Pontic Greek cuisine: the most common foods, ingredients, and dishes presented in cookbooks and folklore literature

Introduction The Pontic Greeks, besides their long and distinguished history, have a special and important culture and identity, elements of which are still preserved and active by their descendants a century after their settlement in Greece. One element of their identity and culture is their basic yet diverse cuisine, which is an important and recognized local cuisine in contemporary Greece. This study aimed to identify the most common foods, ingredients, and dishes found in Greek Pontic Cuisine. Methods Six cookbooks, two cooking magazines, four folklore books, and four folklore magazines were reviewed in this study. A considerable amount of data was collected and processed using a text analysis tool. Results and discussion The study provides the most frequently encountered dishes, foods, and ingredients that feature in the publications. The most common dishes are soups, including tanomenon sorva (soup with coarse grains, salty strained yogurt, and mint). Among other dishes, siron (a pre-baked filo-based pastry dish), chavitz (a thick corn dish resembling porridge), and foustoron (an omelet with fresh cow butter) are quite common. Common staples are anchovies and greens. In cookbooks and cookery magazines, ingredients include butter, wheat, eggs, tomatoes, milk, bulgur, corn-flour, and cheese. Meanwhile, the study publications are an excellent way of passing down traditional food knowledge intergenerational, as they are largely descended from Pontic Greek progenitors. Conclusion After analyzing all the publications, it was declared that dairy products, grains, and vegetables were commonly used in Pontic cuisine. It was concluded that cookbooks are crucial for the preservation of the Greek Pontic culinary tradition.

Studying the effect of tomato pomace incorporation on physicochemical, nutritional and storage characteristics of corn-based extrudates using response surface approach

PurposeThe present research was envisaged with an aim to optimize the system and the product responses for the development of tomato pomace-incorporated corn-based extrudates employing central composite rotatable design and determine its proximate, lycopene, consumer acceptability and storage studies.Design/methodology/approachLycopene-rich extrudates were developed from corn flour blended with different levels of tomato pomace. The independent extrusion variables, namely, feed composition (95:5 to 75:25), feed moisture (12–20%), screw speed (200–600 rpm) and barrel temperature (125–185 °C), were studied to determine their influence on dependent variables, namely, specific mechanical energy, hardness, water solubility index, lateral expansion, water absorption index, bulk density and color.FindingsAll of the quality parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by independent variables. The regression models obtained for all the responses showed high coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.85–0.95). The optimum conditions for the development of tomato pomace-incorporated corn-based extrudates were feed composition (90:10), feed moisture (14%), screw speed (300 rpm) and barrel temperature (170 °C). The moisture, fat and carbohydrate contents of the extrudates were significantly reduced, whereas protein, ash and fiber were significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced after the incorporation of tomato pomace. Aluminum laminates were found to be the suitable packaging materials for extrudates for a period of 120 days in comparison to high-density polyethylene packages.Originality/valueAs far as the authors could possibly know, scanty literature exists wherein the tomato pomace has been utilized for the development of lycopene-rich corn-based extruded snacks. Such extrudates with significantly higher fiber and lycopene contents than corn flour will serve as a suitable alternative for the development of shelf-stable ready-to-eat extruded snacks.

Gluten-Free Pasta Enriched with Fish By-Product for Special Dietary Uses: Technological Quality and Sensory Properties

Gluten-free pasta enriched with fish can support a nutritive and suitable option for people with celiac disease that allows achieving the benefits of fish consumption, especially the consumption of Ω-3 fatty acids; however, this requires that the pasta has adequate technological and sensory properties. For this purpose, four optimal formulations, obtained with an iterative process, were analyzed to determine the effect of the different ingredients (yellow corn flour, white corn flour, and rice flour) in gluten-free pasta compared to commercial wheat pasta. An evaluation of the color, texture, and technological properties were conducted, and the pasta was sensorially characterized. The enriched gluten-free pasta required shorter cooking times (≈3 min) and was characterized by lower hardness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness, and fracturability, and had higher values of adhesiveness than wheat pasta. In addition, the incorporation of yellow corn gives gluten-free pasta a similarity in color to commercial pasta, with a value of ∆E between 5.5 and 8.0. Regarding the sensory analysis, gluten-free pasta was characterized by slight fishy aromas and flavors with some aftertaste compared to commercial pasta. Finally, the use of different cereals to obtain gluten-free pasta could be a good and feasible alternative despite the technological and sensory modifications observed.

Production and Physicochemical Characterization of Analog Rice Obtained from Sago Flour, Mung Bean Flour, and Corn Flour Using Hot Extrusion Technology

Extrusion technology allows the preparation of analog rice, an artificial product made of carbohydrate sources other than rice, with characteristics similar to natural rice. In this study, we aimed at determining the effect of composition and temperature on the nutritional content of analog rice obtained using heat extrusion technology. The physical properties and acceptability of the resulting product were also studied. Skim milk, sago, mung bean, and corn flour as well as the binder carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were used. The procedure was conducted in four stages: raw-material preparation, formulation, physicochemical evaluation, and sensory property evaluation. The best analog rice formula was established as 50% sago flour, 30% corn flour, 19.2% mung bean flour, 0.4% skim milk, and 0.4% CMC. The panelists’ most preferred rice analog formula was the one with the highest sago starch and skim milk content. The extrusion temperature did not significantly affect the nutrient content. However, it had a considerable impact on the thermal profile and physical properties, such as appearance and granular morphology.

