Mousaka: A greek cuisine special.

We could say that mousaka is the most iconic Greek specialty dish. It contains all the vital vegetables iconic of the Greek summer and is so delicious that you have to try it at least once during your vacation in Chania. Fried sliced potatoes, fried sliced eggplant, minced meat, and Greek herbs are altogether inserted in the oven in a dish with a lush topping of Mornay sauce. 

Pastitsio: An all time clasic.

Equal as famous and equal as tasty comes Pastitsio. It is a Greek Cuisine special that is also indicative of Greek summer. It also contains minced meat, mornay sauce, and spaghetti which are all baked in the oven for the perfect and balanced summer food special. 

Pastitsio is a lighter alternative for those who like to avoid fatty foods while on vacation as it contains no fried raw vegetables while being very tasty and a traditional Greek Cuisine meal that tourists love.

The expected greek cuisine specials.

Many of our guests who are having their dinner in Chania by us have already known some famous Greek dishes. Their popularity is widely recognized as they are easy to make and super tasty, indicative of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.

Gemista- Stuffed vegetables is one of them as it contains ingredients widely available during the Greek summer season and is a very balanced meal while providing you with all the necessary nutrients for the whole day. 

Cretan Dakos may be for many who are seeking a dinner in Chania a starter meal but many of the guests’ reviews have stated that it can easily be a full course. With its carbohydrates (Cretan rusk), its healthy fat due to the mizithra cheese and with fresh ingredients of Greek countryside it provides you with a light meal option that many love.

Greek Salad: A food with many variations. 

Salads are always an all-time classic. We have already talked about the Cretan Salad and its close derivative is the famous Greek Salad. Colorful, tasty, fresh, and nutritional it’s a favorite side dish- or even a main course- for many. Greek salad may be the most recognized food of Greek Cuisine, and for a good reason as it complements all the other foods that you may come across on your vacations. 

Greek Cuisine: Don’t forget greek pastry and Desserts!

A good meal in a greek restaurant not only contains the greek specialities that we already talked about but also a good dinner has to do with the desserts that come after the main course.

Greek cuisine has a lot of traditional desserts that we, at Olive Tree Restaurant in Platanias are insisting that you try. They are healthy, made with original and pure ingredients, and can elevate your dinner.

We recommend that you seek and try Greek Halva which the main ingredient is sesame seeds. Sweet, balanced and healthy it can complement your Mediterranean or Greek cuisine experience as it provides you with the necessary sugars and energy while being a healthy option without the presence of additives and colorings.

Cretan and Greek Cuisine: A strong bond.

Crete and Greece have a lot of common dishes and food and desserts that you will absolutely love. In addition, Cretan cuisine also has some specialty dishes, herbs, endemic flora, agricultural production, and desserts that we especially talked about on our food blog. We recommend that you learn about Greek and Cretan food culture, as well as visit our sea-view restaurant in Platanias and taste for yourself the delicacies our country has to offer you. 

We are a Cretan cuisine restaurant and especially in the summer months many of our guests who are enjoying a meal in Chania are choosing Cretan salad as their main course. After all, it’s a complete and balanced food option that can supply you with the necessary energy for your whole day while on vacation in Crete. Many Cretan restaurants are using inspiring ingredients for their Cretan Salads, and here are the top 4 ingredients to elevate the taste of your Cretan salad either at your home or in order to have it as a special request meal while on vacation in Crete.

Best Cretan Cuisine Restaurant’s favorite: Mizithra.

  Our restaurant in Platanias has a big affection for Cretan dairy products. Mizhthra soft cheese is one of them and it is commonly used by many restaurants on salads. Being lightweight and nutritional it perfectly complements and elevates the salads while adding less fat compared to other cheese. Mizithra is a soft white cheese that is traditional produced in Crete and especially in the mountainous areas that tourists on vacation in Chania love to hike. It gives all salads the necessary fats and the creamy texture all of our guest’s TripAdvisor reviews love. 

 Olives: A Cretan Cuisine favorite.

  All restaurants that specialize in Cretan cuisine are incorporating the use of olives and olive oil on their dishes. Olives are the treasure of Cretan gastronomy and it is also the main agricultural product of our island. It suffices to say that most Cretan dishes are using olive oil extensively and on a daily basis. Many variations of the Cretan salad also incorporate olives on Cretan salads. 

 Cretan Olives may be uses in various forms. Cretan cuisine restaurants are using them in raw form after they mature them in brine or in salt and can be consumed as a whole after removing the kernel. Another creative way of consuming olives on Cretan salad is in shredded form without the kernel.

This is something many of our guests who are on vacation in Chania are loving in our restaurant, as they are having no stress consuming olives in a processed manner without having any anguish or difficulty on removing the kernels.

Caper: Adding spiciness to your Cretan salad.

