Autumn in Greece with Peter Minaki

Passionate Greek food aficionado, cook, author and teacher Peter Minaki of Kalofagas.ca is back at The Dep with another night of authentic Greek specialities. In keeping with his Mediterranean Diet philosophy, Peter brings the bounty of the season to the table with this luscious celebration of home-style Greek cooking. ----- Housemade Bread & Olives Shrimp Saganaki Shrimp simmered in an aromatic tomato sauce with crumbled feta — saganaki refers to the two-handled vessel the dish is traditionally served in, not just the cheese it's often associated with. Baby Arugula Salad with Fresh Figs A celebration of the close of the fig season; figs, shaved graviera (think Greek gruyère) and a bright, three-citrus dressing. Moussaka Moussaka is one of the most famous and beloved Greek dishes worldwide: tender eggplant layered with a warmly spiced minced meat sauce, topped with a creamy béchamel. While viewed as a Greek national icon today, its roots stretch back to medieval Arab dishes — Its name comes from the Arabic word musaqqa'a, meaning "moistened" — which evolved through the Ottoman Empire. (It is said Ottoman chefs prepared over 40 different eggplant recipes for the royal court). In the 1920s, influential Greek chef Nikolaos Tselementes added a French béchamel sauce to the top, part of a trend to Europeanize" traditional Greek cooking by blending Mediterranean ingredients with French culinary techniques. This structured, layered version with golden baked béchamel on top became the worldwide standard for Greek moussaka. You can rest assured Peter's version will be exceptional. Vegetarian version available on request Karydopita à la Mode Spiced walnut cake, warmed with cinnamon and clove and soaked in syrup, made in patisseries across Greece and in most Greek homes — served with a scoop of ice cream. ----- Peter Minaki is a proud Greek Canadian and the creator of the popular Kalofagas – Greek Food & Beyond food blog. Kalofagas is the Greek word for “gourmet.” Peter started the blog because he wanted to introduce the world to the delicious depths of Greek cuisine. Known for adding twists to his recipes, Peter balances his posts between traditional, modernized and his own unique recipes. Gathering inspiration from his yearly trips to Greece, Peter endlessly promotes the diversity of Greek cuisine. Living in Toronto and having a curious spirit, he refers to himself as “a tourist in his own town.” He welcomes every opportunity to try new foods and different cuisines. @kalofagas | kalofagas.ca ----- BOOK NOW! $79 + HST - https://thedepanneur.ca/products/supper-club-autumn-in-greece-a-harvest-feast-with-peter-minaki ----- Every weekend The Depanneur invites an amateur or professional guest chef to host a fun, informal dinner party.