Effect of addition corn flour, millet flour and pumpkin seed flour on the properties of gluten-free gingerbread

This article presents the development of a recipe for gluten-free gingerbread using secondary raw materials and cereals that normalize the intestinal micro flora. The gluten-free gingerbread recipes included the following gluten-free raw materials: corn flour (CF), millet flour (MF), pumpkin seed flour (PSF). The formulation was used as gingerbread «Limon» of wheat dough as a control sample. Prescription gluten-free components and their ratio were selected based on the analysis of data from domestic and foreign sources, taking into account the functional orientation and consumer properties. Laboratory baking of gingerbread was carried out with a complete replacement of wheat flour in the recipe for a different ratio of gluten-free flour mixture CF:MF:PSF - 40:40:20 and 35:35:30. To evaluate the obtained gingerbread, organoleptic and physicochemical methods of analysis were used. The organoleptic properties and physicochemical properties of the control sample and samples of gluten-free mixtures were compared. It has been found that replacing wheat flour with a gluten-free flour mixture generally improves the properties of gingerbread. We determined the rational ratio of gluten-free flour ingredients for the production of gingerbread CF:MF:PSF - 35:35:30.

Preparación y Usos de la Harina de Maíz en Antojitos Regionales en el Municipio de Escárcega, Campeche, México

Corn, as it is said in Mexico (Zea mays L.) is an annual grass native to America, specifically from the central-western region of Mexico. There is a great diversity of varieties of corn. Ethnic groups and farmers have selected this crop for thousands of years for different uses, and have created and preserved the right types of corn for specialized uses. Based on all of the above, the objective of this research was to identify the processes of the preparation of corn flour (masa) and its uses in the gastronomy of the southern state of Campeche, Mexico. In order to achieve the research, a total of 28 establishments were visited, 10 dedicated to the production of corn flour (masa) and 18 focused on the preparation of regional snacks based on corn masa. Basically two ways of preparing corn flour were observed. Similarly, for the preparation of the dough to make regional snacks, four styles were identified. In the city of Escárcega 14 different types of regional snacks are sold. Fried or comal empanadas are the ones in greatest demand. The south of the state of Campeche presents a gastronomic wealth in the preparation of regional snacks, since it has influences from the central and southern communities of Mexico, so it is important to consider the area as an area rich in its gastronomy. El maíz, como se dice en México (Zea mays L.) es una gramínea anual originaria de América, concretamente de la región centro Occidente de México. Existe una gran diversidad de variedades de maíz. Los grupos étnicos y agricultores han seleccionado este cultivo por miles de años para diferentes usos, y han creado y conservado los tipos adecuados de maíz para usos especializados. Con base en todo lo anterior, el objetivo de la presente investigación fue identificar los procesos de la preparación de la harina de maíz (masa) y sus usos en la gastronomía del sur del estado de Campeche, México. Para el logro de la investigación se visitaron en total 28 establecimientos, 10 dedicados a la elaboración de la harina de maíz (masa) y 18 enfocadas a la preparación de antojitos regionales a base de masa de maíz. Se observaron básicamente dos formas de preparar harina de maíz. De igual forma para la preparación de la masa para elaborar antojitos regionales fueron identificados cuatro estilos. En la ciudad de Escárcega se comercializan 14 tipos diferentes de antojitos regionales. Las empanadas fritas o al comal son las de mayor demanda. El sur del estado de Campeche presenta una riqueza gastronómica en la preparación de antojitos regionales, ya que presenta influencias de comunidades centro y sur de México, por lo que es importante considerar al área como una zona rica en su gastronomía.

An Effort to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of corn farmers' production in Sidomulyo Village, Samarinda

Corn farming communities in the Anggana sub-district usually harvest dry corn every 2-3 months and resulting about 200-700 kg. However, there are a very limited number of corn shellers and corn grinders used by 14 farmer groups, and inefficient. To overcome this, a new machine is needed to peel and grind corn with the results of whole corn cobs. The goal is to simplify the work of the farmers, increase the productivity of corn flour production and save costs. The method used in this training by demonstrating how to peel and grind corn using a machine. The women farmer group participated in the training with enthusiasm and at the end of the activity they were able to use the corn sheller and grinder, correctly. The community service team also donated corn shellers and grinders to partners.

Study of the effect of vegetable raw materials on the rheological parameters and vitamin composition of pasta

In this article, the rheological and vitamin composition of the dough prepared by adding nettle flour and corn flour as non-traditional raw materials to the composition of pasta under laboratory conditions is studied. The results of previous studies of dioecious nettle have shown that the plant contains a certain amount of carotene, calcium, formic acid and panthenonic acid. These indicators indicate an improvement in the vitamin composition of pasta prepared according to the new recipe. The rheological quality of the dough, the vitamin composition of the finished product prepared according to the first sample, including 20% corn flour and 2% nettle flour (Urtica dioca L) in the recipe, show that the quality of this sample is better than that of the control and second sample, and is approved as an effective sample for the preparation of new types of pasta.