Caper is a plant whose seeds are used extensively in Cretan Cuisine. Both taverns and restaurants are using caper seeds in order to add flavor, color, and spiciness to many of their Cretan delicacies. Caper has a distinctive earthy texture and also a special spicy taste which most guests of the restaurants in Chania are loving. Caper is to be consumed as a whole as it contains no big seeds or kernels and it definitely compliments the taste of olive oil and mizithra which we already talked about. 

Avocado: A new addition to many Cretan restaurants near you!

It may sound strange, but avocado is now a new addition to many traditional restaurants in Crete. Even on some traditional dishes, chefs have successfully incorporated avocado into their meals.

Crete has for years now a big and viable avocado production. Acres of cultivated avocado land are now established in Crete and especially in Chania. It is then normal for Cretan cuisine restaurants in Chania to use this -now Cretan- product. The microclimate of Crete is ideal for avocado production and it also has a distinctive taste when compared to its North America counterparts.

Avocado is used on Cretan salads as well as it successfully bonds all ingredients while having a natural earthy taste. It also provides us with the necessary healthy fats that make the Mediterranean diet so famous worldwide.

All of the above ingredients belong to Cretan Cuisine  and as of every year, we welcome you to taste and discover them in our beachfront restaurant in Chania. Having a delicious meal doesn’t always have to do with the number of Cretan dishes and recipes but also with the simplicity of dinner. Cretan salad is all about, simplicity, nutritional value, and health benefits. We invite you to discover it!

Oregano: A Cretan Gastronomy king.

Oregano is probably the most commonly used aromatic herb in Cretan Gastronomy. We could generally say that oregano is a popular herb not only in Cretan Cuisine, but also in the Mediterranean cuisine as well. Oregano is used in many Cretan gastronomy dishes such as dakos, cretan lamb, many Cretan barbecue preparations and much more.

It can be used in raw form, or it can also be used while sizzling in order to add a distinctive flavor to whatever you sizzle. You can use oregano in every Cretan gastronomy dish you can fancy, as it has a flavor that nearly everyone likes. You just need to be careful and use it in moderation, because if you overdo it it can make your dishes taste bitter.

Basil: A Cretan Cuisine all time classic.

Basil is a very famous aromatic plant used widely in Mediterranean cuisine. Cretan Cuisine is no exception as it uses basil as decoration in many Cretan dishes, or as a base in order to make fantastic dressings, or sauces. A very famous use of basil is on spaghetti. Basil paste sauce is a very famous sauce in spaghetti in combination with other Cretan ingredients such as garlic, onion and tomatoes. It also works as a nice edible decoration on many Cretan gastronomy restaurants as it gives a lively natural color to our beachfront restaurant’s dishes.

Rosemary: Ideal for meats of Cretan Cuisine.

Another authentic Mediterranean cuisine herb is Rosemary. It is commonly used as a preservative and also in order to induce flavors into the dish. It is an ideal herb used with meat, especially lamb, poultry and calf. It is also a good supplement for fried fish which Crete is also a proud producer due to its maritime and fishing tradition. It is a perfect aromatic herb for those occasions, while cooking with rosemary is vastly well known. It has a very strong and bitter taste and you need to be careful of the quantity in order to take advantage of its flavors and aromas.

Thyme: Α perfect herb’s supplement.

Thyme is another herb very famous in Cretan Cooking and Gastronomy. It has a very strong and distinctive taste which also bees love and prefer in order to make the famous Cretan thyme honey. Thyme is commonly used in Cretan Gastronomy in Pies and in many dishes that contain meat and poultry.

There are many chefs that make a herb combination with thyme. Thyme is commonly combined with basil and oregano as a perfect aromatic herb that compliments meat, poultry and fish and elevates their taste.

Grow herbs ideal for Cretan gastronomy in your garden.

While all the herbs are readily available in supermarkets we insist that you plant herbs that you mostly use in your cooking. Having fresh herbs in your kitchen or patio will give you the freshness you demand from your cooking and you can have a sense of accomplishment by cooking with your own ingredients as well. Especially herbs used in Cretan Cuisine like Basil or Oregano require minimum care and little space in order to supply you with the necessary quantity for cooking at home.

They can be also easily planted with seeds, or in the case of Basil you can also cut a small branch, leave it for some days in a glass full of water and then plant it in a small flower pot. Its free, its easy and you will have fresh aromatic herbs for your traditional Cretan food inspirations .

We have already talked about Cretan products and in this article we will inform you about 2 famous Cretan gastronomy summer dishes that you can make in your home. They will taste fantastic, they are easy to make, local products are being used- but first and foremost local healthy ingredients are being used in those recipes that for us, in Olive Tree Restaurant, resemble the Greek summer.

