By Margarette Tustle
Throw A Greek Themed Dinner Party!
Dinner parties are a great way to show your friends how much you appreciate them. Your Greek dinner party will have rich foods, such as olive tapenade, Mediterranean decorations, as well as Greek background music. There are two olive tapenade recipes included, other Mediterranean food recipes to compliment this Greek staple, and some simple decorations for you to use. Olive tapenade reflects the culture. The other food suggestions listed will compliment the olive tapenade flavor. The details are up to you and your imagination. The suggestions listed below are guides for you to follow, but a Greek dinner party should be based on the menu.
Greek Décor
What thoughts and images slip into your mind when you think of Greece? If you have never been there, look at some online websites, Greek books at the book store, or even photographs. Use the colors of the Greek flag (white and blue), or use bright Mediterranean hues (yellows, pinks, turquoise). You can also utilize the food (olive tapenade, grape leaves, and eggplant) as the primary colors on a white table cloth. Don’t forget place cards, napkins, and flowers!
Flavors To Delight The Mouth!
The menu will be the focus and key ingredient of your Greek dinner party. Olive tapenade is easy to make, and a unique Greek recipe to its culture and flavor.
1. Plain olive tapenade spread (recipe taken from Laura Werlin’s “The New American Cheese”)
Olive tapenade ingredients: 20 Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped; 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; 2 tsp olive oil; 1 tbsp rinsed, drained, and chopped cappers; ½ tsp anchovy paste-optional to your liking; and fresh cracked black pepper.
Olive tapenade instructions: Mix all of the above ingredients together well. Refrigerate. Use the spread within two weeks of making it.
2. Tapenade spread stuffed figs (recipe taken from Sam Gugino’s “Cooking to Beat the Clock”)
Ingredients required: 2 tsp capers; 1 anchovy fillet; 15 oil-cured black pitted olives; 1 tsp thyme; ¼ tsp dried thyme; 2 tsp olive oil; and 12 small, ripe Mission figs.
Instructions: Puree the olives, anchovy, thyme, and capers in a food processor (or chop by hand). Slit the side of each fig and spoon about 1/3 tsp of the olive tapenade mixture into the fig. Pinch closed the opening.
Other Greek flavors that compliment the olive tapenade are lemon, seafood, lamb, eggplant, and honey. Menu suggestions to guide you: roasted eggplant dip with pita wedges; lentil soup; stuffed grape leaves; hummus with pita wedges; or even feta cheese with olive spread toast. Look online or in Greek cookbooks for sample recipes and complimentary combinations.
The Music And The Invitation
Buy cds that reflect the Greek culture, or hire a small band. Pick out a cute olive or Greek themed invitation. Hand deliver a small piece of paper with the tapenade recipe on it connected to a tiny bottle of olive oil.
Start the planning process early for the recipes, décor, and music to ensure your party is a Greek success!
Author Margarette Tustle. Read more resources on olives and olive oil on lolives.com
