Olives, feta, garden fresh cut tomatoes, local herbs, warm toasty pita bread...and this view.  Three summers
ago, on the Island of Santorini.  The food, simple.  The views, breathtaking.  The heat, baking.  The tourists,
plentiful.  Really, who cares about throngs of vacationers and off the chart temperatures when you can admire
that vista.  A quick stop at a taverna for some drinks (mineral water with lime for me, Coca-Cola for the girls)
and a few plates in front of us, locally grown and cured olives...briny, oily, fruity, in a bath of good Greek Olive
oil , with an infusion of fresh wild thyme and rosemary picked from the craggy volcanic rocks which make up
this unique part of the world.  You are sitting on top of what is left of a volcano.  Very cool.  That volcanic soil
just does something good to whatever grows in it.   A small bowl of feta from a farm nearby...pungent and
salty..feta, good feta, is one of my favorite foods to eat.  Can't get enough of it.  If possible, buy a good artisinal
feta, or a fine Imported feta from Greece.  It's special. Some dried mountain oregano dressed the feta. 

Here is a picture Deb took of a Greek Orthodox Padre, possibly deciding on the Souvlaki or the Gyro...I hope
not the Beefburger, it doesn't go at all with the scene....

     The tomatoes were juicy and rich, just some salt and black pepper on them, chopped cucumbers circled
them.  A drizzle of olive oil, maybe a touch of vinegar...that's it.  Basket of warm pitas on the side, not the dreaded
pocket pitas (are they ever fresh anywhere?  do they always tear when you stuff them?)  but the round flatbread
type slightly charred from a wood burning fournos ( oven ).  If you can get your hands on some good vine
ripened tomatoes and cukes, just chop them up, lightly sprinkle with some crunchy sea salt (love that product
too,   http://www.salttraders.com/StoreFront.bok,   just one place to order from, have been satisfied with their
service and products), grind some black pepper on them...drizzle a good fruity olive oil over them.  Purchase
a small bottle of the Greek stuff.  Immerse yourself in the Hellenic Culture, even just for a simple snack or
meal.  Seek out the good pitas.  http://www.kronosproducts.com/p-bread1.html  look for that kind. then grill
it for a bit and get some charring on it.  Adds to the taste and texture.    A crisp Greek Wine, a pitcher of Iced
Tea, a chilled bottle of Mineral water with some lime, or...a Coke, and you are relaxing Santorini style. 
It's not always about big preparations and lots of ingredients....less is more....I can hear the multi-belled
tower peeling in the distance....and watch the Mediterranean tide come in and go out again...


There's the belfry?? hear it???
About the olives, a bottle of brined Kalamatas, from Greece or California,
drained.  chop finely a small shallot, and a few sprigs of Thyme or Rose-
mary,, ok , go crazy, use both...a pinch of hot pepper flakes and a nice
splash of Greek Olive Oil.  Let it sit AT ROOM TEMPERATURE for about 2
hours before serving. 


time to pack for Arkansas and St. Louis, i must leave Santorini now (ok, so I'm in New Jersey at home,
work with my fantasy here...), but you can visit it by creating the Mezes platter yourself, wherever you may be.