Greek traditional Pastitsio.

Can’t get any more Greek than that… 3 main steps to a delicious pastitsio

Serves:  a medium oven tray Preparation time: 40m Cooking time: 40m Ready in: 1h 25m

Ingredients
For pastitsio
500g. thick macaroni
3 tsp. tablespoons olive oil
3 egg yolks
1 tsp. tablespoons of butter
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cup cheese, and / or Parmesan, grated
¼ tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
salt
     For the meat sauce
750g. minced beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 ½ cup tomato juice concentrate
1/3 cup red wine
1/3 cup olive oil
1 cinnamon stick
salt and pepper
   For the sauce
8 tsp. tablespoons butter
8 tsp. flour for all uses
1½ liter of milk, warm
3 egg yolks
½ cup grated cheese
Salt and white pepper
Preparation method
Prepare the meat
step 1
Put the mince  in medium pot over medium heat and with a wooden spoon  “crush” to let the fluids  stand completely. Stir with the mince the onion and garlic, and again stirl and add the olive oil.
step 2
Saute until the mixture begins to stick to the bottom of the pan and finish with the wine. Add the tomato juice, cinnamon, salt and pepper and let the sauce simmer for 30-35 minutes until it thickens.
Prepare spaghetti
step 1
Boil in a saucepan 1 1/2 liter of water and add 1 tsp. teaspoon salt. Put the pasta in the pot and cook for 6-7 minutes. Drain and toss with olive oil until well smeared and dont stick together. Beat the egg whites, add the pasta and stir in well.
Prepare the sauce
step 1
In a medium saucepan melt the butter and add the flour. Stir constantly with a whisk until the flour gets a little color and remove from fire. Keep 2-3 tablespoons of lukewarm milk, to mix with the egg yolks and add the rest to the saucepan, stirring constantly with wire, to prevent clotting.
step 2
Put the pan back on low heat and let simmer, stirring constantly until thickened. Turn off the heat and allow to cool. Mix the egg yolks with 2-3 tablespoons of  the milk that you keep cool and just a little cream, add them. Season to taste and stir well to unite the egg cream. Finally add the grated cheese and stir well.
Prepare pastitsio
step 1
Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Butter a medium oven tray and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Lay in the tray half of the pasta, sprinkle with 5-6 tsp. grated cheese and pure all the sauce over the meat. Sprinkle with some cheese again and pure evenly over the remaining macaroni.
step 2
Spread over the spaghetti sauce and sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake the pastitsio for 40-45 minutes, until it gets golden.

Source: Olive magazine
Chef: Georgia Kofina
Photo: Vangelis Paterakis
Food Styling: Antonia Kati

A underwater wedding in the Cretan sea!!

Two years ago Zahara from South Africa met the woman of his dreams, Renata, from Hungary. Their love of diving brought them closer so they decided to get married under the Cretan sea at Kalypso Cretan village on the southwest of Crete, in the area of Plakias!!

(Source:Cretapost)

Athens Marathon 2014: Call For Volunteer Music Bands, Musicians To Support Runners

The organizing committee of the “Athens Marathon. The Authentic” has put out a call for volunteer music bands and individual musicians to give rhythm and support to the runners of the 32nd marathon event.
On 9 November 2014, all eyes will be on Athens and the 32rd Athens Marathon, on the original course of 42,195m from Marathonas to the Panathinaikon Stadium. The participating runners from all over the world are asked to try their best, reaching in many cases the ultimate of their human will and resources.
Bands and musicians are invited to offer their volunteer support and be present somewhere along the Marathon course or in Athens center and create a festive mood for participants and spectators of the event.
“Besides the purely sport aspect of the Athens Marathon event, this is a city celebration in which everyone plays his part encouraging the runners, applauding, cheering, dancing and singing,” the organizing committee said.
The call is open for amateur music bands, school music groups, municipal philharmonic groups, individual musicians, dancing groups and others.
Those interested can contact Dimitris Kondylis (Athens Marathon Music Project Manger, +30 210 9657947, +30 6973 032425) to learn how and where they may participate in the initiative.
GTP is the main tourism communication sponsor for the Athens Marathon. Τhe Authentic.
(Source:gtp)

UK Travel Agents Have Faith In Greece As A Destination

Greece’s significant tourism growth was discussed in a meeting in London on Friday 31 October between Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and the chairman of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), Noel Josephides.

