Kara's "Original Greek" Food Products

Feta and Olives drizzled with Olive Oil and Kara's Original Greek Herb

2010-03-11T10:53:00.002+02:00

Kara's Original Greek Herb is so versatile and tasty! And simple to use! Mix one Teaspoon of Kara's with one Tablespoon of the Olive Brine, and two Tablespoons of quality Olive Oil. Mix well and allow to stand for five minutes. Then mix again.
Place your Olives and Feta in a suitable serving dish. Then mix the dressing again, and drizzle over the Olives and Feta. Enjoy at sunset with a glass of Red Wine and a friend!

Kara's "Original Greek Herb Dressing"

2010-03-01T12:08:00.004+02:00

Kara's Original Greek Herb Dressing, our premium product. This classic recipe is Greek at its best, delicious on Lamb, Chicken and Fish, as well as other foods!
This dressing is brought to you with pride, and has been used in our family for generations, a celebration of flavor!
Use as a rub adding a squeeze of Lemon, a dash of Oil, and salt to taste. Or mix half bottle with 100ml lemon juice, 200ml oil & 10ml salt. Drizzle over your food & cook. Also stunning on chops, ribs & Mediterranean veg! Greek!
This tasty product contains oregano, garlic, mustard, black pepper, and rosemary.
Kara's Original Greek Herb Dressing contains no preservatives, colorants, stabilizers, or any other chemicals or additives of any description.
The 125ml recyclable glass bottle is sealed for your safety by means of a red strip seal.
We advise that the bottle be stored in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight.
And what did the Greeks discover? Astronomy, philosophy, democracy.. And Greek food of course! We love to get together with great food, fun, family and friends. Invite your family and friends to dinner, have fun. May you be blessed as we are blessed.
Greek!

Chicken Pieces and Potato Wedges, Roasted Greek Style

2010-02-23T09:46:00.002+02:00

This recipe is a hit, and so easy to prepare!
1 pack Chicken Pieces.
5 Medium Sized Potatoes.
250ml Oil. (Olive Oil, or Sunflower Oil, or a mixture of both)
125ml Lemon Juice.
60 ml Water (for humidity)
3 Teaspoons Kara's Original Greek Herb Dressing.
5ml Salt.
Mix all the herb dressing ingredients in a small container, and let the mixture stand while you prepare the chicken and potatoes.
Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees C.
Place the Chicken Pieces in a roasting tray. Simple!
Cut each medium potato into five wedges, and place into the roasting tray between the Chicken Pieces.
Mix the herb dressing very well, and drizzle the mixture over the Chicken Pieces and the Potato Wedges, ensuring all surfaces are well covered in the herb dressing mixture.
Place into your Pre-Heated oven and roast at 180 degrees C until golden brown and properly cooked, basting the chicken and potatoes with the contents of the roasting tray, every twenty minutes. Magic! Greek!
This recipe should serve five. Serve with a light fresh salad.

Some Greek Dancing To Set The Tone For A Fun Greek Evening!

2010-02-17T13:27:00.006+02:00

Delicious Mussel Starter, "Chico's" (Greek Herb with Lemon and Oil)

2010-02-15T15:46:00.010+02:00

My good friend Alberto "Chico" Chiaranda, brought me the most delicious fresh mussels from the rocks at his cottage on the South Coast of Natal, South Africa.
"Chico" had even taken the trouble to steam them, clean, and remove from the shells! What a treat!
This recipe calls for cleaned shelled mussels, approx 300 grams, so my preparation time was minimal, but follow these instructions should your mussels be fresh and in their shells.
Steaming and Cleaning:
Firstly, clean the mussels by removing as much of the beard or overgrowth as possible. A sharp knife and Goldilox Potscraper would do the job. Then rinse.
Place one cup of sea-water in a pot that has a tight fitting lid. Bring the water to the boil.
Place all the mussels in the pot, and place on the highest heat setting.
Steam the mussels for 2 to 3 minutes, remove from the heat source, and drain in a colander. Allow to cool. Remove and discard any mussel that has not opened.
Remove each mussel from its shell, cleaning each one individually, getting rid of any beard or grit. I then dip each shelled mussel in some clean sea-water to remove any trace of grit. Place all the cleaned mussels in a suitable dish for presentation, and chill.
The Dressing:
120ml Olive Oil
60ml Lemon Juice
1 Teaspoon Kara's Original Greek Herb Dressing
Half a Teaspoon Salt
Mix the ingredients of the dressing well, and pour over the mussels, then toss the mussels gently, ensuring that all the mussels are well coated in the dressing.
It's best to chill the mussels for an hour, and gently toss, every twenty minutes to ensure all the mussels have a turn at the bottom of the dish where the lovely lemony dressing is best!
Serve cold with health bread and butter. Or place the entire contents of the dish in a pan, and heat through on a high heat. (Do not over-cook! 1 minute max!)

