Greek vacation part 1

Our vacation is over and we had planned to write a blog DURING the vacation and add pictures and maybe recipes.  But as we say in Greece when you make plans God is laughing, meaning that sometimes you can't really stick to what you planned.  And so it happened that we are back in UAE, and instead of giving you an immediate taste of Greece we will give you a summary in parts of our vacation there and of course pictures will enhance the experience :) It's not that we neglected to write...it was some personal issues as well as really no time to write at all!  We didn't manage to travel much either.  We wanted to go to my mother's village after Kostas came but unfortunately we couldn't.
However we did take a day trip to Nestos River.  Although it is very close to our town I have to say that the last time I went there was maybe when I was 12 or 13, and that was with a school field trip.  Since then, it has been some time yes, a lot has changed.  They have taken advantage of the area there and they are promoting a sort of ecotourism with lots of different river activities.  The "beach" as they call it is truly amazing. 

   
 The river flows by and the water is crystal clear!  I haven't seen such a clear water in a long time!  There were people swimming and we decided to do so as well...but the water was COLD!  And not cold like you say hey the water is cold!  Noooo!  The water was like ice cold!  But because of the heat outside it was very much welcomed :)  The scenery around the river is also wonderful.  With the mountains around the river and green everywhere!  So truly beautiful...There are pictures so you can get a little taste.  If you are ever in Northern Greece please do try and visit Nestos River...it is a unique place.  
Back to UAE now and the only thing that we could bring with us apart from our memories and pictures were lots of goodies we can cook and share :)  One of the things we brought was lima beans.  We call them the giant bean because, well, you get the point.  Now people ask us why do you bring beans with you?  You can't find lima beans where you are?  Sure I can!  But the lima beans grown in Prespes (a northern area in Greece) are in my opinion the best!  They don't melt and become like a puree.  Instead they remain whole and when you eat them the sweetness of the bean explodes in you mouth.  We eat them during the colder months.  So, to start the "fall" season in UAE I decided to cook them and share the recipe.  One of my mom's favourite food and since she is here I said why not?  Oh yeah I brought my mom with me too :)  
We hope you enjoy the pictures and recipes!  We apologise for taking so long to write but we are back with new ideas :)
As always Kali Oreksi
Dia, Kostas and of course Tony who we missed so much!!!

Gigantes plaki

Ingredients for 6 people:

• 700g gigantes beans (lima beans)
  
• 235g carrots sliced
  
• 170g onion shredded
  
• 400g tomato sauce
  
• 100ml olive oil
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 1/4 tsp pepper
  
• 1450ml water
  

for more information on how to make Gigantes plaki please click here