Greek fava with ouzo-flavored squid

What is fava?
Think of it as a creamy and super tasty hummus on “steroids”, both in nutrition and taste.
Along with squids cooked with ouzo, it is the perfect meal!
Enjoy with a nice glass of ouzo, raki, cold beer or cool white wine!

Serves: 6 Preparation time: 20′ Cooks in: 60′ Ready in: 1:20′

Ingredients

For the fava:
300g yellow split peas
1 onion, quartered
1 bay leaf
3½ lt water

For the squid:
400gr squid, cleaned, cut in rings
1 garlic clove
1 sprig fresh oregano, leaves finely chopped
1 sprig fresh marjoram, leaved finely chopped
1 tsp caper, rinsed
3 tbsp ouzo or other star anise based liquor
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
salt, freshly ground black pepper

Method

Step 1
Boil split peas in a pot with water for a minute until foamy. Drain and rinse under cold water. Then return to pot and cook with 3,5 lt water, onion and bay leaf skimming the foam when necessary. Add extra water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper 15 minutes before you remove pot from heat. When split peas are left with hardly any water discard bay leaf and whizz half quantity with onions until creamy. When cool, mix with the rest of fava. Brush with oil a medium-sized mould cake tin with a hole in the middle and lay the fava. Let cool completely.

Step 2
Meanwhile prepare squids. Put squid rings with garlic in a pot and in medium heat. Let squid release all juices, then simmer in low heat until absorbed. Then add oil and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in ouzo and let alcohol evaporate. Sprinkle with oregano and marjoram. Add a little water and allow squid to soften if necessary. Add caper and season with salt and pepper accordingly.

Step 3
Turn the cake mould upside down on a serving platter and scatter the squid in the hole and the rest on top and round the fava. Serve immediately with some sautéed cherry tomatoes and capers.

By: Georgia Kofina | 01.09.2017 | Meals, Mediterranean Cooking
Photo Vangelis Paterakis – Food styling: Antonia Kati

Greece Sees Jump in Tourist Arrivals, Revenue in June

Greece in June saw an increase in foreign arrivals and tourism revenue by 13 and 14.2 percent respectively compared to the same month last year, the Bank of Greece (BoG) said on Monday.

According to the data, tourism revenue last month increased to 2.046 billion euros against 1.792 billion euros in June 2016.

In the first half of the year, travel receipts amounted to 4,133,5 million euros from 3,840,9 million euros in the corresponding half of 2016.

BoG’s data showed that compared to the first half of 2016, foreign arrivals during the January-June 2017 period increased by 6.6 percent and and the corresponding tourism revenue by 7.1 percent.
(source:gtp)

Eleni and Giorgos

 Welcome to Plakias

We are here to help you.

On site or by telephone.

We look forward to hearing from you, to welcoming you and looking after you as our guest.

We will be happy to help and advise you to ensure that your stay is an unforgettable experience.

 Eleni - Giorgos
Suites Owners, Plakias


Plakias Suites is a family complex of 6 apartments that fits perfectly into the natural Cretan surroundings in one of the most attractive locations in southern Crete, the bay of Plakias.

 https://www.plakiassuites.com

A break down of the 10 Best Beaches on Crete (PHOTOS)

Endless choices for every taste!

 Crete is the largest island in Greece and its coastline of 1,046 km or 650 miles makes for some extraordinary beaches. 

With crystal clear waters and sand in a variety of colors, Crete’s beaches are unforgettable – in fact, this year of the 486 Blue Flag awarded beaches in Greece, 112 of the eco-labeled beaches are located on Crete! 

Let’s look at the top ten beaches on the Greek island of Crete.

 1. Elafonissi beach in Chania

This is the beach that you want to go to if you are into sparkling water and beautiful pink sand! Located on the southwestern side of Crete the beach has both soft white and pink sand and the coast is lined cedar trees. There are sunbeds and umbrellas available on part of the beach.

2. Balos beach in Chania

Located on the northwestern side of Crete, this beach gives you a view of the sea and an island with a Venetian Castle on top. There are many ways that you can reach this beach – either by car through a track road from Kissamos or by excursion boat from Chania Town and Kissamos.