Cretan Gastronomy Restaurants : What nature has to offer.

When talking about Cretan food we are certain that we use ingredients readily available and healthy. We try to avoid fatty ingredients during the greek hot summer months as it is preferred to stay hydrated and eat light in order to be more comfortable and energetic during the day.

Summer in Crete has a lot to offer food wise as our rich soil is perfect for crop production. You may have seen that especially in the villages many locals are planting their garden with vegetables and fruits in order to have a fresh and healthy source of food. These ingredients are also paramount on dishes being made in reputable Cretan gastronomy restaurants. We are proud to be one of those traditional restaurants in  Chania region ,and we will reveal two of the most reputable Cretan gastronomy dishes for you to enjoy.

Gemista: A cretan gastronomy restaurant’s favourite.

Gemista is not only famous in Crete but also all over Greece. We could say that Gemista ( Greek Stuffed Vegetables in the Oven) is the No 1 famous dish of Cretan summer. Main ingredients are whatever vegetables you can find in your garden- or in the grocery shop. Most famous vegetables are tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes and whatever vegetable you can imagine that can be stuffed with filling. After we clean and scoop off the inside of our vegetables we mix the inside of the vegetables with rice while adding olive oil to the mix.

This is a very famous Cretan dish as it combines raw ingredients found in our garden with healthy olive oil, rice and aromatic herbs and ingredients such as garlic and parsley. While this food is delicious it is also very healthy as it is baked in the oven, and can be eaten cold- which makes it another excellent picnic food idea. Especially in Greece, most Greeks prefer to eat Gemista cold and is super famous as a -by the sea- food while being for a swim. It is also widely classified as the ultimate traditional family dish for many Greeks .

Boureki- Cretan Gastronomy Restaurants finest. Born in Chania.

A special food made exclusively in Chania is Boureki. Boureki is also found in many gastronomy restaurants in Chania where it is mostly known. It is also made with healthy ingredients from Cretan soil and is full of nutrients while being tasty and perfect for summer. It is also preferred to be eaten cold, making it also an excellent food for picnic- or a quick snack while on journeys in Crete.

Boureki is classified as a pie  You can make the pie’s dough with flour of your choice or with your preferred recipe for the pie. Then, for the filling of the dough, Mizithra, a local dairy product low on fat , is mixed with sliced raw fresh potatoes as well as fresh sliced zucchini. Alternatively, you can also mix other cheeses into the mixture or add another pure Cretan cheese, called Anthotiro . Spearmint is also added to the mixture that has a distinctive aroma, an earthy taste and can elevate the taste of the cheese being used, especially mizithra.

Olive oil is also added to the mix in order to be more malleable and we insist that you improvise, adding whatever you fancy into the mix- but in moderation. Many make this traditional cretan dish with cheese on top for extra flavour and some add egg yolk to the mixture they put in the cooking tray while others put oregano for extra taste. The choice for this exquisite dish of Cretan gastronomy is completely up to you!

An Olive Tree Restaurant Idea.

We believe that healthy, fresh and pure ingredients are the most crucial part of the preparation. Good ingredients make a big difference in the cooking process. We would like to suggest that you start to grow some basic ingredients in your patio- or your small garden. You can also grow some fresh vegetables into big pots.

Many vegetables do not require a lot of space or care and can provide you with fresh raw ingredients needed into everyday cooking. Vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants require little effort and can provide you with necessary ingredients for a fresh and highly valuable dish. After all eating the vegetable that you grew gives you also a fine sense of accomplishment !

We, at Olive Tree Restaurant in Platanias strive constantly to offer traditional, nutrient and healthy food to our customers. In this blog we will show you how to make traditional Cretan Dakos, a bio, healthy , full meal with ingredients that can be classified as vegetarian. This means that its an ideal alternative for everyone, anytime of the day.

Traditional Cretan Food: An introduction.

Traditional Cretan food is made with carefully selected ingredients of our homeland. Ingredients that elevate your experience and offer you a full healthy and balanced meal. Dakos is made with traditional Cretan Barley Rusks and a traditional healthy Cretan dairy product called Mizhthra. Mizithra is a fresh dairy product made primarily with goat’s milk, hence its white and low in fat. It has to be consumed fast because it has no preservatives and chemical additives. Next crucial ingredient is extra virgin Cretan olive oil .

This is the pride of our island and our biggest agricultural export product. Hand picked bio tomatoes are also a crucial ingredient not only in Dakos but in Traditional Cretan Food altogether. Tomatoes are used almost always on all food preparations, and Dakos is not an exception.

Table Olives is also an ingredient that many prefer to add in the recipe. Table olives have a lot of variants (depending on the olive variety) and you may add some olives as a garnish on top of Dakos. They add to the overall flavor due to their distinctive taste characteristics.

