Rhodes Island also known as the “Knights’ Island”, has a rich history. Huge stone walls, stone-paved streets, and palatial mansions create a time travel to the period of Kings, Queens, and Knights. This island once upon a time housed one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes a massive statue of 105 feet representing the sun god Helios The statue was toppled by an earthquake around 225-226 BCE. The fallen Colossus was left in place until 654 CE when Arabian forces raided Rhodes, they had the statue broken up and the bronze was sold for scrap. The fragments totaled more than 900 camel loads Today a bronze doe stands on one side of the harbour entrance with a bronze stag on the other and it is said that it was in this place the Colossus of Rhodes stood before its fall.
This sun-kissed island is very popular for its delicious food. Meliasti is one such food which is full of warmth and sunshine. Soaked in honey with the crunch of toasted sesame the soft and salty Greek feta is a connoisseur’s delight.
The Greek feta is a white cheese made from sheep’s milk. Care is taken to graze the sheep in particular Greek pastures which have a rich biodiversity. The plethora of wild herbs and plants gives a natural and intense flavour to the cheese. Soft and compact it is aged in brine.
MELIASTI (Pan fried Feta cheese with sesame and honey) Recipe:
Ingredients for Meliasti:
- Greek Feta 200gms
- Filo Pastry2 Sheets
- Honey 2tbsp
- Sesame Seeds2 Tsp toasted
- Vinegar/Lemon Juice 1 Tbsp
- Olive Oil for pan-frying
- Water 1tbsp
Preparation Method:
- Cut the cheese into 4 equal size pieces about 1 cm thick.
- Place it on a clean kitchen towel to absorb moisture.
- Take a filo pastry sheet cut it such that the cheese portion can be wrapped into a parcel.
- Place the cheese in the centre and wrap into squares.
- Take a heavy-bottomed pan. Pour oil. When hot, lower the flame and place one parcel of cheese and fry till golden brown. Flip to fry the other side too and drain on an absorbent paper.
- Heat the honey, vinegar, and water in a pan until the mixture begins to bubble and the honey dissolves.
- Place the fried cheese on a serving dish, drizzle the honey mixture and liberally sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Delicious Meliasti is Ready 🙂
