The Island Cooking of Crete

Crete is Greece's largest island. It was here that researchers first documented the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. In this brief look at their way of cooking you will be struck by the widespread use of leafy greens and other vegetables. The Culinary Institute of America, in association with Unilever Foodsolutions, presents "Savoring the Best of World Flavors." - John Barkley
Download recipes from the DVD at: www.ciaprochef.com/WCA5/index....

[@stuross6376]

Small coastal towns in Crete are fantastic for food and culture. It is so easy to fall into the lifestyle. As an Englishman who is used to 3 meals a day (usually all with meat), I, without noticing, mostly lived off fresh bread, yoghurt,thyme honey and fruit and veg. The quality of the bread, fruit and veg is the best I have had. I would score this Island very highly for the quality of produce coupled with the simple recipes.

[@sluiceboyprospecting]

I am so proud to be Cretan! My papou was a famous musician from spilt. His name was giorgios kalogridis 🇬🇷

[@TheAmeritakis]

ohhh wow that's amazing. me too! add me on Instagram: @ispyandros

[@sherellemiller1096]

After visiting Crete on our honeymoon, we dream about going back! The food reflects the beauty of the landscape. I cannot wait to go back

[@jackh4720]

I was born in New York my parents are from Crete and I consider myself cretan and proud best Greek island period

[@Gyneco-Phobia]

@@jackh4720 In Greece, we aren't divided in subcategories. We're all one, we're all Greeks. You're a Greek from Crete. I'm a Greek from Thessaloniki etc. Just trying to inform you about our situation, since you were born in New York and I assume you don't have extensive knowledge of Greece. In short, the term "Greek" always goes first, even before religion, in case you're Christian. There's nothing holier and more glorious than the single fact of being a Greek. No religion, no particular birthplace can surpass it. Be proud wherever you are at the moment. "Greekness" is a gift by Zeus himself to his loyal people.

[@ChillakoC92]

Eat seasonal, eat fresh, drink wine, reduce meat and stress. That's the secret of the traditional greek diet.

[@paulamaloney1898]

Every one all over the world drinks wine fella it's not greek it's global culture more cows are there now than years ago it no meat that is propaganda western propaganda rubbish it's part of the west agenda fake news lies as always nothing more than that from Marcus in australia no comment needed or like.

[@lozgod]

I’ve visited there. They eat a lot more meat than videos like these lead on. They eat lots of organ meats. They aren’t eating beans as their main protein like everyone tries to make the public believe. They also smoke at a high rate as well but no one seems to mention that.

[@nihil_hd1598]

@@lozgod its about food ,thats why

[@lozgod]

@@nihil_hd1598 of course. I meant in general regarding the Mediterranean lifespan.

[@nihil_hd1598]

@@lozgod yeah but u only eat a lot of meat in the streets as fast food or at a restaurant but not that much at home.sadly the meat dishes are pur best dishes lol

[@denisplouffe514]

I’ve travelled in various parts of Greece, however Crete in my favourite because of the people and food. 🇨🇦🇬🇷

[@madeleine5313]

I have so many fond memories of Crete. Such a beautiful place! I loved Greek mythology as a child. Devoured all the stories! I feel like I have piece of Greece in my heart 🇬🇷

[@Ptolemy336VV]

Keep it up Greece! You will get out of all the problems. I am sure. There is no country like Greece, with it's incredible history, cuisine, people and it's incredible beauties. We all support you and we know you will shine again like you always have done! When you think about Europe and the western civilization that covers about 60% of the world, it's light and core is Greece!

[@madgreek68]

Good on you brother,thanks for the positive support:)

[@Discovios]

Very nice!!!

[@valadisarvanitakhs6451]

ty my brother ty

[@paullangford8179]

Keep voting for politicians who promise the earth, and borrow to deliver it! Like Argentina or Venezuela.

[@starrynight8007]

@@paullangford8179 Truth.

[@Emeraldisle4ever]

'Greece' is a truely Beautiful Country and god bless this Extraordinary place, best wishes from the Country of ' Ireland ' .

[@regularjohn6803]

Thankyou Ireland.. Ireland too is beautiful and a long great history as well

[@kally91wph]

Emeraldisle4ever ahhh i truly love Ireland. I lived in Belfast for one year, and tried to visit as many places as I could... It is just a truly beautiful country...Love from Greece!

[@georgcorfu]

Thank you!

[@saladvolcano3103]

'Wonderful , ' .

