Time to make some classic Greek dishes

TZATZIKI

Tzatziki is a dip made of yoghurt and mixed with cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, sometimes with vinegar or lemon juice, and herbs such as dill, mint, parsley and thyme.

Ingredients
1/2 of a large cucumber,peeled
1 1/2 cups plain full-fat Greek yoghurt
2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp fresh dill
Preparation
Grate the cucumber and drain thoroughly.
Keep in the refrigerator overnight.
Combine the yoghurt, garlic, oil, vinegar, and salt in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Transfer the grated cucumber and fresh dill to the yoghurt mixture and stir to combine.
Serve chilled with pita bread for dipping.

SPANAKORIZO
Spanakorizo is a Greek vegetarian dish of spinach and rice. It may be eaten hot or cold.

Ingredients
1 kg spinach (chopped, washed, drained)
1 spring onion (chopped)
1/3 cups olive oil
1 1/3 cup water
1 1/3 cups long-grain rice
5 1/4 cups water
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Preparation
In a pot, sauté the chopped spring onion in the oil over medium heat for 8-10 minutes.
Add spinach and 1 1/3 cups of water and cook until the spinach wilts.
Add rice and 5 1/4 cups of water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in lemon juice and salt, cook for another 5 minutes and remove from heat.
Serve hot with wedges of lemon and freshly ground pepper.

LOUKOUMADES

Loukoumades are little bite-sized fluffy sweet honey balls which are deep fried and served soaked in hot honey syrup, sprinkled with cinnamon and garnished with chopped walnuts or toasted sesame seeds.

Ingredients
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 cup lukewarm water
½ cup milk
1 sachet dry instant yeast (10g)
1 tbsp sugar
Pinch of salt
Pinch of cinnamon
1 tbsp oil + more for frying
Maple syrup for drizzling
Powdered pistachio for garnish
Preparation
Mix all the dry ingredients together including yeast.
Then add lukewarm water and milk and mix well.
Cover with a piece of cling film and rest it for about 2 hours until dough triples in size .
Once the dough is ready, heat oil in a wok.
Once the oil is hot, scoop a teaspoon of the dough and gently drop it into hot oil.
Fry about 4 loukoumades at one time till golden brown. Drain on kitchen towel.
Drizzle maple syrup on the loukoumades and garnish with powdered pistachios.