My Greek Table with Diane Kochilas Season 1 Episode 5 Episode 105: Meze Society

In Episode 105 of My Greek Table with Diane Kochilas season 1, viewers are taken on a journey through the rich culinary tradition of meze in Greek culture. Meze refers to a small plate or dish that is served as an appetizer or a snack. These dishes are usually served with drinks, often accompanied with good company and conversation, and can be enjoyed at any time of day.

Diane kicks off the episode by visiting Athens' Varvakios Agora, one of the busiest markets in Greece, to source fresh produce for her meze feast. With a shopping bag full of ingredients, she heads back to her kitchen to start cooking.

The first dish on her menu is bouyiourdi, a simple but delicious Greek version of bruschetta. Diane mixes chopped tomatoes, garlic, and feta cheese together and spreads the mixture on slices of fresh bread before toasting it in the oven. This dish is a classic meze staple, and Diane offers tips on how to add your own twist to make it stand out.

Next up, Diane shows viewers how to make kolokythokeftedes, a mouth-watering zucchini fritter made with feta cheese, herbs, and breadcrumbs. She serves the fritters with a tangy tzatziki sauce and explains the importance of using high-quality feta cheese to take it to the next level.

Moving on to seafood, Diane prepares grilled calamari with a garlic and herb marinade. She also makes prawn saganaki, which is a dish of prawns cooked in a tomato-based sauce with feta, peppers, and herbs. This is a twist on the classic Greek dish of meat saganaki, and Diane's version is a must-try for seafood lovers.

To add a meaty element to the meze feast, Diane cooks up some spicy mini meatballs called soutzoukakia. She also makes grilled lamb chops with a delicious herbed marinade, perfectly cooked to order. These dishes are sure to satisfy any meat-lover at the table.

Finally, no meze feast is complete without sweets, and Diane has two tempting dessert options. She prepares loukoumades, small deep-fried doughnuts that are drizzled with honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon. She also makes melopita, a honey and cheese pie that is rich and decadent.

Throughout the episode, Diane explains the cultural significance of meze in Greece and how it brings people together to enjoy food, drink, and conversation. She shares tips and tricks to make each dish stand out and offers suggestions for hosting your own meze gathering at home.

Overall, My Greek Table with Diane Kochilas season 1 episode 5 is a mouth-watering exploration of the world of meze and the traditions and stories that make it an important part of Greek cuisine. Viewers will be inspired to try these dishes at home and share them with loved ones.