Recipe: Greek Spice Cake

Photo Courtesy of Taste of Home

Who doesn't love cake? The brown sugar, almond extract, cinnamon and cloves is what really gives this cake it's exotic taste. Serve it warm for a special treat. See, you can have your cake and eat it too! Opa!

Prep: 25 min.
Bake: 50 min. + cooling
Yield: 12 Servings

Ingredients
1 tablespoon shortening
2 tablespoons plus 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar

Directions

Grease 10-in. fluted tube/bundt pan with shortening; lightly coat with 2 tablespoons flour. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the sugars, oil, buttermilk, eggs and extracts until well blended. Combine the remaining flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves and baking soda; gradually beat into the sugar mixture until blended. Stir in pecans. Transfer to prepared pan.

Bake at 325° for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

If you try this recipe, be sure to tell us what  you thought in the comments!

10 Tourist Trivia Facts About Greece

We're bringing you a little bit of Greek Tourist Trivia. Maybe you have a trip to Greece in the future, maybe not. Either way, who doesn't love some fun trivia facts?

1. The official language in Greece is modern Greek, but in tourist areas English, French, German and Italian are also spoken.

2. Greece is eight hours ahead of Dallas, TX time.

3. For a stay of more than three months, a resident's permit must be obtained from the Aliens Bureau. Phone +30 (210) 7705 711.

4. Driving in Greece is on the right, and there are many car rental agencies in the various tourist centres. Tourists may use an International Driving Liscence if they wish to drive. Motorcycles are very commonly used in Greece and on the islands, for convenience reasons.

5. Greece uses the metric system, and the visitor from Anglo-Saxon countries which have not yet converted may find the following conversions usefull: 1 inch = approx. 25 mm 1 mile = approx. 1.6 km 77oF = approx. 25oC 1 kg = approx. 2.2 pounds

6. Shops and supermarkets in areas frequented by tourists are usually open all day long, from 9 am to 10 pm. A periptero is a sort of kiosk that sells all kinds of things, ranging from chocolate and chips, to batteries and magazines. These kiosks are very useful, they can be found easily and many are open 24 hours / day.

7. Water in all areas where tourists are likely to find themselves is chlorinated and perfectly safe to drink. Yet bottled water, you will find, is very popular, primarily for convenience reasons.

8. The sun in Greece is very bright and strong. In fact, most TV channels interrupt their regular summer program several times per day to broadcast Sunbathing Report. This report will tell you how long it is advized that you stay in the sun according to the time of day and your geographic location all around Greece.

9. There are no restrictions on amateur fishing, and visitors can even indulge in underwater speargun fishing without a licence, as long as they stay at least 200 meters away from the shore. When spear fishing, it is advised to go in pairs.

10. The drinking age in Greece is 16. The drinking age here at Ziziki's in Dallas and Plano, is 21. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 to 6pm. Come join the fun!

The History of Happy Hour

The term Happy Hour actually has its roots in Navy slang from the 20s, when the time for the scheduled period of entertainment on-ship was referred to as the happy hour. After the National Prohibition Act was instituted in 1919, speakeasies adopted the term for the hours patrons arrived to drink illegal cocktails prior to eating at restaurants that observed the prohibition. The term then began to be applied to the consumption of illegal liquor before dinner in the home as well.

Happy Hour really kicked into gear thanks to an article in a 1960s Saturday Evening Post issue where the Navy's scheduled entertainment time was mentioned. Bars and restaurants latched onto the concept to increase alcohol sales. 

Typically held between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Happy Hour evolved into an after work event where co-workers would get together at the end of a work day to socialize and relieve stress. Every local tavern and popular restaurant boasted a happy hour of sorts, often offering cocktails at a discount for those hours.

The best Dallas happy hour is here at Ziziki’s is Monday through Friday from 4-6pm. Come blow off some steam with us.

Considering Going GREEK This Fall?

For some people, being part of a fraternity or sorority is a major part of their college identity. Like most things in life, Going Greek can be a mixed bag.

There are several considerations to being involved in Greek life:

1. Cost: This isn't something people give much thought too beforehand, but joining Greek life comes with some built-in expenses. Some costs include a recruitment fee, house fees and dues, a sorority pin, and social functions for both student and family. Many of these are optional, of course, but some are definitely not.

2. Alcohol use: Excessive and underage drinking is a common problem on college campuses in general, but peer pressure to drink can be even higher within the Greek system. This is something that many students deal with when they go to college, and certainly is something worth considering before deciding to join a fraternity or sorority.

3. Limitations: It's easy to let the Greek system become your entire world. Living in a fraternity or sorority gives you a place to belong at college, but it can become limiting as well. Remember to be involved outside of your sorority too.

4. Connections: Greek life is not the only way to meet new people, but it is one of the easiest ways. Being a part of a fraternity or sorority gives you an instant connection with a large group of people, and that network will continue to grow.

5. Events: Being in a sorority or fraternity provides many opportunities to engage in all kinds of events and activities, such as Homecoming Week, themed parties, serenades, philanthropy events, and theatrical productions. If these sound up your alley, definitely consider going Greek. Keep in mind, however, that some of these things can become major time commitments.