Cretan Oregano is another ingredient that as an aromatic herb can elevate the taste of every dish. Hand-picked and dried Cretan oregano has an original peculiar taste and is an ideal ingredient in Cretan Cooking.

Traditional Cretan Dakos: Why it’s a full meal.

You may wonder why we, at Olive Tree Restaurant, propose Cretan Dakos as a full meal. Many of our guests in our restaurant in Platanias order Dakos as a small starter dish before their main course. However due to its ingredients you can eat it as a full , healthy and light meal any time of the day.

Mizhthra Cheese is a healthy dairy product full of protein and healthy fat, whereas barley Cretan double baked rusks offer you essential carbohydrates. Olive oil and olives offer you the necessary fat to keep you energized during your daily routine. During the hot summer months it is advisable not to overdo it with fatty and fried food, hence Traditional Cretan food “Dakos” is an adequate food option enough to keep you energized for hours to come.

How to Make Traditional Cretan Food- Dakos.

In order to make Dakos at home you have to do only some minor steps. After you clean the tomatoes you then use a grater in order to scrub them on top of the barley rusks. Then you apply Mihthra cheese on top of the grated tomatoes while you pour a generous amount of olive oil and olives on top of it.

Olive oil will be absorbed by the Cretan rusks and provide your dish with the necessary humidity. On top you then apply the oregano and you are almost ready to enjoy it. Don’t forget to combine it with some organic Cretan Wine for a full traditional Cretan food experience!

A tip from Olive Tree Restaurant.

We invite you to enjoy Dakos, and other traditional Cretan food in our beachfront restaurant in Platanias, Chania. Carefully selected ingredients and dishes will indulge you into Cretan Cuisine. However, you may taste Traditional Cretan Dakos in your home as well, after you follow our instructions. If you prefer spicy foods we certainly insist that you also put caper on your Cretan Dakos. Caper offers extra spiciness and crunchiness to your meal and it is also an ideal combination with oregano which is also present in Cretan Dakos.

Bon Appetito!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

One of the core ingredients for gastronomy restaurants in chania is bio extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil is a key ingredient in the mediterranean cuisine as it is found all over the cooking process, cooked or raw. It is of paramount importance on all the mediterranean cultures from ancient years,and Crete is amongst the 3 biggest producers of extra virgin olive oil in Greece.

Extra virgin has to do with the quality of olive oil, as it has quality scaling valued on acidity. The bigger the acidity the worse the quality of olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil has acidity of 0, 3% up until 0, 8 %. Then it is virgin olive oil, from 0,8 % acidity up till 2 %, and then its labante olive oil which is not suitable for cooking (most of the time) and with acidity of more than 2 % has other uses. Cretan Gastronomy Restaurants in Chania always choose the extra virgin olive oil in order to elevate their quality.

Bio Tomatoes

Tomatoes are also a big factor in Mediterranean and Cretan cuisine. Not only do they come first in numerous salads, but almost always all of the mediterranean dishes start with tomato sauce. Bio Tomatoes have a distinctive taste, unique flavour and they lack all of the harmful pesticides- fertilizers most of the regular tomatoes are produced with. This is why they have a unique nutritional value that the cretan gastronomy restaurants like Olive Tree Restaurant in Platanias strive for.

Bio Onions

Onions, dry or green, is another key ingredient in mediterranean cuisine as well as the gastronomy of Crete. Onions are used in the Cretan or Greek salad and are used most of the time in cuisine as the preparation of cooking, when we fry them in sizzling extra virgin olive oil. They have a unique flavor and when fried they elevate the taste of dishes as they have a strong aroma that everyone loves. Bio Onions have no toxins because they have no fertilizers and pesticides used in the production phase. By this way, Cretan Gastronomy Restaurants have great ingredients to work with and start on a good foundation for a successful dish.

Limited edition Cretan Cheese (Graviera).

Limited edition pure Cretan Cheese is also an ingredient that can elevate the taste and distinctiveness of a dish. In Crete, we have a special hard yellow cheese called Graviera which is a mature dairy product made with a mixture of sheep (primarily) and goat’s milk. It has to endure a maturing process, which in the past was made in Mitata  and apart from the nutritional value, it also has a sentimental and folklore value for us Cretans. It has a strong distinctive flavour and it compliments various dishes like spaghetti, and salads. Graviera can also be eaten as a dessert served with Honey.

Local Wines

Except for our well known extra virgin olive oil, in Crete we tend to produce top quality wine that we also use it in cooking in Cretan gastronomy restaurants as well as for drinking. For white wine you can look for the Vidiano variety and for red wine, Kotsifali as well as Liatiko wine will sure astonish you in combination with our gourmet cretan dishes we carefully prepare for you in Olive Tree Restaurant.

We look forward to treating you to Cretan Hospitality!