Ep 6. Episode 6

Rick Stein's Mediterranean Escapes season 1 episode 6 is a culinary adventure that takes viewers to the beautiful island of Crete, Greece. In this episode, Rick Stein explores the island's rich culinary traditions while discovering the natural beauty and cultural diversity that make it a must-see destination.

The episode begins with Rick exploring the local markets, where he picks up fresh ingredients for the dishes he's planning to prepare. One of the highlights of his market tour is the variety of cheeses available in Crete, including graviera, a hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and myzithra, a soft, tangy cheese made from either sheep or goat's milk.

Next, Rick heads to the town of Rethymno, where he samples the local delicacy of fried snails. Known as "chochlioi bourbouristoi," these snails are cooked in a flavorful broth with herbs and spices and served with a lemon wedge.

Rick then visits the mountain village of Archanes, where he meets with a local winemaker to learn about the island's wine production. Crete boasts a long history of wine production, dating back over 4,000 years, and Rick discovers some of the unique grape varietals that can only be found on the island.

After a visit to the stunning Palace of Knossos, Rick heads to the seaside town of Hersonissos to prepare a seafood feast at a local taverna. He cooks up some of the fresh catch of the day, including octopus, sea bream, and mussels, and serves them up with a variety of traditional Cretan sides, such as dakos, a type of barley rusk topped with tomato and feta cheese.

Finally, Rick heads to the kitchens of a local monastery to learn about the role of food in the Greek Orthodox faith. He helps the monks prepare a traditional lentil soup and learns about the importance of fasting and feasting in their religious practices.

Throughout the episode, Rick showcases the unique regional flavors and ingredients that make Crete's cuisine so special. From the perfect pairing of wine and cheese to the delicate balance of herbs and spices in local dishes, Rick captures the essence of Crete's culinary culture and leaves viewers hungry for more.