Passport to Love: Ancient Greece

This month's Passport to Love trip took us to Ancient Greece.  I'm having so much fun planning and setting up these "trips" and it's been neat to come up with coordinating meals from that country.

I probably shouldn't draw attention to it, but my "grape leaves" ended up being oak leaves since that was all they had in stores for the season. :P

My handsome date :) 

(no, weren't wearing togas :P)

On the menu:

Greek Roast Leg of Lamb: 

Leg of lamb marinated overnight with rosemary, oregano, garlic, red wine and lemon and then roasted with a garlic, mustard herb rub.

Couscous salad: 

Couscous, kalamata olives, feta, fresh basil, and sun dried tomatoes tossed in a homemade garlic, balsamic, and olive oil dressing

Flatbread:

Homemade with spelt flour and freshly baked on a baking stone

Hummus:

My own recipe with garlic, salt, olive oil and lemon juice for a slight tang

Kalamata Olives

And for dessert, I didn't even try to make something Greek with all the substitutions I'd have to do to make it "diet approved" so I went with a household favorite: Apple Pastry!

I made it with a slightly different crust and used spelt flour (I'm testing to see if I will react to it since it's wheat-free but not gluten-free but works much more like true wheat flour)

The meal was a success which was a relief since I've never cooked lamb before.  I'm typically not a huge fan of lamb, but I've discovered that when it's well seasoned and cooked well, it's actually quite tasty.  The past few times people have made it for me, I've enjoyed it which is why I was adventurous enough to try it myself.  I thought the marinade made it very flavorful and I was quite satisfied with the result.  Of course, my husband's "mmm's" and remarks of approval definitely helped to convince me. :)

We finished the evening off by watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding since I couldn't think of any other Greek movies.  (If watching it, I'd suggest watching it with a movie filter, we use VidAngel.com, so you don't have to sit there squirming at some of the innuendo, immodesty and extended kissing scenes)

We haven't had a date night out in a little while, mainly due to lack of opportunity, so these home date nights have been a great way of reconnecting with each other.  It not always easy with a toddler to prepare for and carry it out, but dinnertime becomes a bit later and his bedtime a little earlier on these nights.  It's only once a month so it's really not that much if I'm thinking ahead and preparing so I'm not scrambling last minute.  I also try to give him a heads up since it's middle of the week and, it being a work night, he can prepare himself for it and look forward to something different.  

They're a lot of fun too, and the re-connection we feel toward each other afterwards is so worth the work!  He's touched by the work I've put in and is always so appreciative of it, and I appreciate and am touched by his response.  I get such a high watching him enjoy himself and seeing him get excited and I appreciate that he notices all the small details and is sure to let me know how grateful he is.

I'll leave you with a little something from the other night...these guys always have me cracking up!  I just love my boys. :)

Hope you all have a great weekend!

~Lindsay