DECEMBER, 2001 |
|
Welcome to the Nabeel's Newsletter, a little bit of the Mediterranean! |
|
We're very excited to begin issuing a monthly Newsletter so that many of our valued customers can be informed of the latest trends and tastes of Mediterranean diet.
We will also include facts about Greece, history, recipes, health issues,
and much, much more!
If you have a suggestion, an idea or a request, you can ask me, John Krontiras, by simply replying to this email. 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.
|
|
Monthly Newsletter Winner! |
| The winner of the October drawing is csmscnclpr@aol.com,
winner of 6 bottles of Nabeel's GLORIA Greek Classic Dressing.
Congratulations to csmscnclpr! |
|
Send Us Your Comments |
| Send us your comments or suggestions. Your comments or requests
may be beneficial to other recipients and we will selectively publish
some of your requests, suggestions or comments.
Your question can be about food, recipes, ingredients, Greece, etc.
|
|
Name That Town |
|
Olympia is situated in the north-western part of Peloponnese and about 100km
from Patras. Olympia was as sacred as Delphi. Every four years
a pan-Hellenic truce was announced and people from all over
Hellas (Greece) gathered at Olympia in order to compete.
The prize for the winner was the "kotinos" a garland made from
wild olive tree. Olympia is situated in the valley of Alpheios river
and enclosed by Alte "the most beautiful place of Greece." The first
Olympic games historically started at 776 BC, the first Olympiad.
It is not accidental that Greece for the first time in history held the
Games. This was a unique event, and a product of a higher civilization.
The Greeks were honoring their race and Gods, who had favored them
with art, strength and grace.
In the USA, six states have cities named for Olympia, including
Olympia, in Washington State. Do not get confused with Olympus;
That is the mountain Olympus in north Greece where the Greek Gods used
to live, according to mythology. |
|
Did You Know? |
|
Did you ever wonder about Cilantro and Coriander? They are twin
herbs that come from the same plant. Cilantro, sometimes called Chinese
parsley, refers to the leaves. Coriander is the name for the seeds. They
have medicinal benefits in helping to sooth digestion and control infection.
Coriander tastes like a combination of citrus and sage. Cilantro has a
Similar taste but milder.
We use both, at Nabeel's, as part of aromatic herbs in cooking fish or
meats. Take a peek at our delightful menu here! |
|
Featured Greek Wine |
Retsina Tsantali |
Retsina is a Greek wine, and the European Union recognizes it
as an exclusive Trademark of Greece. A three-thousand-year old
tradition, retsina is unique to Greece and an appellation protected by
law, so that no other country is allowed to produce it.
Its unique taste comes from the added resin, which is extracted from
the Aleppo pine, a tree that flourishes in the heart of mainland Greece.
Its origin dates to the dates when wine was transported in clay jugs
sealed with a coat of plaster and pine resin. The ancient Greeks
believed that it was the resin, and not the seal, that preserved the wine,
as a result they continue to resinate the wine.
The oldest winery in the world was discovered in Archanes in Crete
around 4,500 years ago, and the ancient Greeks considered wine
part of their life, created myths, legends, and even divinities for
the wine. The most famous was Dionisus the son of Zeus and also
Bachus.
Retsina, must be drunk very chilled, icy cold, and it is an acquired taste.
Even though its severest critics concede that Retsina is good for zesty
Greek food, some like it some hate it.
This fine wine is available at Nabeel's Market for only $7.99 per bottle. |
|
Food Thoughts |
|
The Byzantines (a Greek empire that lasted over 1,100 years) with their capital, Constantinople (today's Istanbul) knew not only how, but also what to eat. Vegetables, fish, olives, cheese, dried fruit, and nuts, that dieticians today in 2001 suggest for us to eat, they were never absent from the table(s) of our ancestors, almost 1000 years ago! What is the antidote for drunkenness? The Byzantines had discovered that a very simple/popular vegetable, the Radish, it was not only an appetizer, and an appetite enhancer, but also if it was mixed, in a creamy consistency, with wine it will eliminate the symptoms of drunkenness!
|
|
Greek Diet May Help You live Longer |
|
A study conducted by a team of Greek researchers on the
elderly inhabitants of three rural villages, provides new
scientific information and evidence on the benefits of
the Mediterranean dinner/lunch.
This information was collected on 82 men and women
over 70 years old.
Their diet included fruits, vegetables, grains, olive oil,
and moderate amounts of wine. Low intakes of meat,
mild and dairy products.
We have, in fact, embrace this new trend towards healthier
eating by adopting the types of cooking and foods that people
were eating hundreds of years ago, in the Greece and the rest
of the Mediterranean basin. Many studies conducted in the
in the United States and Europe has shown that this cuisine
is much better for your cardiovascular health than the typical
American diet. The Mediterranean pyramid was very recently
endorsed by the WHO (World Health Organization) and
existed for centuries in Greece, Italy and Spain.
|
|
Nabeel's Featured Product of the month |
|
Pistachio Nuts: Imported from Turkey and roasted in a Mediterranean way for ultimate flavor. With a perfect roasting in the old-fashioned way, can not only be the perfect gift for the Holidays, but also to use for any type of party. Available in 3 sizes; 2 pounds $12.00, 1 pound $6.00 and 3 pounds $18.00.
|
|
Recipe of the month! |
Pickled onion rings (Greek style)
The Greeks are passionate about onions; big ones, little ones, red ones, white ones, raw or cooked in almost everything. If you like to nip on raw onions, you will love these crunchy rings just as they are on plates of assorted appetizers. The longer they marinate the less hot and more flavored with the marinade they become.
Ingredients
4 large red onions (about 6 ounces each) cut into ¼ inch and separate the slices into rings
3 cups of boiling water
1 ½ cups of red wine vinegar
4 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of salt
1 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
Chopped Italian parsley (flat leaf) for garnish
Preparation
Place the onion rings in a bowl. Combine the boiling water, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper in a bowl. Pour over the onion rings. Cover and set aside for 6 to 24 hours in a room temperature. When ready remove the rings with a slotted spoon and sprinkle with parsley to serve. Yields 12-16 appetizer servings.
Enjoy many other fine Nabeel's recipes here! |
|
*** Gifts & Prizes *** |
Congratulations!
As a subscriber to the Nabeel's Newsletter, you're eligible for prizes and gifts.
Each month we'll draw for one free dinner ($15 value) at our award winning Nabeel's
Market & Café in Homewood, Alabama. Not located near enough to visit in person? No problem ... we'll send a surprise gift anyway! Invite your family and friends to visit us on the web today and sign up for their chance at monthly prizes too.
No warranty is expressed or implied about the
beneficial qualities of a Mediterranean diet.
You are subscribed to the Nabeel's Newsletter,
a monthly publication of Nabeel's Market & Cafe.
If you have received this in error, or wish to
unsubscribe, you may do so from our website.
|
