We will be entertaining Greek Business associates in August, Anyone have any suggestions for food,drinks and etc. I would like to make something ethnic Greek and then we are finnish and German maybe something from these ethnic groups and a yummy Dessert. Looking at maybe appetizers and finger foods, just in case the entertaining will be done at the Business place.All suggestions Welcome! Thanks for the help.
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07-19-02, 04:29 AM
DorianGreyed
Why do you want to fix them Greek food ? Do you think they haven't had enough in their lives ?
My advice is not to try it; I don't think that you will make it nearly as well as they get it at home. I know I would hate to go to anywhere in Europe and be served steak or some sort of barbeque. If you really need to serve Greek, make it the finger food; go to a good Eastern European market, get some feta cheese, some good olives ( if you get a can, you should be shot), a good crusty bread (called cream bread in my part of the MidWest), some pickled vegetables, and some peppers. Cut the bread into 1" cubes, serve all on a platter. When we have relatives from Macedonia, that's what they want for apps. For the main meal, they like steaks, baked Potatoes, and salad. A casual meal is often chili.

07-19-02, 10:39 AM
trixkala
Most Greeks perfer Scotch Whiskey to Ouzo for social drinking. If you want a wine, do not opt for a Retsina (or resinated wine) go for a good local white/red wine.

Choose one or two appetizers to serve with drinks. Greeks eat while drinking. They go hand in hand. Nuts, cheese spreads, and other tapas style tid bits are a must to entertain properly.

Choose to serve Lamb. Good lamb, roasted, baked, broiled, plain or in sauces is a very good choice.
Fresh fish is another choice. Keep the sides to a tomato salad. Wedges of ripe tomato, cucumber, onions, feta cheese and kalamata olives, dress this with x=x=tra virgin oilve oil and salt, garnish with oregano or fresh dill. Crispy fried potatoes is also a good choice. Green beans cooked in a small amount of tomato sauce is a safe veggie.

Absolutly crusty bread.....(some in the family stop eating only when the bread is gone)

Keep dessert to fruit. A fresh sliced fruit platter is all that is necessary. Greek people eat gooey sweets in mid afternood with coffee (kinda Greek version of "tea") Which brings me to after dinner drinks.....you can also offer Metaxa which is Greek Brandy and coffee- coffee- cofee

If you need a recipe or two let me know and I'll post them in the next forum.

07-19-02, 06:48 PM
carr1961
I have to agree with Doriangreyed. My best friend was Greek and when reletives came they wanted American food. If you went to Greece would you eat hamburgers or fried chicken

07-19-02, 07:52 PM
trixkala
I do go to Greece, and believe me I search for the common hamburger, Thank God there is an Applebee's in Athens.

Every summer I have visitors from Greece, some are more eager to try new things than others. But we are not talking feeding family or friends here. We are talking....making an impression on a foreign business associate. When you go out of your way to cater to the natural likes and dislikes of a visiting associate, it lets them know that you have planned for their arrival and it makes a very good impression.

I would rather be given a hamburger in Japan, than to offered sushi and the like. As a business guest you feel complelled to eat what is offered - - whereas family will tell you they don't like lobster, would you boil them an egg.
(yup, it happed to me....and I wanted to slap my sister in law as I threw her lobster in the trash).

08-29-02, 01:28 PM
Shawn
guest with picky palates should make things known before coming. guest with allergies should do the same. You can't turn up your nose at a meal that is prepared in your honor if the host is unaware of your needs/preferences.

Trix your sister in law should have eaten it anyway or just potlitely declined the lobster and ate the rest of the food that was prepared intstead of asking then to have you prepare her something "special" or brought her own dagum food.

In the case that you are wanting to prepare greek foods why not use the staple of foods they are used to but prepare in a amercian way. Such as the lamb(grilled), or shrimp (grilled), baked potates, fresh garden salad. a Fruit salad or a pie ala mode. or even try dishes from all international delicasies.

fondue appetizers or dips and chips. Country green beans, along with a pasta dish. you could just give them a variety of different foods to choose from. along with about 2-3 dessert choices one just being some cut up fresh fruit salad. I agree that serving them a complete greek menu would be a bad choice, but would have at least one greek menu item, since someone might be unsure of other foods given but feel more secure in a choice they recognize

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,