[@tebv4144]

olives, bread, olive oil, rosemary, and sea-salt plus some red wine on a hot summer night. I can't think of anything that can beat that!

[@ReplayButtonMolester]

Ouzo, enough said.

[@georgiaa6558]

A John Doe inykopgjird

[@georgiaa6558]

John Doe rud

[@paullangford8179]

Trevally sashimi with soy sauce and wasabi.

[@olivefarmer3491]

@@ReplayButtonMolester Raki, not Ouzo in Crete

[@krugmeister7301]

...Love Food from Greece...

[@amycrunch3812]

They have aromas not found elsewhere and eating out is always at the feet of the Med.

[@giuseppelogiurato5718]

There are many things that are similar and many things that are different between Greek and Italian kitchens; the one thing that I believe is exactly the same is that everyone's Yaya/Nonna/Grandma is the undisputed BOSS of the food... Have you ever seen 12 grandmas fight amongst themselves in a home kitchen? It's not going to happen. (Don't get me wrong, they get along and cook nicely together at church, but their private home kitchens and their family recipes are a different story)... It's totally possible that Grandma might not talk to Auntie for 3 weeks because they got into a battle about how to properly load the dishwasher; can you imagine the chaos of more than one "Chef-Grandma" per kitchen? Heads would roll and the family would dissolve!

[@saundrac9]

Beautiful, my husband and I would love to move there, beautiful country.

[@stayrospaparunas3062]

For me if u want to move in Crete,choose a village n buy some olive trees to ve your oil...i m from Crete so keep my suggestion.

[@tulaa.4545]

Love Crete 💙❤💚💛 Was in Chania last Sept. 2018. Their food is so tasty !! The rusks ( paksimadia ) are used in the tomato salad with goat cheese in the salad. It is to die for! 💚💛❤💖

[@amycrunch3812]

Greek salad is extraordinary.

[@costa2150]

I was there in Sept 2018 also 👍👍👍

[@mrzed2349]

Greeks are such sweet people

[@dunlopgp10]

Except when you are driving in traffic with them

[@donarmando916]

This is great and will hopefully stay like that for a long time to come. Crete is wonderful.

[@aidaadomian3958]

Most Magnificent Country I've been in Crete island xania village sweet friendly atmosphere wow missed them really I would l8ke to visit again...love u Create Xania people

[@codyneds3060]

Greek island food reminds me of floridas cooking in the keys. Much love greece 🇬🇷🇺🇸

[@adventure002006]

Beautiful Island, beautiful people producing beautiful, nourishing healthy food.

[@user-df9vy8xm1h]

As a Cretan I want to thank you about this beautiful video and I want to call you to visit the eastern side of Creta ( Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra and Sitia )

[@costa2150]

Yes, I rented a car in Fall 2018 and drove the whole island. The eastern parts, especially the east-southeast was beautiful, and the people were wonderful.

[@joy9073]

It a shame to see that 94 people didn't like anything about Crete. I really wonna know why. Κρήτη αγαπημένη, με τους λεβέντες σου και τις κοπελιές σου να είσαι πάντα καλά.

[@wandaelkourie8159]

Eftychia Agapiou they just don’t understand. Lived there in the 70 s and 80s husband was American Air Force. We loved everything about Crete. The food, the people, the waters.

[@fredgrove4220]

My favourite place on Crete is a small town/village called Kato Gouves, about 20 minutes from Heraklion . as far as I am concerned it is as close to heaven as i have ever experienced.

[@amycrunch3812]

It's definitely the island of the gods.

[@hediyehh5391]

I love crete! best people ever!

[@liana5139]

The beauty of simplicity. This is Greece even in its food. Excellent food, not because of complicated cooking recipes, but because of the excellent quality of the ingredients, which are prepared with a lot of love.

[@underthenorthernstar]

Wonderful piece. Loved every minute

[@margaretginty6611]

Excellent film on food of Crete, well presented with good examples

[@patricemarie2960]

........... Oh the scents ..... freshness! ..... luscious taste of Greek's food culture! .... Dynamite sharing! ....... .

[@cambo6911]

7:38 A most excellent presentation by George, very well-spoken and informative.

[@tonyheper]

Following up on the comment of Ptolemy336vv, made six years ago......so on July 12, 2020, some six years later, Greece is doing well and it is a very pleasant place to visit. But for COVID-19, Greece would have been even more pleasant and joyful. I plan to buy a house overlooking the water near Chania, Crete and enjoy year around warm summers and mild winters and enjoy wonderful Cretan hospitality.

