and gluten-free dietary requirements. |
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| The prevalence of the Cretan diet throughout the centuries |
The history of the Cretan diet roots lies deep back in the Neolithic Age. Since then, the conquerors left their mark through the centuries, but the Cretan spirit, religion, language and cuisine remained unchanged over the centuries. For the Cretans, the secret of longevity is very simple. They eat anything that, their rich soil produces. Cretans use herbs to add flavour to their meals; they make sweets/cakes with natural sweeteners, honey and grape-juice syrup; while the excellent Cretan wine is an indispensable accompaniment to their meals. The ingenuity of Cretans exploited fully the entire spectrum of ingredient combinations, which resulted in volumes of recipes for meals and desserts. |
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In 1948, the Rockefeller Foundation stated that “The longevity of the Cretans is largely due to the diet that they follow”. Also, in 1999 the World Health Organization expressed the view that the “Cretan diet contributes to maintaining good health and increasing longevity.” They said that the Cretan way of living in the 1960s, is a “phenomenon” because they were “shielded” by heart disease and many kinds of cancer. |
Until recently, the Cretan diet was simple and wholesome. The main ingredient was and still is the olive oil, which accounted for 1/3 of one's daily energy needs.This was mainly followed by cereals, bread, legumes, vegetables and fruits. To a lesser extent, there was consumption of cheese, milk, eggs, fish, meat and a little red wine with each meal... |
Taking the conditions of modern life into account, we would recommend a return to the traditional Cretan diet, but with a noticeable decrease in the amount and frequency of the meat consumption and other animal products. On the other hand, cereals (mainly bread), , legumes, vegetables and fruit should represent 85% of our daily food. The consumption of olive oil must be continued: it has been proven through several past and present studies that this excellent oil plays an all-important role in warding off illnesses and in preserving our good health. |
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| Rethymno Cretan Diet Festival 2022 |
After 2 years of absence, during the first week of July, the 7th Cretan diet festival took place in our beautiful city, Rethymno. This is the most authentic Cretan Festival, where people, the Cretan land and its gifts, gastronomy, culture, traditions and music are in high esteem. |
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| | This is the most authentic Cretan Festival, where people, the Cretan land and its gifts, the Cretan gastronomy, culture, traditions and music are in high esteem. This unique festival took place in the Rethymno Public Garden, between green alleys, producers of local products from all over the island and representatives of folklore presented all kinds of their products – an invaluable wealth of Cretan land and local traditions. |
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| The Cretan Diet Festival is a kind of ark, combining all these elements, including the authenticity and uniqueness of Crete.. In this ark, all the guests – local and tourists from every corner of the world, where invited to enjoy the gifts of the Cretan land, meet her people and have fun together. |
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| Famous Cretan Diet Unique recipes |
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| Lamb with yogurt Arnáki me yiaúrti
INGREDIENTS 1 kg leg of lamb (boned) 100 gr olive oil 100 gr onions 1/2 tsp oregano 1/2 tsp thyme 1-2 cloves garlic salt & pepper 800 gr live Greek yogurt 3 eggs |
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| METHOD Cut the lamb into 50 gr pieces and place in a roasting dish. Add the olive oil, thyme, oregano, finely chopped garlic and chopped onion - mix well. Place in fridge and leave to marinate for 2 hours. Remove from fridge and place in oven (160 C) for 35-40 min. When the meat is cooked, remove from oven and allow to cool whilst preparing the yogurt. In a bowl, mix together the yogurt, salt, pepper and eggs until well blended. Place the meat in a suitably sized ovenproof dish (ceramic is traditional in Crete) and spread the yogurt mixture over the top. Bake in preheated oven (1080 C) for approx. 40 min. Serves 4 |
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| | Kolokythanthí INGREDIENTS 20 courgette flowers 150 gr white rice (glace) 2 ssp dill, finely chopped 1 ssp mint, finely chopped 30 gr onion, grated 30 gr carrot, grated 30 gr courgette, grated 30 gr tomato, grated 200 gr potatoes, sliced 2 pinches salt 2 pinches pepper 200 ml olive oil 100 ml fresh lemon juice |
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| METHOD Place the courgette flowers in cold water to open and make the preparation easier. In a large mixing bowl place the rice, all the chopped and grated ingredients and half of the olive oil. Mix well. With a small spoon, take small amounts of the stuffing and fill the courgette flowers. Fold over the ends to seal the stuffing inside. Place on the bottom of a saucepan with the openings towards the bottom. Pour in enough water to cover. Add 1 pinch of salt, 1 pinch pepper, 1/2 of the lemon juice. Cover and simmer gently for approx. 30 minutes until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. |
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| Sfakianes Pites (pies) INGREDIENTS 210 gr flour 2 tbs olive oil pinch salt 120 ml tepid water 450 gr mizithra (or ricotta) soft cheese honey or quince preserve |
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| METHOD Make a soft dough with the flour, olive oil, salt and water. Let it rest for 30 min. If the cheese contains liquid, drain it on paper towels placed on several layers of newspaper for an hour and squeeze out any remaining liquid. Divide the cheese into 10 pieces and roll each into a ball in the palm of the hand. Divide the dough into 10 portions and, with your hands again, flatten each one into a round flat “pancake” about the size of a salad plate. Cup the pancake in one hand, put one cheese ball in the center of it, close the sides over it and start working the cheese towards the edges, until you have a flat pancake once again. Fry in a crepe or non-stick frying pan for about 2 min on each side. |
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BEAUTIFUL PROPERTIES FOR SALE |
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Plakoti Village is situated in a superb location among olive groves, rivers and gorges….and boasts panoramic sea views. So, whenever the tranquil blue sea calls out to you, it’s just a short 3-kilometre stroll down the lane through the olive trees, to where the long sandy beach awaits you… |
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| Renovated house in the old town of Rethymnon |
A recently well-renovated house located in the Old Town of Rethymno that is light and spacious and has retained the original archways. The clever use of wood throughout the property falls in line with its character blending the old with the new. |
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Beautiful House in Skouloufia with amazing views |
A beautiful house, in a quiet area, only 600 m away from the village of Skouloufia with amazing views over the sea and the mountains. The 88 m2 house is set on a 492 m2 plot and is comprised of an open plan kitchen with a dining/living area, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. |
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| Don’t miss the opportunity to acquire a residence of Venetian architecture located in the picturesque and ideally located village of Spili.The property consists of two old stone houses within a large courtyard surrounded by an original stone wall. Additionally, there is a plot of 242 sq.m directly next to the renovation which is included in the sale making the total area of the property approximately 600 sq.m. |
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