Feta Complet
Photo © Rob Jones
OK so … it has to be done.
Let’s get this out of the way. I’m in Corfu. It’s Cheesy Tuesday.
Greek Salad. Starring Feta Cheese.
Bit of frou-frou greenery - I like a bit of peppery Rocket.
Diced Cucumber.
Sliced raw red onion - not too much.
Halved Black Olives.
Chopped fresh tomatoes.
Dices of Feta.
Drizzled with full-throated Olive Oil.
And sprinkled with some dried Oregano.
Yum.
It was what I craved on day one, and I hit the jackpot. Wandered along the coast from the seemingly forgotten resort of Roda in North Corfu, passing any number of closed up/shuttered beach bars and restaurants - the season doesn’t officially start until the 1st of May, regardless of how many confused bleached tourists wander up and down the seafront in search of sustainance.
Then found … Afros Taverna. (Αφρός Ταβέρνα)
I was clearly the first customer they had had this year. Gratefully welcomed in, and seated. All I wanted was a meagre Greek Salad and a Mythos beer. Dipping my toe in the culinary waters.
Ten minutes later — ten minutes spent gazing out over the astonishing blues of the Ionian/Adriatic seas, wondering at the height of the Albanian mountains, still smothered in a generous helping of snow — along comes a MASSIVE Greek Salad with a slab of Feta on top. The biggest I have every seen.
Gratefully consumed.
Then a conundrum … I really should have checked. I had assumed that payment would be contactless, using my phone … but no. Technology hadn’t reached that far up the beach.
I waved a 20 Euro note … which was batted away…
‘No change, no change.’
Oh …
A little bargaining sees me wandering away, slightly bemused, though pleasantly so, with a bottle of Ouso.
Not quite sure who came off best in that deal.
Anyhow, here’s things to know about Ouso…
It’s the National Drink of Greece.
It’s flavoured with Anise and Fennel.
Its name allegedly comes from a batch of the Tsipouro (local name) being sent to Marseille stamped with the marking Uso Massalia (for use in Marseille).
Greeks drink Ouso with ice and water - which makes it go cloudy. Add water first, then the ice.
Most Ouzo is ABV 80 Proof. Mayhem.
Hic.
RJ