[@dotsyjmaher]

I am American but thanks to Theia Antonia..I make FABULOUS dolmas...

[@GIANNHSANOPOLIS]

greetings from crete

[@TheMrDarksouls]

Would love to visit Crete one day 🛫

[@44onthego]

Going to Crete in 2 weeks 4/18/2024

[@KretaTV]

A wonderful Island

[@costa2150]

If you have the means, Crete delivers a wonderful travel experience. If you can only visit one town for a short stay, I recommend Chania. But, really, go big and rent a car and drive the island over a few weeks. The topography and coastline will blow your socks off, let alone the hospitality and food. Pack swim goggles too.

[@christinebourolias8849]

Magnificent video. Love the food of Crete and the markets.

[@Radda001]

Thanks for sharing your good ways, to cook and appreciate traditional Greek Foods ...

[@misst.e.a.187]

Love Crete. I used to visit twice a year and stay at a Cretan friend's pension (she always gave me room no.8). It's a beautiful and rugged island with the same climate at Sicily.

[@andyrockevo]

Dictamo grows only in Crete but Sage grows everywhere in Hellas..Specially in Macedonia and Thrace!

[@Irene-iu9sj]

Not exactly the same .even"mountain tee"is different.

[@leelaarocho1530]

Love this, need some recipes, for health purposes for my spouse! Thanks for sharing your beautiful heart with me!

[@jacobeksor6088]

I am Montagnard jarai indigenous live in United States hope one day I will travel to Grete the food looks good .

[@Luka1180]

My favorite cheese of all time, mizithra, originated on Crete. It is basically a special vairant of feta/goat cheee that's much softer and saltier too, as well as better tasting in my opinion. And it tastes so good when you melt it. However, if you ever get hold of it and try to melt it, and it just burns like regular feta, just melt it with a "double boiler," meaning put it in a bowl over steam, but remember to add a bit of milk to it, or it won't become a cheese sauce but probably just burn a bit like before. Melted mizithra tastes amazing when poured over meat skewers :D

[@evanr1784]

Italians have it too ,they call it ricotta

[@lakey1313]

Great video! Good job!

[@deborahlanemcguire4315]

Crete is on my bucket list--and after watching this video, I'm even more intrigued.

[@costa2150]

Did you go yet?

[@MariaAya]

So proud i'm from Crete

[@iro354]

Υπεροχο video, απολυτως αντιπροσωπευτικο για την Κρητικη κουζινα! Πολλα μπραβο σ'αυτους που το γυρισαν!

[@thezinepin]

@5:27: that is a Roti Prata (we call it Roti Prata in Singapore). Except we fill it with onions, eggs or mutton or whatever you like. Then it's grilled/heated to a crispy pancake-style. Served with curry dip.

[@biancahotca3244]

This reminds me very much of our traditional Romanian cuisine. It's pure eating, pure living and working hard, but in the end it's so worth it.

[@TriNguyen-zf3pp]

Great video

[@ritabos8201]

Beautifull

[@cambo6911]

5:47 Daaaaaang! ❤ I gotta get to Greece, Ikaria island preferably but I would certainly love to spend time in Crete, what a magnificent region!

[@goodboybuddy1]

Awesome! I particularly loved the olive oil guy. But, it was all great. Thanks.

[@harrylen1688]

Talking about a known cooks are many of them are the finest :) Nothing they brag about it's about tradition with amazing skilling technics!

[@smb804]

I was stationed there in the Air Force in the 1970's. I loved the place, but wish I had taken more advantage of the local cuisine other than an occasional meal off the base.

[@wandaelkourie8159]

We were there also , for two tours. We still cook and eat Greek And Lebanese foods. Great food

[@micheladerry5681]

go back there now...

[@MAShalaby777]

It seems so delicious and so good ...

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

So beautiful 🌱🌸🌎

[@AsWeSpeak154]

Love this video. Food looks so delicious and I just ate. :)

[@syedadeelhussain2691]

Delicious Greek Coffee.

[@SuperWilster]

Love Crete (and it's food..and people...and language) :-) Perhaps because my wife is from Crete and will kill me deader than hell if I don't say stuff like that :-D

[@CoCoLuckyKitchen]

William Handley hahaha!!

[@ReplayButtonMolester]

Your married a woman from Crete, so your words are true.

