20 Best Greek Koliva Recipe Delight In These Amazing Recipes!

Published on: Mar 31, 2024

Koliva is a traditional Greek dish that is typically served at memorial services and funerals. It consists of boiled wheat berries, sugar, and various other ingredients, and is often decorated with nuts, raisins, and pomegranate seeds. While there are many variations of koliva, the best Greek koliva recipe is a simple yet delicious combination of flavors that will surely leave your taste buds satisfied.

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Greek Potatoes

Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Water, Garlic, Lemon Juice, Dried Oregano

Greek Potatoes (super easy, so much flavor!) - Texanerin Baking

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These crispy and flavorful Greek potatoes make the perfect side dish for your beer can chicken. The potatoes are seasoned with herbs and olive oil, giving them a delicious Mediterranean twist. They can be roasted alongside the chicken, soaking up all the delicious juices and flavors. You can also add some lemon juice and oregano to the potatoes for an extra burst of Greek flavor.

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Greek Chicken

Main Ingredients: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Greek Seasoning

Best Ever Greek Chicken Marinade - Carlsbad Cravings

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Of course, no list of Greek recipes would be complete without a classic Greek chicken dish. This recipe combines tender chicken thighs with a flavorful marinade of garlic, lemon, oregano, and olive oil. The chicken is then grilled to perfection, giving it a delicious charred flavor. Serve it alongside your beer can chicken for a Greek feast.

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Greek Salad Dressing & Greek Salad

Main Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon

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A refreshing and tangy Greek salad is the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken. This recipe includes a homemade Greek dressing made with red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. Toss it with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese for a delicious and healthy side dish.

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Greek Moussaka

Main Ingredients: Eggplant, Butter, Chopped Onion, Minced Garlic, Ground

Traditional Moussaka recipe with eggplants (aubergines) and potatoes ...

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This traditional Greek dish is a hearty and flavorful casserole made with layers of eggplant, ground beef, and tomatoes, topped with a rich and creamy bechamel sauce. It may take a little extra effort, but the end result is well worth it. This dish is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy family dinner.

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GREEK BEEF STIFADO

Main Ingredients: Chopped Tomatoes, Cinnamon Sticks, Bay Leaves, Dried

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This slow-cooked beef stew is a staple in Greek households. Tender chunks of beef are braised with red wine, tomatoes, onions, and herbs until they are melt-in-your-mouth tender. The resulting sauce is rich and flavorful, perfect for spooning over your beer can chicken or serving with some crusty bread for dipping.

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Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes – Both Homers Would...

Main Ingredients: Chicken, Bone, Russet Potatoes, Kosher Salt, Freshly

Greek Lemon Chicken | Recipe | Greek lemon chicken, Greek chicken and ...

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This simple and delicious recipe is a staple in Greek cuisine. The combination of lemon, garlic, and oregano is a classic Greek flavor profile that pairs perfectly with roasted chicken and potatoes. The chicken is juicy and tender, while the potatoes are crispy and flavorful. It's a winning combination that is sure to impress.

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Greek Pasta Salad

Main Ingredients: Barilla Rotini, English Cucumber, Grape Tomatoes, Red

Jo and Sue: Greek Pasta Salad With Creamy Feta Dressing

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This light and refreshing pasta salad is perfect for a summer BBQ or picnic. It's made with penne pasta, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, and feta cheese, tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing. It's a great way to use up any leftover beer can chicken and is also a delicious vegetarian option.

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Greek Orzo Salad

Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Fresh Lemon Juice, Garlic, Salt, Freshly

Orzo, a rice-shaped pasta, is a staple in Greek cuisine. In this salad, it's combined with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and a lemon and olive oil dressing. It's a light and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with your beer can chicken. You can also add some grilled chicken to make it a complete meal.

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Greek Turkey Burgers

Main Ingredients: Ground Turkey, Crumbled Feta Cheese, Kalamata Olives

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If you're looking for a healthier alternative to beef burgers, these Greek turkey burgers are a great option. The ground turkey is seasoned with garlic, oregano, and lemon zest, giving it a delicious Greek flavor. Serve them on a bun with some tzatziki sauce and your favorite toppings for a light and tasty meal.

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Greek Quesadillas

Main Ingredients: Flour Tortillas, Frozen Chopped Spinach, Sun Dried

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Put a Greek twist on a Mexican favorite with these tasty quesadillas. Instead of the usual fillings, these quesadillas are stuffed with spinach, tomatoes, feta cheese, and chicken. The combination of flavors is sure to be a hit. Serve them with some guacamole and salsa for a delicious and satisfying meal.

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One Pan Greek Lemon Chicken and Rice

Main Ingredients: Dried Oregano, Dried Minced Onion, Garlic, Lemon

One Pan Greek Lemon Chicken Rice with Roast Garlic - Closet Cooking

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If you're looking for an easy and flavorful meal, this one-pan chicken and rice dish is the perfect option. The chicken is cooked with lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, and the rice is cooked in the same pan, soaking up all the delicious flavors. It's a complete meal in one dish, perfect for a busy weeknight.