GNTO General Secretary Panos Livadas, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and ABTA Chairman Noel Josephides. Photo source: Greek Tourism Ministry

Mrs. Kefalogianni is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom to attend the World Travel Market (WTM) 2014 that will open on 3 November at ExCeL London.
During the meeting it was underlined that Greece has managed to become a priority destination for British tourism professionals.
Both sides agreed that attractive travel packages to Greece can be offered to British travelers, considering the variety of tourism forms the country has developed. Key factors also include the improvements made to Greece’s infrastructure and to the quality of offered services to tourists.
On his part, ABTA’s chairman informed Mrs. Kefalogianni that British travel agents realized Greece’s tourism upgrade and for this reason selected the country to host the ABTA 2015 Travel Convention.
The fact that the convention will be held in Greece is considered a vote of confidence to Greece from the UK tourism market, an announcement by the Greek Tourism Ministry read.
The ABTA Travel Convention is considered a top tourism event and is expected to attract over 600 British travel agents/ABTA members and representatives of Internet companies Google, Yahoo, Tripadvisor and travel writers of leading British publications. The convention will take place at Costa Navarino, a luxury coastal resort complex in Messinia (Peloponnese), from 12-14 October.
According to Mr. Josephides, Greece has attracted the interest of the British travel agents, something that is expected to show during next year’s tourism season.
(Source:GTP)

Greece’s weirdest superstitions!

Many of the superstitions that were passed on to modern Greeks by the previous generations became part of the country’s folklor...
 
Superstitions are a fascinating part of a country’s culture, as they reveal many things about its past and the experiences of its people.
The belief in supernatural causality has a long history in Greece. Greek polytheists in antiquity, who modeled their relations with the gods on political and social terms, scorned those men who constantly trembled with fear at the thought of the gods, as the slaves fear their master.
However, in recent years, many of the superstitions that were passed on to modern Greeks by the previous generations became part of the country’s folklore and it is not uncommon to find superstitious Greeks even among the most educated parts of the population.
This is a list of the weirdest – for foreigners that is – Greek superstitions that you may find interesting.
Evil Eye
Known as “mati” in Greek, the evil eye is a curse believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, given to a person when they are unaware. Belief in the evil eye dates back to Classical antiquity.

Spitting
Strangely enough, some Greeks value their spittle as a charm against all evil. So if someone spits on you in Greece don’t be offended! Good luck is ensured!
The itchy hand
This superstition is common in a number of cultures. In Greece, if your right hand is itchy it indicates that you will receive money. If you’re left hand is itchy it indicates that you will give money.


The itchy nose
Another superstition about an itchy body part. Some Greeks believe that if you have an itchy nose, there’s a good chance you’ll get beaten.
The gift of perfume
In Greece it is customary that when you give someone a perfume as a gift, they must give you a coin in return. If they don’t do that your relationship may be at risk.
Knives
If you are invited to dinner by Greeks, never hand someone a knife. Set it down at the table and let them pick it up, or else you will get into a fight with that person.

Priests
Orthodox priests are revered in Greece. However, some people believe it a bad omen to see one walking in the street.

Salt
The Greeks have a secret weapon for getting rid of unwanted guests in their homes. They just sprinkle salt behind them and, a few minutes later, they are gone.
(Source:protothema)

“Visiting Crete in autumn can turn into a special holiday experience”

“Crete in autumn offers many other opportunities as well, not just at its beaches and sights, but also inland, at the forests and mountains. And that’s because the weather might be nice, but there’s definitely no heat wave, which means that it is easier to explore its exquisite nature, to hike, for example, at Psiloritis or the Samaria Gorge. Autumn in Crete does not fall short in comparison to summer. So, don’t hesitate to visit the island even this time of year!” - Visit Greece

Visit Greece, the official tourism web site for Greece, informs travelers through its #fallforcrete campaign.

Amphipolis Burial Site Excavation Video Released

Footage from the excavation of the large burial mound in Amphipolis, northern Greece, which until now has unearthed Caryatid statues, sphinxes and an impressive mosaic floor, has been released online.
The short video, released by the Greek Culture Ministry, specifically shows the moment the mosaic floor was revealed in its entirety, showing a depiction of the Abduction of Persephone by Pluto.
Other recent finds from the excavation include fragments of the wings of the Sphinxes, part of the neck of the second Sphinx and pieces that match the missing section of the mosaic floor.
In addition, the culture ministry released the following photos of the fragments of the wings of the Sphinxes.

According to an announcement, the fragments of the wings allow full restoration. The culture ministry has released the following drawing of proposed restoration by architect, M. Lefantzis.
(source: gtp)