[@strll3048]

My highest respects to your honorable lady wife! ;-)

[@deborahlanemcguire4315]

Hahaha! Smart man!

[@lovelyfish8053]

Beautiful

[@mikemaybury7497]

The basics of a healthy longevity are found here, as well as in Okinawa and Adventists in California. They use common ingredients, plenty of fresh vegetables and herbs with limited content of animal foods usually.

[@brettbodie1576]

You're probably a vegetarian imposing your own bias however they eat fish, lamb or poultry every day.

[@vlospaP]

@@brettbodie1576 cretans and generally greeks eat meat BUT Rarerly fried. ( grilled, oven)in the oven usually cooked together with the vegetables so everything is connected. P. S almost forgot, WINE 🍷 red/white/roze doesn't matter just drink it with the meal and socialize

[@HoneyToastMilk]

bravo!

[@Pgschool37]

I would love to try all of these foods.

[@GIANNHSANOPOLIS]

GREETING FROM CRETE.......NICE VIDEO

[@goonerdotcom]

hey can you tell me please, when he says instead of baking you can fry the smaller pies, in what oil they are fried in? Seems a stud question with all that olive oil around but just checking to be sure. Thanks ! Greeting from Canada !!!

[@shechshire]

+goonerdotcom They use regular olive oil or light olive oil. I happen to know that they specifically like the Koroneiki olive variety for frying. I'm Cuban, my mom cooks everything in olive oil, being from Spanish desendance & all of course. You gotta fry in regular or light because vergin & extra vergin burn too quickly

[@amycrunch3812]

Yasas!

[@captainjim1010]

12:22 I didn't know Tony Soprano opened a restaurant in Crete

[@kritikosak5247]

😂

[@LORENA-wq3vm]

I’d move back there in a heartbeat!

[@Filmaffen]

This video presentation is very nicely done by you ... *I liked to see the video and raise the thumb 1.004 far up !* ... I wish you and all your loved ones a pleasant week and send a sunny smile ; )) from Germany from *" Eddy "*

[@iwn.4154]

great tasty video :) happy 2022

[@Paraglidecrete]

in fact , the Island Cooking of Crete is just much less cooking ! I came across the theory that olive oil due to polyunsaturated 24 acid insulates the neurons and makes them transmit many times faster than neurons who get the acid not from olive oil but is produced in the liver, maybe an explanation for creative pro human civilazations vs producing ones ;-)

[@paullangford8179]

Another theory is that having an unnaturally high level of polyunsaturated fats and oils in the diet affects the cholesterol that insulates the nerves. This explains why Americans have been crazy since the 1970's ... Or was it the trans fats in margarine made from hydrogenated vegetable oils?

[@slodak1069]

Bougatsa is Love, Bougatsa is Life.

[@arifali6762]

Lovely

[@nancypersoglio9836]

So delicious!😋

[@kyotoflavor9359]

Nice Video

[@deannmandas2976]

3:37 Fresh Malaka for filling pies? That's new.

[@Irene-iu9sj]

Πιστεύω ότι λέει τη μυζήθρα, πού δεν είναι τό ίδιο Με τον ανθότυρο.αθοτυρο λέω εγώ μωρέ, εσύ με διορθώνεις ανθότυρο.......

[@vleontis8940]

Η μαλακα είναι φρέσκο τυρί και πολύ μαλακό που χρησιμοποιείται μόνο για μαγειρική. Δηλαδή δεν το τρώνε ως τυρί ή επιδόρπιο όπως τρώνε άλλα τυριά , π.χ. Τον ανθότυρο ή την τοπική κεφαλογραβιέρα που τρώγεται με μέλι ή σκέτο. Η μαλακα ζυμώνεται εύκολα με άλλα υλικά και γεμίζουν με αυτό διάφορες πίτες.

[@georgcorfu]

2.47 Sage doesn't grow only in Crete, it grows all over Greece.

[@pjdoxopoulos]

dat cheese @ 3:36

[@elpalais5105]

And for some other type of special trees too! ;)

[@DREAMSANDSOUL]

You should always eat regional, seasonal, fresh and organic food - no matter where you live. Little meat, a lot of vegetables, fruit, spices and any produce of nature. Cooking yourself is key as processed food includes too many chemicals, sugar, salt and/or glutamate. Decent amount of physical work, an inner philosophy of enjoying life and not taking oneself too serious completes the picture.