3. Matala beach in Heraklion

Once known as a popular hippie destination in the 60’s and 70’s, this beach is now a popular family destination. Surrounded by caves where hippies once dwelled for months on end, there is much to explore and enjoy at this sandy beach!

4. Vai beach in Lassithi

Why not go to a beach that is surrounded by the largest palm tree forest in Europe while on Crete? This beach is surrounded by over 5,000 trees and offers clear blue water. This beach once was a free camping site but now in recent years free camping has been made prohibited.

5. Falassarna beach in Chania

Another beach on the west side of the island and close to Kissamos town, this beach offers many organized facilities and activities which makes it an ideal beach for families. Above the beach you can visit the archaeological site of Ancient Falassarna. Also there are many activities such as windsurfing which you can access from a windsurfing station at the beach during the summer months.

6. Plakias beach in Rethymno

Want to get away form it all? This beach is the perfect escape as it has a mellow atmosphere and sits just in front of the village. There is part of the beach where you can access umbrellas and sunbeds, or you can bring your own and enjoy this sandy beach.

7. Istro beach in Lassithi

While visiting the east of the island in the region of Lassithi, stop by and check out this beach located near the town of Agios Nikolaos. The large beach has golden sand and turquoise water – not to mention you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas.

8. Preveli beach in Rethymno

This beach is located in the south side of the prefecture of Rethymno and has a river which meets the sea and forms a lake! It’s a lovely beach that is surrounded by palm trees and offers activities such as exploring the lake. The beach itself has no organized facilities so bring your sunbeams, towels and umbrellas and dive in!

9. Rodakino beach in Rethymno

This beach is located on the southern side of Rethymno near the village of Plakias. The beach is sandy, large and does have some organized sunbeds for rent. Also, there are some seaside tavernas and apartments which surround this beach.

10. Tymbaki beach in Heraklion

This beach is large and has both sand and pebbles and is also known as Kokkinos Pyros. You can pass the entire day at this beach! It is complete with an organized section in case you want to rent sunbeds and umbrellas, not to mention this beach also has few seaside tavernas serving up local dishes!
Source

First sea turtles arrive in Crete for the season

Archelon volunteers move nests to more safe place

 After a long wait, tireless effort and patience researchers from ARCHELON, the sea turtle rescue centre in Rethymnon, the first nest of the sea turtle for 2017 was recorded in the Sfakaki area in Crete.

The volunteers’ daily routine involved waking up at the break of dawn to check the state of the spawning beaches and to identify any sea turtle traces leading to nests.

The first nest was finally located in Rethymnon on the beach of Sfakaki. 

 Due to the erosion of the beach at the area, which led to a diminished space for the turtles’ nests, the volunteers transferred them to more secure places.

Spiegel: 3 million Germans to visit Greece

 Magazine invites Germans to holiday in Greece in lauding article

Three million Germans will visit Greece for summer, according to a report by German magazine Spiegel.

In an article full of praise for Greece, the magazine writes that the number of Germans to the Mediterranean country is expected to be 1 million more than last season.

 “My sea, my sky, my culture, oh Greece! For another year the white and blue colours will enthuse millions of visitors”, writes the magazine lauding the beauties of Greece.

 “This is where the journey to the most beautiful islands, the serene villages and the special locations will start.”

The piece urges even more Germans to choose Greece as their holiday destination, pointing out the love that exists between Greeks and Germans.

Greek Tourism Makes News in the Economist

 Greece may be expecting a record breaking 30 million tourists this year, but the Economist is saying that convincing them to dig deeper into their pockets will be the challenge ahead.

Under the title “Kalo Taxidi! Greek Tourism” (Bon Voyage), the Economist says Greece is set to welcome more travelers from the UK, Russia and Germany,  at top destinations including Mykonos and Santorini.

 The magazine goes on to refer to friendlier prices at “hot” destinations like Corfu and Crete, compared to rival destination Spain, and adds that vacationers are now opting to stay fewer nights and consume less compared to 12 years ago.

The London-based weekly magazine underlines the potential of Greek tourism, attributing in great part even further growth to the Fraport’s  management of 14 regional airports.