Milk Street Television Season 4 Episode 15 The Greek Kitchen

Christopher Kimball's Milk Street is a cooking show that explores international cuisines and techniques. In Season 2, Episode 15 titled "The Greek Kitchen," Christopher Kimball and his team travel to Greece to explore the country's rich culinary traditions and bring them back to their Milk Street kitchen.

The episode begins with a visit to the village of Stemnitsa, known for its traditional Greek cheese, graviera. Christopher meets with cheesemaker Kostas Karatzas to learn about the process of making the cheese. He explains that graviera is a hard cheese made from sheep's milk that is aged for several months. They also visit a local shepherding family who provide the milk for the cheese, and Christopher comments on the importance of community and tradition in Greek food culture.

Back in the Milk Street kitchen, Christopher and his team use the graviera cheese to make two dishes. First, they make graviera saganaki, a fried cheese dish served with honey and sesame seeds. Christopher explains that the dish is a popular appetizer in Greek restaurants and is incredibly simple to make at home. They also use the cheese in a spinach and cheese pie, or spanakopita. Instead of using phyllo dough, the Milk Street team uses a homemade dough made with semolina flour, creating a crisp and crunchy texture.

Next, Christopher travels to the island of Chios to learn about the production of mastiha, a resin used in Greek cooking. He meets with local producer Giorgos Andriopoulos, who shows Christopher the process of harvesting mastiha from the mastic tree. Mastiha has a unique flavor and is used in many recipes, including a Greek custard pastry called galaktoboureko.

Back in the Milk Street kitchen, Christopher and his team use mastiha in two dishes. First, they make mastiha cookies, which are light and delicate with a distinct flavor. They also use it in a Greek-style custard, and Christopher notes that it adds a subtle hint of pine and resin to the dish.

Finally, Christopher meets with local cook and author Diane Kochilas to learn about the traditional Greek diet and the health benefits of Greek ingredients. They discuss the use of olive oil, herbs, and fresh vegetables in Greek cooking, as well as the importance of sitting down to share meals with family and friends.

Overall, "The Greek Kitchen" episode of Christopher Kimball's Milk Street offers a fascinating look into the diverse and flavorful cuisine of Greece. From traditional cheese-making to the use of unique ingredients like mastiha, Christopher and his team introduce viewers to the tastes and traditions of this rich cultural heritage.