Recipe - Greek Salad "Ala Kara's"

2010-02-09T11:33:00.007+02:00

Prepare your Greek Salad in the usual manner using lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green-pepper, onion, adding some feta and olives. Consider adding spring onions, finely sliced carrot, mushrooms, baby marrow, and assorted seeds for variety! Use whatever you have available! Its the dressing that will make the salad come alive!
Dressing:
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil.
1 Tablespoon Vinegar.(White, Brown or Balsamic), or Lemon Juice.
1 Teaspoon of Kara's Original Greek Herb Dressing.
Salt to Taste.
Mix the salad dressing ingredients well and pour over the salad.
Toss well, mixing all the ingredients.
This dressing is so simple, yet zingy and delicious! It will change the way you view salads!
Note: Feel free to skip the feta and olives, you then have a fine French Salad.
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

Roasted / Grilled Mediterranean Vegetables "Ala Kara's"

2010-02-08T14:38:00.008+02:00

Prepare your Mediterranean Veg in the usual fashion, washing well, and cutting up into pieces as you prefer.
Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees C.
Season your Mediterranean Veg in a baking / roasting pan as follows:
Seasoning:
6 Tablespoons Olive Oil.
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice.
2 Teaspoons of Kara's "Original Greek Herb Dressing."
Salt to Taste.
Toss the Mediterranean Veg well, ensuring all surfaces are well coated.
Roast or Grill until ready, check every 5 to 10 minutes, and turn the Veg as required, do not overcook or burn!
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

Greek Fish "Ala Kara's"

2010-02-08T14:37:00.004+02:00

Prepare your fish in the usual fashion.
Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees C, you may Bake or Grill uncovered.
Season your fish in a baking / roasting pan as follows:
Seasoning:
6 Tablespoons Olive Oil.
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice.
2 Teaspoons Kara's Original Greek Herb Dressing.
Salt to Taste.
Mix the seasoning ingredients well, and pour over the fish.
Ensure all surfaces are well coated in the seasoning.
Bake or Grill until ready, check every 5 minutes, as required, do not overcook or burn!
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

Greek Chicken "Ala Kara's"

2010-02-08T14:35:00.005+02:00

Prepare your Chicken in the usual fashion. using Breasts, Pieces, or Whole Chicken.
Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees C, Bake or Grill.
Season your Chicken in a baking / roasting pan as follows:
Seasoning:
6 Tablespoons Olive Oil.
3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice.
2 Teaspoons Kara's Original Greek Herb Dressing.
Salt to Taste.
Mix the seasoning ingredients well, and pour over your Chicken.
Ensure all surfaces are well coated.
Bake at 180 degrees C, or Grill, until ready, check every 15 minutes, as required, do not overcook or burn!
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

Greek Lamb "Ala Kara's"

2010-02-08T14:34:00.004+02:00

Greek Lamb "Ala Kara's" is our signature dish! Greek!
Prepare your Lamb roast in the usual fashion.
Pre-heat your oven to 145 degrees C.
Season your Lamb in a baking / roasting pan as follows:
Seasoning:
200ml Oil. (Sunflower Oil, or 100ml Sunflower Oil and 100ml Olive Oil.)
100ml Lemon Juice.
100ml Water.
Half Bottle Kara's Original Greek Herb Dressing.
10ml Salt.
Mix dressing well, let stand for 5 minutes, mix well again.
Pour the dressing over your Lamb, ensuring all surfaces are well coated.
Roast at 145 degrees C, coverered with a loose sheet of foil.
Baste every half hour, adding a cup of water should you require extra fluid. Do not let the roasting tray run dry, rather supplement moisture by adding a cup of water.
Remove the foil, and roast uncovered to brown during the last forty five minutes.
Carve when your Lamb is done to perfection, and soak the carved meat in the incredible flavour of the natural juices...
A good sized Leg of Lamb could take 3.5 to 4 hours using this method. Your roast Lamb should be tasty, tender, and delicious! Experience "The Taste"
This method is also ideal to roast Lamb Shanks, Shoulder, or Rack of Lamb.
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

