Regardless of where pasta originated from, the Greeks have embraced it with open arms and typically incorporated it into their cuisine to make it their own.  As well as the many known dishes such as Spagetti Bolognese and Carbonara, which is just as popular in Greece as abroad, there are many other pasta dishes which have been given that Greek touch to them to make them uniquely Greek, such as Pastitsio.  Pastitsio is an all time favourite in Greece, especially with children.

This pasta recipe is a great meal to make for a casual dinner with friends, you can make the meal ahead of time, and then, when ready, put it in the oven to bake before serving. Ideal when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

500g pastitsio or macaroni pasta

500g mince

1 onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, peeled and grated

1 tablespoon parsley

2 tablespoons butter

pepper, salt

2 large fresh tomatoes, grated (or 3/4 tin of tomatoes, chopped)

1 or 2 egg whites

2 teacups grated cheese

1 litre milk, warmed

4 tablespoons heaped plain flour

fresh nutmeg - grated, 3 quick grates (or 3 pinches dried nutmeg)

125g butter

2 egg yolks

salt, pepper

Fry onion in butter until soft.

Add mince, fry until brown, breaking up any lumps of mince so it is all small.

Add the grated carrot and parsley and mix in.

Add the tomatoes, which have been grated or put in a blender.

Add salt and pepper. Add some water - about 100-150ml.

Cover and leave to simmer for half an hour.

When ready, cool slightly and stir in the egg whites.

Boil the pasta until al dente. Drain.

Meanwhile you can make the bechamel sauce

Melt the butter in a large saucepan.

Add the flour and mix in well for a while until it goes a bit yellow but doesn't burn.

Add a little milk, mix it in well and slowly add all the rest of the milk.

(At the start use a wooden spoon to mix the flour with the butter, then change to a whisk when adding the milk.)

Whisk thoroughly to make sure there are no lumps.

As you add the milk, have it on a low heat then once all the milk has been added and there are no lumps, you can increase the heat slightly to heat the milk and stirring regularly, the sauce will thicken.

When you add the milk, this is the time that it is possible for the sauce to get lumps in it, especially if you haven't made this sauce before.

To rectify, take the saucepan off the heat, and use an electric hand mixer on the sauce (in the saucepan), until you have a smooth sauce and all the lumps are gone. Return to the heat and warm until it thickens.

Add a little salt and pepper and the nutmeg, be careful not to add too much nutmeg - it really only needs a little amount to give the sauce a wonderful flavour. About 3 quick grates of a fresh nutmeg or 3 small pinches of dried nutmeg.

Nutmeg is only used in bechamel sauce when made to go with pastitsio. If you are using this recipe to go with another meal, you can omit the nutmeg.

When the sauce thickens, leave to cool a while, then add 2 egg yolks, and stir in to the sauce.

In a large deep baking tray, place half the pasta in the tray.

Sprinkle 1 cup cheese over the pasta.

Spread all the mincemeat over the pasta evenly.

Finish with the rest of the pasta, flatten out over the mincemeat.

Sprinkle over the pasta the other cup of cheese.

Pour bechamel sauce all over the top of the pasta and ensure it covers all the pasta.

Dot little pieces of butter over the top of the sauce to give it colour.

At this stage you can leave the pastitsio to bake later or bake straight away.

Bake in a moderate oven for approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on whether the food is already hot or not.

The sauce should have a lovely golden colour.

From December 1st 2015, Alonnisos is abolishing the use of plastic bags. The ambitious project is backed by the entire island, which in the last few years has made major leaps forward on issues concerning environmental protection. If it succeeds, the Greek island will become the country's first area to implement such a pivotal change in daily consumption habits.

Protected by the European Union's Natura program and located in the heart of the National Marine Park of the Nothern Sporades, Alonnisos hopes to earn the title of the country's 'greenest' island.

"People here have had environmental concerns for a number of years, regardless of laws and prohibitions," said Alonnisos Mayor Petros Vafinis.  "There is an eco conscience, which the older generation might have referred to in another way, but essentially, it exists."

Vafiinis sounded enthusiastic with regard to the island's recent environmental achievements.  "When we started the recycling program in 2012, I did not expect people, especially older citizens, to participate in the effort.  Grandmothers are now first in line at the recycling bins.  I am very pleased with the progress made."

And now the island has declared war on plastic bags.

To read more, please visit: ekathimerini

by Giorgos Lialios

Ancient Greeks, as well as other civilizations of that time, often attributed weather changes and natural phenomena to the gods. For example, lightning was a way for Zeus to show his anger, just as Thor in ancient Nordic mythology.

Ancient Greeks also believed in Poseidon, god of sea and earthquakes, Helios, god of sun, Selene, goddess of moon, Hephaestus, god of volcanoes, Chione, goddess of snow, Zeus, king of all gods and god of sky, thunder, lightning and rain. All occurrences of favorable or poor weather were thought to be a direct result of godly intervention.

The word “climate” stems from the Greek word “klima” meaning inclination and referring to the climate conditions created by the Sun’s angle. Moreover, ancient Greeks invented the term “meteorology,” the study of atmospheric disturbances. Aristotle is considered the founder of meteorology. He tried to explain the weather through the interaction of the four elements: earth, fire, air, and water. Aristotle’s student Theophrastus produced the first book on weather signs, listing observations used to forecast weather, many of which are still used to this day.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

Greece’s landmark coastal Astir Palace resort, located in the southern Athens suburb of Vouliagmeni, is expected to re-open in early 2018, following a redevelopment plan that includes the renovation of both Arion and Nafsika hotels, the development of 13 residences, the creation of a new park and a significant upgrade of the marina.