6. Belonging: It sounds cheesy, but a sorority or fraternity can become a home away from home, just as a dorm, group of friends, or campus organization can. Especially if moving into the house, my sorority sisters or brothers become the ones with whom you share everything—failed tests, lazy Sundays, new jobs, broken hearts, and game days, to name a few.

Before you go through recruitment, however, consider whether you will be comfortable living in a house with 70 other women or men. It is definitely a new experience, especially if you didn't grow up with siblings.

7. Stereotypes: It is undeniable that there are certain stereotypes associated with Greek life. There are people who will judge you for being in a sorority, or for which house you join. The important thing to remember is that each house has all types of students, so you shouldn't put too much stock in those who make assumptions about fraternity men or sorority women. This is another reason to be involved outside of your sorority. It can be just as rewarding to participate in activities that have to do with your academic focus or other interests.

Ziziki’s would be pleased to have you and your brothers or sisters come to dinner one night to celebrate. Remember - It’s fun to GO GREEK!

Recipe Week: Greek Yogurt Chocolate Truffles

Last week we gave you some great info on Greek yogurt. How about trying your hand at a treat made with that nutritious and delicious staple?

This truffle recipe gets rave reviews by everyone who tries it. They simply melt in your mouth. These are quite rich. Just one is sure to cure that chocolate craving.

Ingredients:
- 4 teaspoons of fat-reduced cocoa powder + some extra cocoa to roll the truffles
- 1 tablespoon of fat free Greek yogurt
- 5 tablespoons of powdered skim milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 5 drops of butter flavoring
- 3 teaspoons of artificial sweetener

Directions:
Mix everything together. Add extra powdered skim milk if necessary until the paste reaches a firm consistency. Put aside in the fridge for a few hours. Before serving them, roll the balls in cocoa powder.

If you try this recipe, be sure to tell us about it in the comments. 

Greek Yogurt: Better than Regular Yogurt?

Move over, regular yogurt. Going Greek is in! This exotic option has elbowed its way onto refrigerator shelves everywhere. Most give a big thumbs up to its taste—tangier and less sweet, as well as creamier—but is it healthier than its conventional counterpart?

Both Greek and regular yogurt, in their plain, nonfat or low-fat forms, can be part of a healthful diet. They're low in calories and packed with calcium and live bacterial cultures. But our Mediterranean friend—which is strained extensively to remove much of the liquid whey, lactose, and sugar, giving it its thick consistency—does have an undeniable edge. In roughly the same amount of calories, it can pack up to double the protein, while cutting sugar content by half. 

For someone who wants the creamier texture, a little bit of a protein edge, and a sugar decrease, going Greek is definitely not all hype. And it's really got a following: In the past five years, Greek yogurt sales nationwide have skyrocketed.

Here's a closer look at how the two stack up nutrition-wise.

Protein. Greek yogurt is high in protein, which helps promote fullness. A typical 6-ounce serving contains 15 to 20 grams, the amount in 2 to 3 ounces of lean meat. That makes it particularly appealing to vegetarians, who sometimes struggle to get enough of the nutrient. An identical serving of regular yogurt, on the other hand, provides just 9 grams.

Carbohydrates. Going Greek is a smart choice for low-carb dieters. It contains roughly half the carbs as the regular kind—5 to 8 grams per serving compared with 13 to 17. Plus, the straining process removes some of the milk sugar, and lactose. 

Fat. Be wary of Greek yogurt's fat content. In just 7 ounces, Fage's full-fat Greek yogurt packs 16 grams of saturated fat—or 80 percent of your total daily allowance if you're on a 2,000-calorie diet. Dannon's regular full-fat yogurt has 5 grams of saturated fat in an 8-ounce serving. If you're going Greek, stick to low-fat and fat-free versions.

Sodium. A serving of Greek yogurt averages 50 milligrams of sodium—about half the amount in most brands of the regular kind. 

Calcium. Regular yogurt provides 30 percent of the federal government's recommended daily amount. Greek yogurt loses some of its calcium through the straining process, but still packs a wallop. A 6-ounce cup typically supplies about 20 percent of the daily recommendation. 

Most experts agree that Greek yogurt has a nutritional edge. The key is sticking to plain, nonfat, or low-fat varieties.

When you do opt for Greek yogurt, take advantage of its versatility. Mix it with seasonings like garlic, dill, and parsley to create a unique dip for carrots, celery sticks, or cucumber slices. Toss in some berries or high-fiber granola. You can also substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream on tacos, for example, or for the eggs and oil in baked goods. It's an acceptable replacement for fatty ingredients like cream cheese, mayonnaise, and butter.

Thanks to Dallas News's Eats Blog!

If you keep up with the Eats Blog over at Dallas News, you probably know a little inside information about a little something we're working on here at Zizikis.

Wait, you haven't heard of Eats Blog? This is where the Dallas Morning News Restaurant Critic Leslie Brenner, Morning News Taste writers and arts staffers share news, updates and reviews from the Dallas dining scene. If you're a foodie living in DFW, you'll want to make their blog one of your frequent stops on the web.

Last month, Leslie wrote about The Commissary closing it's doors. In the same post she writes 'Costa and Mary Arabatzis, owners of Ziziki’s Restaurants, plan to open a Greek place, Meze, in the space in September.'

So there you have it...our surprise is out! We hope you're as excited as we are!