Loukoumades (Greek donuts) for all

THE last weekend of November is the traditional time for the serving of Loukoumades, and our senior citizen group (KAPI) also serves them,, virtually to anybody who calls into their building - and there are many of course. 

  Loukoumades are Greek doughnuts which have a round, golden appearance. Made using flour and salt, and dressed with honey syrup and cinnamon, they are very popular in Greek cooking. The dessert first originated in Ancient Greece, where they were called "honey tokens" and were awarded to winning Olympic athletes.The pastry was first recorded in writing by the poet Callimachus, making it one of the oldest recorded desserts in Greek history.

  The Greek pastry is made by first combining flour and salt. Yeast is then dissolved in warm water and a pit is made in the center of the flour mixture where it is poured until the dough is malleable and sticky. The dough is left to rest and, once it has doubled in size, it is ready to be fried in hot oil in a deep fryer. 
  To achieve the round shape, a small amount of dough is placed into the palm of a hand and is molded into a small ball before it is placed in the oil. This process is continued until the entire dough mixture is used; when the pastry balls float to the top of the oil and appear golden in color, they are ready to dress with syrup
  While there are variations in recipes, loukoumades are generally served with honey syrup and cinnamon. To make the honey syrup, water, honey, and sugar are combined and brought to a boil. The syrup is then poured over the loukoumades and cinnamon is sprinkled on top. Loukoumades are usually served warm.


 

Autumn - a time to reflect

AUTUMN is Crete has been days of warm sun, lazy days in the local cafe drinking coffee and generally watching the world go by.

  Tourists have virtually disappeared from the island and our village, Pano Hersonissos has entered a new time-zone. All the tavernas, bar one, have closed, leaving the locals, and us to use the kafeneions. These are always well supported through the whole year, and in recent sunshine a pefect setting. 

  The kafeneions prepare and sell traditional food, and it's very good value. The first rains, albeit little, have started, but not enough to discourage a walk out. On Sundays one enterprising trader from Kastelli, about eight miles away, comes to the village his van laden with plants and small shrubs. He has done a great trade in the village and will be here until the heavy rains come. His family own a garden centre and his enterprise has been good for him.

  One of the tavernas on the edge of the village square has taken a big step forward. During the years that we have been here we have noticed that they really have no trade to speak of. For whatever reason they have embarked on a major change. The place has been re-designed, with a fresh decor, so we shall watch this one carefully over the coming months.

  Soon most locals will be out checking their olive trees, looking for a good harvest. A recent newspaper article in England listed one oil from chania, as one of the very best. When we checked, the selling price was 39 euros for half a litre!!!! It had to be very very special for that. We are more than happy with the oil we have thank you. Current value if you have to buy it locally is around two euros a litre, we certainly have no complaints from our local suppliers.

Psst - wanna buy a fake bargain?

WE know the economy here is Greece is in a parlous state and people will do what they can to make money, but we came across a new one today.

  Shopping in Hersonissos at the international company Lidl, as we loaded up our purchases, a very suspicious man edged up to our car.

   He said nothing at first, but then, offered a brand new ""Apple iPhone""  It's genuine he said when he realised we were English. It only 100 euro today special offer. First of all it could not have been genuine for that money, or secondly it was stolen. It could even been the kind they have in phone shops - the dummy ones that look the part for sales but actually have nothing inside the case. Did it come with a charger, did it work??

 We could not believe that he thought that anyone would even give it a fraction of their time to buying such a fake..Are there really people in this day and age who would fall for it - we certainly hope not.

It's a blooming good night!!

LAST year we were lucky in our village of Pano Hersonissos, to have the traditional Carnation Night revived. The area is well know for it's flowers and you will find row upon row of growing sheds around the area.

  So it was nice that, after it had been missing from the village for more than 10 years, it was brought back. Even better it was continued here again. It seemed that the whole village was out, despite there being two very big local wedding parties taking place, as well as the very important Greek football match Olympiacos v. Panathaniacos (Olympiacos won 1-0) being shown on television. This meant that the festivities started later, but that is nothing new in Greece, although it was obvious fromn many faces which football team they supported!!
  Everybody was having a good time, including the village dogs who were out in force. They are all very gentle and were all well fed by the end of the evening.
  Wine was free of charge, and a non-profit price on all other drinkls and there were thousands of soulaki (meat on sticks) being cooked to feed the revellers. Live music pushed the evening along, and it was not long before the traditional dancing took place, all into the very early hours of the morning. Towards the end of the night, thousands of carnation blooms were handed round or thrown into the area where the dancers were. Another night to remember.