We Are What We Eat, Herbs For Health

2010-02-08T14:28:00.003+02:00

"Researchers from the US Department of Agriculture have found that herbs are an abundant source of antioxidants and could provide potential anticancer benefits when supplementing a balanced diet.
The research, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, showed that herbs have higher antioxidant activity than fruits, vegetables and some spices, including garlic.
"Some herbs should be considered as regular vegetables," said Shiow Y. Wang, Ph.D., the study's lead researcher and a biochemist with the USDA's Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Md. "People should use more herbs for flavouring instead of salt and artificial chemicals."
Using various chemical tests, Wang studied and compared the antioxidant activity of 39 commonly used herbs grown in the same location and conditions. The study, which did not involve animal or human subjects, included 27 culinary and 12 medicinal herbs.
The herbs with the highest antioxidant activity belonged to the oregano family, the research showed. In general, oregano had three to 20 times higher antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied.
On a per gram fresh weight basis, oregano and other herbs ranked even higher in antioxidant activity than fruits and vegetables, which are known to be high in antioxidants. Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and four times more than blueberries, Wang said.
Other herbs were also found to be high in antioxidants, including dill, garden thyme, rosemary and peppermint.
The most active phenol component in some of the herbs with the highest antioxidant activity, particularly oregano, was rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant.
Antioxidants are a class of compounds thought to prevent certain types of chemical damage caused by an excess of free radicals, charged molecules that are generated by a variety of sources including pesticides, smoking and exhaust fumes. Destroying free radicals may help fight cancer, heart disease and stroke, researchers believe.
Fruits and vegetables have long been viewed as a rich source of antioxidant compounds. Health officials have been urging consumers for years to eat more fruits and vegetables in order to gain the health benefits of antioxidants, but progress has been slow, according to researchers. Westerners still tend to favour diets that are rich in fats and carbohydrates, they say.
More recently, researchers have begun to formally study the health benefits of herbs and spices. The two differ mainly by source. Herbs typically come from the leaves of plants. Spices come from the bark, stem and seeds of plants. Both have been used for thousands of years to flavour foods and treat illness."
Kara's "Original Greek" products contain high volumes of the herbs mentioned above, particularly Oregano, Rosemary and Garlic. Great for health it seems!

Mediterranean Vegetebles, Pan Fried, "Ala Kara's"

2010-02-08T14:22:00.015+02:00

Prepare your Mediterranean Veg in the usual fashion, washing well, and cutting up into pieces as you prefer. Include a few olives for a Greek touch. Place in a good quality pan.
Seasoning:
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil.
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice.
1 Heaped Teaspoon of Kara's "Original Greek Herb Dressing."
Salt to Taste.
Mix the seasoning ingredients well, then drizzle over the Mediterranean Veg.
Toss the Mediterranean Veg well, ensuring all surfaces are well coated.
Stir fry fairly quickly using a medium high heat setting, turning the veg regularly as required, do not overcook or burn! A variation on this recipe could include adding some feta pieces as you remove the pan from the heat source.
This recipe will make your vegetables come alive! Even kids love it!
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

Kara's "Original Greek Herb Dressing" - Our Premium Product

2010-02-08T14:14:00.006+02:00

Kara's "Original Greek Herb Dressing is our premium, or flagship product. We take pride in bringing you our "Original Greek Herb Dressing, a recipe used in our family for generations, a celebration of flavour!
Use as a rub adding a squeeze of lemon, a dash of oil, and salt to taste.
Or mix half bottle with 100ml Lemon Juice, 200ml Oil, and 10ml salt.
Drizzle over your food and cook. Great on lamb, chicken, fish, chops, ribs, and Mediterranean veg! Greek!
The premium product contains Oregano, Rosemary, Garlic, Mustard Seeds, and Black Pepper.
Contains no preservatives, colorants, or additives of any description. Should be stored in a cool dry place.
Kara's is supplied in an attractive 125ml bottle as per the image above, and has a Red Seal to ensure your product is unopened at point of sale.
And what did the Greeks discover? Astronomy, philosophy, democracy, and Greek Food of course!
We love to get together with great food, fun, family and friends. We are the first to bring you this incredible taste.
Invite your family and friends to dinner, have fun. May you be blessed as we are blessed.
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