According to the owners, the plan will carefully consider Astir Palace’s cultural heritage and endeavor to protect and enrich the property’s natural environment whilst safeguarding Astir Palace’s legacy. Furthermore, the plan is expected to reinforce Athens and Greece as international destinations for high-end tourism.

The total project value, including the redevelopment, is expected to be over 600 million euros and the project is expected to be completed in 18 months.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Oiio Studio, founded by Ioannis Oikonomou, is a Greek architecture firm based in both New York and Athens. It has sparked global interest with their state-of-the-art design of the Big Bend, the world’s first U-shaped skyscraper.

 

If and when it will be built, it will span over 4,000 feet long which is almost twice as long as Burj Khalifa, standing at 2,722 feet tall.The Big Bend could be the world’s longest continual building and would forever change the architectural landscape of New York.

Oiio Studio also noted the challenges with the proposed project, one of the biggest being the curvature of the building and how an elevator would function to allow people transportation to the top floors.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

 

Photo Credit: Oiio Studio

The international golf tournament will return for the second year on 21-24 February 2018 with 50,000EUR prize fund

Monday, 7 August 2017 – Costa Navarino, the award-winning golf destination in Greece will host the second Messinia ProAm on 21-24 February 2018.

The event follows the inaugural ProAm in February 2017, which saw participants from 14 countries.

2018’s tournament is expected to attract 50 teams of golf professionals and aficionados from all over the world. The total prize fund on offer to the winning team will be 50,000EUR, making it the second highest to be offered in a European tournament.

The destination’s multi-awarded signature golf courses ‘The Dunes Course’ and the ‘The Bay Course’ will offer an unparalleled golf experience with views of the seaside Messinian landscape. Alongside a thrilling golf spectacle, the event will also provide a rich programme of events and entertainment for attendees, including thematic gastronomy nights.

The ProAm is sanctioned by the PGAs of Europe and is held under the auspices of the PGAs of Greece, the Hellenic Golf Federation and the Hellenic Olympic Academy. Professionals and amateurs alike will join together to compete at Costa Navarino, selected by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) as ‘European Golf Resort of the Year 2017’.

Aegean Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, is the official airline partner of the event. The company was awarded for the seventh consecutive year and for the eighth time in nine years, as "Best Regional Airline in Europe" at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Kyvernitis Travel is the official travel partner of the second Messinia Pro-Am. With over 40 years of experience in the travel industry, the agency will coordinate and ensure a smooth registration process.

Registration is now open via the website: messiniaproam.costanavarino.com.

Those registered by 30 September will receive a 10% ‘early bird’ discount.

Special accommodation packages are available at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino.

Click to view the Messinia Pro-Am Video HERE!

Organizer: Costa Navarino

Official Airline Partner: Aegean Airlines

Official Travel Partner: Kyvernitis Travel Website: messiniaproam.costanavarino.com

Hashtag: #messiniaproam

A reader from the USA wrote to Jessica, who blogs for Athens Coast, and asked how she should plan an upcoming 7-day trip to Greece with her girlfriends. Jessica plans the week-long holiday making it the ultimate girl's trip, including seeing an island or two and staying in the great city of Athens!

 

Dear Jessica,

One of my best friends lives in the Netherlands and is meeting me in Greece in June, and we’re looking for some advice about what to do & where to spend our time!

This is is roughly what I had in mind:

• See Athens on Sunday afternoon (the Acropolis & Parthenon, maybe a hop on/off bus tour?)
• Ferry to an island on Monday (Paros?)
• Ferry to Santorini on Wednesday
• Fly from Santorini back to Athens on Saturday

Just having a Sunday afternoon/evening to do the whole historic Athens thing is a bit tight. It can be done and what better way to stay active and resist napping (don’t nap! fight the urge)?

For the center of Athens with the time you have, visit the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Panathenaic Stadium with walks through National Gardens, Plaka & Monastiraki. 

---

For Paros I’d recommend staying in Parikia (hotels) which is where the port is OR Naousa (hotels).  With Parikia, you have the convenience of the port and it is the largest town on the island.  Naousa is more picturesque with a bit more of an upscale feel.  There are buses that run regularly from the port to Naousa.

Another popular island to combine with the Athens -> Santorini route is Naxos.  I like Naxos because you can stay (hotels) in the traditional village of Chora and walk to a nice beach, Agios Georgios.  I’ve been to Naxos twice and never rented a car.  We did take the bus twice from Chora to Plaka beach (which is a really nice beach!).

To read the full 7-day itinerary for a girl's trip, please visit: Athens Coast

Sticking to your new year's resolutions is tough! So if you want to make 2019 your year, we invite you to join a fantastic 12-week online coaching program tailored especially for women. Also, if one of your resolutions is to visit Santorini then you're in luck! Registrations for the Santorini Experience in October are now open and if you looking for a great place to stay, Perivolas Hotel was voted one of the best in the world!

Elpida weather storm will be bringing low temperatures and snow in Athens! Stay safe and cozy! 

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