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Zesty Greek chicken

Main Ingredients: Chicken Legs, Chicken Stock, Lemon, Olive Oil, Onion

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For a zesty and flavorful chicken dish, try this recipe that combines chicken breasts with a tangy marinade made with lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. The chicken can be grilled or roasted, and it pairs perfectly with some roasted vegetables and a side of tzatziki sauce.

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Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

Main Ingredients: Chicken Breast, Greek Yogurt, Fresh Lemon Juice, Extra

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Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki & Pickled Vegetables - Yes to Yolks

If you love gyros, you'll love this Greek version made with tender chicken marinated in a blend of lemon, garlic, and oregano, and cooked to perfection. Serve it in a pita with some tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, red onion, and lettuce for a delicious and satisfying meal.

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Crispiest Greek Lemon Potatoes (Patates Lemonates)

Main Ingredients: Large Potatoes, Garlic, Olive Oil, Water, Dried

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These crispy and flavorful potatoes are a staple in Greek cuisine. They are tossed in a mixture of lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, and then roasted until golden and crispy. They are the perfect side dish for your beer can chicken and are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

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Greek Chicken Rice Bowl

Main Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fresh Lemon Juice, Red Wine

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This easy and healthy rice bowl is packed with Greek flavors. It's made with tender chicken, rice, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and a lemon and olive oil dressing. It's a great way to use up any leftover beer can chicken and makes a delicious and nutritious meal.

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Greek Salad Dressing

Main Ingredients: Red Wine Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard, Honey

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This homemade Greek dressing is so delicious, you'll never want to use store-bought again. It's made with red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, and it's perfect for drizzling over your beer can chicken or tossing with your favorite greens for a tasty and healthy salad.

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Greek Meatballs

Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Ground Lamb, Egg, Lemon, Dried Oregano

Easy Greek meatballs with feta cheese - Simply Delicious

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These flavorful meatballs are a great way to use up any leftover beer can chicken. They are made with a mixture of ground chicken, breadcrumbs, garlic, oregano, and lemon zest, and can be served with your favorite pasta or on top of a Greek salad for a tasty and protein-packed meal.

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Greek Salad with Homemade Greek Salad Dressing

Main Ingredients: Purple Onion, Cold Water, White Vinegar, Tomatoes

This easy Greek salad dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic ...

Easy Greek Salad with Homemade Dressing - Yummy Healthy Easy

This classic Greek salad is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine. It's made with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and a tangy homemade dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano. It's the perfect side dish for your beer can chicken and is also delicious on its own as a light lunch or dinner.

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Authentic Greek Tzatziki Sauce

Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Greek Yogurt, Garlic Cloves, Olive

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe - Cooking Classy

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No Greek meal would be complete without tzatziki sauce. This authentic recipe is made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill. It's the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken, and it's also great for dipping veggies, pita bread, or grilled meats.

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Greek Marinated Chicken

Main Ingredients: Plain Greek Yogurt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic

Greek Marinated Chicken | Mediterranean recipes, Greek marinated ...

The Easiest Greek Grilled Chicken Recipe | Little Spice Jar

This simple and flavorful chicken dish is perfect for a weeknight meal. The chicken is marinated in a blend of lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, and then grilled or roasted to perfection. Serve it with some roasted vegetables and a side of tzatziki sauce for a delicious and healthy meal.

The Importance of Koliva in Greek Culture

Symbolism of Koliva

Koliva holds a significant place in Greek culture, particularly in the Orthodox Christian faith. It is a symbol of life and resurrection, as well as a way to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. The wheat berries used in koliva represent the cycle of life, while the sugar symbolizes the sweetness of life. The addition of pomegranate seeds, which are a symbol of fertility and abundance, adds a touch of color and flavor to this meaningful dish.

Traditional Preparation

The preparation of koliva is a labor of love, often involving multiple family members coming together to make the dish. The wheat berries are boiled until soft, then mixed with sugar, nuts, and other ingredients. The final step is to decorate the dish with a cross made of powdered sugar, symbolizing the Christian faith. This process not only creates a delicious dish but also serves as a way to honor and remember loved ones.

The Best Greek Koliva Recipe

Greek Koliva with Honey and Cinnamon

Ingredients:

1 cup wheat berries
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
Powdered sugar for decoration

Instructions:

Soak the wheat berries in water overnight.
Rinse the wheat berries and place them in a pot with enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until soft.
Drain the wheat berries and let them cool.
In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, honey, almonds, raisins, pomegranate seeds, and cinnamon.
Add the cooled wheat berries to the mixture and mix well.
Transfer the mixture to a serving dish and form a cross on top with powdered sugar.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Customization:

Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking. You can add other nuts, dried fruits, or even chocolate chips for a unique twist on this traditional dish. You can also adjust the amount of sugar and honey to suit your taste preferences. In conclusion, koliva is not only a delicious and nutritious dish, but it also holds a special place in Greek culture and tradition. The best Greek koliva recipe combines simple yet meaningful ingredients to create a dish that is perfect for any memorial service or funeral. Give this recipe a try and honor your loved ones in a truly meaningful way.