"Καρά Αρχικό ελληνική Herb Dressing είναι πριμοδότηση μας, ή προϊόν ναυαρχίδα. Είμαστε υπερήφανοι για σας να" μας Αρχικό ελληνική Herb Dressing, μια συνταγή που χρησιμοποιούνται στην οικογένεια μας για τις γενιές, μια γιορτή της γεύσης!
Χρήση ως τρίψιμο προσθέτοντας μια συμπίεση του λεμονιού, μια παύλα του πετρελαίου, και το αλάτι σε γεύση.
Ή φιάλη ένα δεύτερο μείγμα με λεμόνι 100ml και 200ml Χυμός πετρέλαιο, 10ml και αλάτι.
Ψιλόβροχο πάνω από τα τρόφιμα και μάγειρας σας. Μεγάλη για αρνί, κοτόπουλο, ψάρι, μπριζόλες, τα πλευρά, της Μεσογείου και λαχανικά! Ελληνικά!
Το προϊόν περιέχει πριμοδότηση ρίγανη, δεντρολίβανο, σκόρδο, μουστάρδα σπόροι, και μαύρο πιπέρι.
Δεν περιέχει συντηρητικά, χρωστικές ουσίες, τα πρόσθετα ή οποιασδήποτε περιγραφής. Πρέπει να αποθηκεύονται σε δροσερό ξηρό χώρο.
Κάρα του παρέχεται σε ένα ελκυστικό 125ml μπουκάλι, σύμφωνα με τον παραπάνω εικόνα, και έχει ένα κόκκινο σφραγίδα για να εξασφαλίσει το προϊόν σας είναι χωρίς να έχει ανοιχτεί στο σημείο πώλησης.
Και τι έκαναν οι Έλληνες ανακαλύπτουν; Αστρονομία, φιλοσοφία, δημοκρατία, και την ελληνική Τροφίμων φυσικά!
Μας αρέσει να πάρει μαζί με υπέροχο φαγητό, διασκέδαση, οικογένεια και τους φίλους. Είμαστε οι πρώτοι που θα σας φέρει αυτή την απίστευτη γεύση.
Προσκαλέστε οικογένεια και τους φίλους σας για δείπνο, να διασκεδάσετε. Ενδέχεται να είστε ευλογημένοι όπως είμαστε ευλογημένοι.
"Κάρα Αρχικό ελληνικά," μια συνταγή οικογένεια έφερε σε σας από την οικογένεια. Ελληνικά!

"Kara's, It's Greek!" Cooking Competition! Send Your Recipes!

2010-02-08T14:12:00.012+02:00

Enter into the Spirit of Adventure, send your favourite Greek or Mediterranean Recipes to our "Kara's, It's Greek!" Cooking Competition!
Cooking features throughout our history, and for the Greeks our cooking is almost a philosophy.
We know that what makes a perfect feast is not just the food but also the good company. Food is nearly always prepared with the tastes of the guests in mind, should the dishes be roasted or fried, light or heavy? and the wine carefully chosen. Much of the conversation at the dinner table centres amicably around the food. The freshness of the fish , having just leaped from the sea; the vegetables newly dug from the ground or picked from the vines of the local farmers. The host will want to proudly point out how they have attempted to provide the best and freshest produce for you to enjoy.
And it's in this spirit that we host our cooking competition, we invite you to join in and become interactive.
The only condition is that the recipe must contain one of our Kara's Food Products, or be suitable for use with one of our products. Please send your magic recipes to awesome-group@mweb.co.za
We undertake to test appealing recipes, and to post them on this website should we find that your recipe "Has what it takes, The Taste!"
The competition cut off date is 30 December! The winner shall be treated to an exclusive Greek Hamper containing various products, as well as "Kara's" Food Products. The winner shall also be invited to have dinner with us as a family!
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

Contact: Kara's "Original Greek"

