We sincerely hope you enjoy it!

If you have a suggestion, an idea or a request, you can ask me, John Krontiras, by simply clicking here. Periodically we will have a drawing from the email addresses in our system and we will offer various gifts, i.e. free dinner, items from Nabeel's® Market, and from our new Café Capri.

Congratulations to samiller.nbcs@access-bank.com!

Note: In most cases we have not kept the actual name/address of an individual to mail the winning Gift Certificate and as a result we mail the winner, the Certificate to their e-mail address. When you receive the e-mail, it will have a subject: Nabeel's Gift Certificate You need to open the file and save it in Microsoft Word under "My Documents". Print the document, tear the Gift Certificate out, and bring to Nabeel's to redeem it. If you live outside of the Birmingham area, please forward this e-mail (gift certificate) to nabeels@nabeels.com and a gift will be mailed to you.

Email >> John@nabeels.com

AS OF OCTOBER 14, 2002, FETA IS OFFICIALLY A GREEK-ONLY CHEESE!

At Nabeel's Market we offer Greek Feta DODONIS … THE BEST FETA IN THE WORLD. Also, we have French Feta and Bulgarian Feta. French is softer and less salty. Bulgarian is similar but saltier than both the Greek and the French.

In conclusion, after 2-3 years you will be not be able to buy cheese that is called Feta unless it is produced in Greece's specific geographical locations. So, the next time you shop for Feta ask for the Authentic Feta! Authentic means GREEK Feta produced in Greece! Just the word Feta does not guarantee that you are getting the real thing.

More News on Feta

EU (European Union) governments have ended weeks of squabbling and agreed on a list of 41 famous food and drink names such Parma ham, Rioja wine, and Feta cheese, that they want to have worldwide brand protection, European officials said Thursday, according to Reuters. The European Union is trying to win backing of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for its gastronomic treasures to be protected under the WTO rules.

According to the European Union's executive Commission, the final list represents not only the most valuable items but also those widely pirated overseas: drinks like Chablis, Champagne, Cognac, and cheeses like Feta, Gorgonzola, and Regiano Parmeziano.

European Commissioner Frantz Fischler said: "Together with our allies, the EU will do its outmost to achieve better protection for regional quality products, from Europe's Roquefort cheese, to India's Darjeering tea, from Guatemala's Antigua coffee to Morocco's Argan oil." Greece in a diplomatic victory for Athens, both Feta and Ouzo were added! An Italian official said piracy of Italy's most famous food brands by U.S. firms was costing billions of dollars.

A study by Italian industry group INDICOF release at the end of August showed that less than one dollar in 10 spent on Italian type foods in the United States was use to buy products made in Italy.

PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Covers the term used to describe foodstuffs which are produced, processed, and prepared in a given geographical area using recognized know-how.

PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) The Geographical link must occur in at least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation.

TSG (Traditional Specialty Guaranteed) This does not refer to the origin but highlights traditional character, either in the composition or means of production.

While we're on the subject of eating and great taste, why not take a look at our menu and our catering selections!

Health has become a major concern for Americans who are obsessed with staying young, thin and disease free. So, we understand that a healthy diet leads to a healthy lifestyle. This diet is the Mediterranean diet* and the Mediterranean Pyramid* which boasts fresh ingredients, olive oil, and red wine. Really by embracing this diet we actually revert back to the old ways and adopt the types of cooking which developed hundreds and hundreds of years ago around the Mediterranean basin. The Mediterranean dietary pyramid was recently endorsed by the WHO (World Health Organization). This diet existed for centuries in Greece, Italy and Spain as a way of life. Their cuisine is as much a matter of culture and society as it is of food and wine. Olive oil, bread, fish, cheese, vegetables, pasta and fruits are the elements of Greek/ Italian tradition.

PRESS RELEASE, June 25, 2003
Harvard School of Public Health

"Boston, MA.- Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens, Greece, have assessed the dietary habits of study participants from all regions of Greece and found that those who strongly adhered to a Mediterranean diet had improved longevity compared to those that did not follow that diet closely."

In the June 26th issue of The NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL of MEDICINE this eleven page study is published, describing the details of this research. It is broken down in four areas: Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions. Background: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet may improve longevity.

Methods: "We conducted a population-based, prospective investigation involving 22,043 adults in Greece who completed an extensive, validated, food -frequency questionnaire at base line. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by a 10-point Mediterranean-diet scale that incorporated the salient characteristics of this diet (range) of scores, 0 to 9 with higher scores indicates higher adherence).

Results: "During a median 44 months of follow-up, there were 275 deaths. A higher degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with reduction in total mortality…."

Conclusions: "Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with significant reduction in total mortality.

* No warranty is expressed or implied by Nabeel's about the beneficial qualities of the Mediterranean diet.

A dictionary of Greek coffee:

Coffee: Greek coffee is made from beans ground very fine, to the consistency of, almost, powder

Briki : (pronounced bri ki) briki is the coffee pot for Greek coffee.

Kaimak: (pronounced kaema ki) this is the thick layer froth which forms on top of the coffee as it nears the boil. It should not be disturbed when pouring the coffee.

Katakathi: (pronounced kataka the) There will always be thick sediment at the bottom of the cup. Greek coffee is served with the grounds that settle at the bottom of the cup, so, the whole cup can not be drunk.

Flytzanaki: (pronounced fletzana ki) this the traditional coffee cup very similar to the cup that espresso is served in.

Greek coffee pot, available at Nabeel's International Market, $6.59

Bravo Greek coffee, 1 lb, $7.69

Loumidis Greek coffee, 1 lb, $7.69

Venizelos Greek coffee, 1 lb, $7.69

Recipes for Greek Coffee

Heavy Coffee (kafe vare glyko) Ingredients: 1 small cup water 1½ teaspoons of sugar 1 teaspoon of Greek coffee Preparation: Put the hot water in the briki to heat. While its getting hot, add the sugar and coffee and stir. As soon as the mix starts boiling it starts rising. As soon as it rises to the rim of the pot, remove immediately so as not to spoil the froth and coffee and stir.

Medium Coffee (kafe me trios) Ingredients: 1 small cup water 1½ teaspoons of sugar 1 teaspoon of Greek coffee Preparation: Same as the heavy coffee

After an enjoyable cup of coffee, why not visit the recipes section of our website for ideas!

If you'd prefer that we do the cooking, why not take a look at our menu and our catering selections!

[ * these items are available at Nabeel's^® International Market ]

Over 1,500 Ethnic and gourmet items from the far corners of the world are available at Nabeel's Market, enabling you to make the most tantalizing recipes. So, visit Nabeel's Cafe & Market for a tour of the world! Soon selected items will be available on our web site for ordering!

Preparation
Buy the fish cleaned and gutted. Slice the fish on each side in 3 places. Sprinkle inside and out with oregano and salt. Brush the inside and outside with the olive oil. Place fish in an oiled baked dish. Arrange sliced potatoes around the fish and pour remaining lemon juice over potatoes and fish. Pour the rest of olive oil over the fish and the potatoes. Sprinkle remaining oregano on fish and potatoes. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil. Cook in 350º F for about 35-40 minutes. Remove cover and continue to cook for another 10-20 minutes or until fish and potatoes are cooked. (If the fish is cooked already, remove the fish and place in a platter) and continue cooking the potatoes in the juices. Serve immediately, with boiled green vegetables such as spinach or endive.

Another excellent variation ( from the island of Rhodes ) - in the last 15 minutes of cooking add 3 tablespoons of drained and rinsed capers, mixed with olive oil.

Enjoy many other fine Nabeel's recipes here!