The 199th celebration when Greeks all over the world celebrate a national holiday.
Today, March 25, is when Greeks remember their long struggle against the Ottoman Empire, an effort that eventually led to independence in 1821 (this date actually marks the beginning of the Greek War for Independence).
There will be no parades in 2020 but the blue and white flag will be flying to remember the Greeks’ act of resistance and the help from other countries who understood that without Greece’s influence, modern intellectual, artistic and scientific knowledge might not be as advanced as it is today.
In the Battle of Navarino, British, Russian, and French forces destroyed an Ottoman fleet and this major victory eventually led to the signing of the Treaty of Erdine which established an Independent Greek State.
How will you celebrate?
Our Olympic Holidays’ friend Stratos says he is going to make Bakaliaros Skordalia – that’s Greek fish and chips for his partner and traditional Greek fish and garlic mash for himself!
The fish takes 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
Here’s the recipe for four portions:
Ingredients
1.5 kg cod, salted, skin on (bones removed)
200g all-purpose flour
Seed oil
Salt
Pepper
Potatoes for mash or chips
For batter
500 ml water, at room temperature
500 g all-purpose flour
330 ml beer, at room temperature
18 gm yeast or 30 g baking powder
2 pinches granulated sugar
1 pinch salt
Method
Pat desalted cod with kitchen roll.
Cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Put 200 g flour in a container add salt and pepper.
Coat the fish in the flour mixture and shake off excess.
Add vegetable oil to a pan and heat to 180C (350F).
Dip the pieces of fish into the batter to coat completely.
Let excess batter drip off.
Carefully add the fish to the hot oil. Dip half of the piece into the oil, when it puffs up release into the pan.
Remove bits of batter to avoid burning.
Fry until golden on one side and turn so crunchy and golden on both sides.
When ready, remove from pan and place on kitchen roll.
Serve them in the traditional Greek way with potato garlic mash or English-style with chips.
Enjoy!