[@rickloginname]

I like this video

[@popov1990]

hmmmm lamb head in Crete is so good and souvlaki too mmmm

[@JS-vw2gg]

Wow. I want to visit you guys only to taste food.

[@TwoPartyIllusion]

is there a link to import some of that wheel crushed olive oil from the island? I'd love to purchase some!

[@TwoPartyIllusion]

I found it!! biolea.gr/

[@lavolpe6965]

moderate amount of wine and raki? please be honest...

[@LalehanLale]

not rakı but uzo...

[@SSSS-qw3mk]

Lalehan Lale ouzo and raki are 2 different things its like u compare Whisky with Vodka and in Crete they drink raki

[@ememudoh4852]

... Moderate amount of meat ??? Goat meat is everywhere! The vegetarian agenda is strong in this video

[@eleni1854]

Yeah, and moderate meat? Come on!

[@vizviros]

@@SSSS-qw3mk In Crete they drink Tsikoudia, raki is a Turkish word for a similar spirit....

[@happygirl7258]

What is the best Greek olive oil to purchase ? We’ve been looking and looking

[@konstantinosfasouletos7773]

Fresh malaka !!! woooop

[@tragos13gr]

είναι κατηγορία τυριού, που φτιάχνεται στην Κρήτη.

[@panosa7789]

Hahahahaha did the cheese guy mess with him?

[@VR_family3773]

living in London,honestly i miss my country

[@pianopractice1521]

Where rosemary was not mentioned?

[@sinan6713]

I thought it was seafood based but it is much more based on fresh plants, good amount of olive oil and dairy.

[@SpartanLeonidas1821]

Lots of Seafood too!

[@wejcynp8943]

nice

[@irishfield1]

Tops ever LOve Crete so much ..........topssssssssss

[@shadowblade335]

im jealous they get to travel and eat=(

[@SpartanLeonidas1821]

Glad you enjoyed the Malaka...MALAKA!!

[@JacqBLUEjay]

ohhhh I want to taste that cheesy thing.!

[@olivefarmer3491]

15 years organically farming olives in Sitia can only agree. It's the place to live.

[@nastalgiclectue]

What was that herb the owners were touting as a cure-all in the shop? I can't quite pick up the phonetic.

[@bitsos1]

Diktamo, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origanum_dictamnus

[@user-po6hn9id1t]

dittany

[@ericfricke4512]

"The Cretan diet consists of... small amounts of milk" *fills pie with like 3 pounds of goat cheese*

[@sluiceboyprospecting]

Eric Fricke and..?

[@micheladerry5681]

milk is bad for our health. This is what u wanted to know?

[@hel1nas]

i think you see the tree and lose the sight of the forest

[@hel1nas]

@@micheladerry5681 to know what ? and from whom?

[@dotsyjmaher]

😳🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@garagedancer122]

On my way over.

[@lacix22]

The best of the best

[@ilsrp1897]

"Rockerfeller medical research team were surprised to finds Cretans were healthier than Americans"; hilarious.

[@Adkonsta]

Fresh malaka!!! haha

[@carter3485]

What are 5 dishes that is extremely famous in Crete and home of Crete? I'd like to know from someone true to Crete as google leads me astray.

[@johnknatz781]

these are the people who raged havoc on the nazi’s and are known for their ability to traverse around the island like some sort of ultra running parkour mountain goat. christopher Mcdougall's book “natural born hero’s" seems to enjoy the notion that myths are a way of relaying facts; a point stressed in the book. I’m not saying the cretians don’t put up a good fight when it comes to occupiers, but i would stress familiarity of the harsh terrain and a few athletic outliers as their best defense. these people seem more fit for hibernation than a run; it seems more like the healthiest way to be fat.

[@willtherealgeorgemichaelpl5879]

Modern life has softened a once tough-ass people.

[@fo735]

alexander 323 konstantinos while these middle aged men look like they dont work out enough dont let their appearance fool you. they r still able to go to the fields and do hard work. cretan people are very big on living an active life. i lived there for 4 years and i was surprised by how everyone seems to make time to go to the gym or even a run or a swim. the weather is good almost all year round so people walk and swim a lot

[@karenbartlett1307]

Winston Churchill said it wasn't that Greeks fight like heroes, but "heroes fight like Greeks"!

[@mayagencheva8187]

Can we use any kind of olive oil for cooking?

[@mikesaroglou4999]

try to use good quality extra virgin olive oil