Transport your table to the sun-drenched shores of Santorini with a meal built on simplicity, freshness, and the flavors of the Mediterranean.

Serves

4-6

Main Course

Whole Grilled Greek Sea Bream (Tsipoura)

Ingredients

• 2 whole sea bream or sea bass, cleaned (about 1½ lbs each)
• ¼ cup extra virgin Greek olive oil
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbsp fresh oregano
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp cracked black pepper

Instructions

1. Pat fish dry and score each side three times.
2. Stuff the cavity with lemon slices, garlic, oregano, and parsley.
3. Rub fish with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Grill over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side until the flesh flakes easily.
5. Finish with fresh lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil.

Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

Ingredients

• 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup Kalamata olives
• 6 oz feta cheese
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions

Combine vegetables and olives in a bowl.

Place feta on top, drizzle with olive oil, and finish with oregano.

Santorini Dakos Salad

Ingredients

• 4 barley rusks or toasted artisan bread slices
• 3 tomatoes, grated
• 4 oz crumbled feta
• 2 tbsp capers
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh oregano

Instructions

1. Lightly moisten rusks with water.
2. Top with grated tomatoes.
3. Sprinkle with feta and capers.
4. Finish with olive oil and oregano.

Classic Tzatziki

Ingredients

• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 1 cucumber, grated and drained
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh dill
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions

Mix all ingredients thoroughly.

Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Warm Grilled Pita Bread

Ingredients

• 6 pita rounds
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Pinch of oregano

Instructions

Brush pita with olive oil.

Grill 1 minute per side until lightly charred.

Sprinkle with oregano.

Marinated Greek Olives

Ingredients

• 2 cups Kalamata olives
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp oregano

Combine and allow flavors to develop for 30 minutes.

Chef’s Plating

Serve everything family-style on large ceramic platters.

• Place whole fish in the center.
• Surround with lemon wedges and herbs.
• Position tzatziki and olives in small bowls.
• Stack grilled pita vertically in a basket.
• Keep colors vibrant with tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh herbs.
• Finish the table with olive oil dipping bowls and oregano.

Cultural Spotlight

For thousands of years, Greek island communities have built meals around what the sea and land provided that day. Whole grilled fish, fresh vegetables, olive oil, and shared meze plates reflect a philosophy known as parea, the joy of gathering around food, conversation, and companionship. On islands such as Santorini and Mykonos, meals are often lingered over for hours while overlooking the Aegean Sea, where hospitality is considered one of life’s greatest traditions.

Beverage Pairing

Wine

• Assyrtiko from Santorini
• Moschofilero
• Greek Rosé

Non-Alcoholic

• Sparkling lemon mint water
• Cucumber basil spritz
• Fresh citrus herbal tea

“In Greece, the meal is never just about the food. It is about the people gathered around the table.” 🇬🇷🐟🍋🌊🍅