点评:If you find yourself in Paros, you really have to consider cooking classes with Maria. This activity was part of the itinerary for my group tour (Road Scholar) of Greece. When I looked at our daily schedule, I thought this would be just “filler;” and I would somehow get through it. But in the end, I have to say it was one of the funnest things I have done on any trip, and certainly memorable. After donning our chef’s clothing, and washing our hands (which we did frequently), we broke up into groups to prep the vegetables, and some sauces. After that, Maria brought us together to show what the others in our group had just done and how. She then used this material to demonstrate each of the recipes for the items we would later be eating at lunch. This required we get “hands on” again to complete the dishes. Everything was choreographed very well with the help of many assistants who kept things on track (and while we were drinking wine and taking pictures). Items that required heating were assembled first, and those that didn’t were completed last; so that by the time we had some more wine and engaged in some Greek dancing around the kitchen, it was time to eat ! I was amazed by how many things we made and how quickly. We made baked stuffed tomatoes, grape leaves, Moussaka, Tzatziki, Greek potato salad, just to name a few. I was surprised by the technique for making Baklava using a dowel rod, and by the recipe which used olive oil and nuts between layers rather than butter (although still covered with the nice sweet syrup). This made for a lighter tasting, and likely, healthier Baklava. We were later sent an email with all of the recipes, plus many more, to make at home. I have already purchased Phyllo dough to make her recipe for Baklava at home. From what I could tell, everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly- all of the guys included. I hope you get to check it out !
翻译:如果你来到了帕罗斯岛,真的应该考虑参加玛丽亚举办的烹饪课。这项活动是我所参加的希腊团体游(Road Scholar组织)行程的一部分。当初看到日程安排时,我以为这只是个“凑数”的项目,随便应付一下就行了。但最后我不得不说,这是我在历次旅行中做过的最有趣的事情之一,绝对令人难忘。穿上厨师服、洗过手之后(我们频繁地洗手)……我们分成小组来准备蔬菜和各种酱料。之后,玛丽亚把大家召集到一起,展示组内其他成员的准备工作及其操作方式。接着,她以这些材料为例,逐一演示了我们稍后在午餐时要食用的各道菜肴的制作方法。这需要我们再次亲自动手才能完成菜肴。在整个过程中,众多助手协助维持秩序,确保一切顺利进行(而我们则一边喝着酒、一边拍照)。需要加热的菜品先制作,不需要加热的则最后完成;等我们又喝了些酒、在厨房里跳了一会儿希腊舞蹈后,正好到了开饭的时间!我惊讶于我们居然做了这么多菜,而且完成得如此迅速。我们做了酿烤番茄、葡萄叶包肉、穆萨卡、酸奶黄瓜酱、希腊土豆沙拉等等。至于用木棒来制作巴克拉瓦的技巧,也让我大感惊奇。以及那种在层与层之间使用橄榄油和坚果而非黄油的配方(不过表面仍然淋上了美味的甜糖浆)。这样做出来的巴克拉瓦口感更清爽,或许也更健康。后来我们收到了一封邮件,里面有所有食谱,还有更多可以在家制作的食谱。我已经买好了千层酥皮,准备在家按照她的配方制作巴克拉瓦。就我所见,每个人都玩得非常开心——包括那些男孩子们。希望你们也有机会去体验一下!