This post is the third & final post about my Gourmet Club’s great Greek Dinner Party menu. Appetizers and Drinks can be viewed here, and Main Dishes/Sides can be viewed here.
Continuing on with this fabulous menu… I’ll be adding on the desserts today. Recipes can be found by clicking on the recipe titles.
Greek Dinner Party:
Cocktail:
Greek Mojitos
Appetizers:
Marinated Eggplant with Capers & Mint
Goat Cheese w/ Olives, Lemon & Thyme
w/ Crisp Rosemary Flatbread
Dried Fig Souvlaki
Starter:
Chopped Vegetable Salad with Feta & Olives
Main Course & Sides:
Leg of Lamb Roast with Garlic & Rosemary
Spinach, Feta & Pine Nut Phyllo Tart
Roasted Garbanzo Beans & Garlic with Swiss Chard
Greek Potatoes with Lemon Vinaigrette
Desserts:
Chocolate Baklava
Greek Butter Cookies
Spiced Fresh Orange & Honey Sorbet
I decided to serve a ‘trio’ sampling of Greek desserts, mostly because I just couldn’t decide upon a single one.
Baklava of some sort was an obvious choice. I had never made baklava before, but I was definitely up for the challenge. I have worked with phyllo so I didn’t think it would be all that difficult. It wasn’t. I melted butter and brushed each phyllo layer with butter… which made the whole thing really, really buttery. It was very good and very rich. My friend who made the phyllo tart ended up using butter spray for the phyllo layers in her recipe. Good idea! Next time I might try that.
One of our group members brought these Greek butter cookies. She dipped some in chocolate and edged them in chopped walnuts, and she left some plain and rolled them in powdered sugar. They were a good, basic butter cookie- a nice addition to our dessert plate.
The final winner of the dinner party was this unique sorbet recipe. Sugar, honey & water is reduced to a syrup with cloves, orange zest, bay leaf, star of anise and ginger. The syrup is then strained and added to fresh orange & lemon juice and processed in an ice cream machine. LOVED THIS! It’s different than any sorbet I’ve had, and it was a perfect way to end the dinner.
In the entire Greek menu above, it’s tough to pick the favorite- every single recipe on the menu is one that I wouldn’t hesitate to repeat. If I had to choose two absolute faves, I’d choose the Dried Fig Souvlaki and the Spiced Honey & Orange Sorbet.
So there you have it. We were quite stuffed after eating all of that food. Our next Gourmet dinner party is in a couple of weeks, and we will be traveling to Spain for some good grub. I’ve done my duty in hosting for the year, so I’ll get to be a bit more relaxed at this next one 🙂
*All recipes above can be found by clicking the recipe titles within the menu*
Other posts written about this dinner party menu can be found here:
Greek Dinner Party- Drinks and Appetizers
Greek Dinner Party- Main Dishes and Side Dishes
OMG THAT BAKLAVA!!! WHAT?! AMAZING!
Wow. Desert is not one of my favorite things but when it comes to baklava I just cant say no. Thanks for the recipe I am going to give it a try and see if I can make it.
all right, so dessert is my favorite part of any meal, especially a greek meal. baklava is the most amazing treat i’ve ever encountered, and your chocolate version looks STELLAR.
I’m a bit behind on my blog reading, but starting w/dessert isn’t a bad thing! Your baklava looks decadent!
That whole spread is really something and I love the desserts. And why have I never considered chocolate baklava before?
WOWZA!!
Everything looks so wonderful!
This is the first time that I have come to this site, and to get knocked out by this first menu wow, I love Baklava and I have a Greek friend who’s mother makes the best but this is the first time that I have heard of chocolate Baklava I have taken the recipe and I am going to ask her very nicely to make it for me. I will be coming back to your site to see what other surprises you have.
A perfect way to end a perfect meal! That sorbet is so interesting! My only regret is that I live 3000 miles away and can’t join your fun group!
I’ve never had Baklava before but I totally want to try it after seeing those pics!
and those greek butter cookies OMG.
Oh goodness…the baklava is a hunk of hunk’o goodness! A top-notch evening, you picked some great dishes.
I love this series. I have always been tempted to try making Baklava, but have never bitten the bullet. I think I will now though. You make it sound less intimidating. I think I’ll give the butter spray a try.
Thanks!
Just beautiful! You’ve inspired me to cook Greek very soon.
I swear that baklava was calling my name! Wonderful feast!!!
looks delicious! That orange sorbet sounds great, very interesting! Quite a spread!
I’ve been waiting for this post. Oh my goodness: chocolate baklava!?! Mmm, I can’t wait to make this. It looks so moist and delicious!! Everything looks great. What a fabulous dinner party!
Looks fabulous- and I want to eat it all! Thank goodness it’s just a picture 😉 I’ve lost 10.6 lbs as of this morning. I’ve actually been enjoying the exercise, and the challenge! How are you doing? It’s inspiring to know we can do this and still whip up wonderful meals!
I’ve never had chocolate baklava but it looks divine! Your supper club had quite the feast!
Oh I LOVE Baklava…and it is one I truly miss!!!! I wish their were more greek foods here.. but you know I am so glad you posted this.. now I have an opportunity to try it out.. wish me luck..
These would be a perfect ending for your trip through Greek cuisine. I especially would love to try the chocolate baklava!!
I’ve enjoyed reading about the menu you created or your supper club. Everything has looked so good.
I have never made baklava either. I will definitely put it on my list of recipes to try out!
What a delicious meal you had and a great way to finish it off!
They look amazing esp the chocolate baklava! I want some with coffee now.