2010-02-08T14:09:00.007+02:00

Please feel free to direct all enquiries to +27835551355
Email: awesome-group@mweb.co.za
This product is to be freely available at many outlets as of 31 March 2010, and a list of retail outlets will be published on this website.
The product range is also being expanded and developed. More about that later!
Bona Fide Trade Enquiries are welcome, we are happy to send samples to genuine businesses in the Food / Retail / Deli / Catering Industries.
Ο επίσημος δικτυακός τόπος που εκπροσωπεί "Καρά Αρχικό ελληνικά," λέει την ιστορία πίσω από τη γεύση, συνταγές, τις χρήσεις, και πολλά άλλα! Απολαμβάνετε την έξοδο από ελληνικό ή Μεσογείου τροφίμων; Θα ερωτευτεί με Καρά του! Υγιή, φυσικά, Δεν Πρόσθετα, Δεν Συντηρητικά
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

About Kara's "Original Greek", The Story, The Taste, The Origin

2010-02-08T14:05:00.009+02:00

According to information passed from generation to generation, our Pnematicatos family originates from the Greek Island of Kefalonia, specifically from our Village called Pnevmatika, located centrally on Kefalonia. This is where all Pnematicatos or Pnevmatikatos originate from. Our grandparents then moved to Ithaca at some stage.
Nona came from main town of Vathy, and Nono came from little village of Stavros, and then moved on to South Africa in the mid 1900's, where they established a family business in Fish Hoek, in the Cape Peninsula.
They brought their proud traditions, Greek Food, and Greek Culture with them.
They prospered in their new adopted country, and called it home.
I still remember my Nona in her traditional black mourning clothes as she mourned the passing of Nono. She was the sweetest soul, she had time for me, and family was important to her.
The traditional Greek Lamb recipe was passed from generation to generation, and proudly handed from father to son.
And that's where the incredible taste of Kara's comes from. It was passed to me by my dad Epstathios, who is affectionately known as Papu to his grandchildren..
The idea to produce Kara's "Original Greek Herb Dressing" stems from the many visitors to our home pleading and begging for the recipe, after being treated to a delicious meal of Greek Lamb prepared by myself, or my father.
The popularity and taste grew to be a legend at our church functions and dinners, so much so, that people wanted to know if they could buy some!
They said, "Costa, what do you Greeks put in that sauce? Its amazing, you guys are the Original Greeks!"
I declined all requests to part with the recipe, but willingly invited folks to dinner, having lots of fun and family time around the dinner table.
And that's how the idea of Kara's was born..
But why the name "Kara's?" In Greek the name Kara means "Pure," and that's how we perceive the taste and the product. Pure and unchanged for generations!
Kara is also the name of my youngest daughter, and she especially loves her Greek Lamb, and "The Taste."
The first batch of Kara's "Original Greek Herb Dressing" was made by the family in 2005, and bottled on our dining room table!
The profile "About Me" in the Sidebar shows an image of my daughter Kara, with the first batch ever produced. A wonderful memory!
The name "Kara's" was successfully trademarked with the assistance of trademark attorneys Adams & Adams, in 2005.
Kara's "Original Greek" food products are proudly produced by Tamika Foods CC, a business owned, managed, and staffed by the original family.
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!

A Big Fat Greek Dinner Party, Food, Fun, Friends, and Family

2010-02-03T16:41:00.010+02:00

Yasou! To yours! The Greek toast for parties and special occasions.
I am proud of, and love my Greek heritage. Greek culture, food, fun, family, and friends are a passion for me, so here are a few suggestions for a Greek dinner party, and hospitality.
1. An Ouzo for each guest on arrival! Opa!
2. There definitely has to be Greek music. Greeks never celebrate anything without music and dancing. Find some Greek bozouki music perferably instrumental if you're going to play the music while dining. Gus Vali is good for instrumental dance music, even the soundtrack of My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a good mix!
3. Traditional Greek colors are blue and white. Simple and clean. They are not big on decorating so less is more. Just keep it blue and white.
4. Dinners are traditionally consumed later in the evening. So you may want to start with the appetizers first around 6:30 or 7:00 in the evening.
A great appetizer platter which can be served as a buffet can consist of the following:
Feta cheese, kasseri cheese, Cucumber slices, tomato wedges, Calamata and your regular black smooth olives, Salonika peppers, artichoke hearts marinated in lemon and oil, Dolmathes, and Tarama Salata, served with some bread and butter.
5. Serve any of the "Kara's" Lamb, Chicken or Fish dishes as the main course. See the Sidebar for recipes, under "Contents"
We love to get together with great food, fun, family and friends. We are the first to bring you this incredible taste.
Invite your family and friends to dinner, have fun. May you be blessed as we are blessed.
Kara's "Original Greek," a family recipe brought to you by the family. Greek!