Simple Greek Cretan Dakos Recipe You Must Try

Growing up on the island of Crete, this was one of my favorite dishes. It captures everything I love about Cretan food - simple, fresh, and full of flavour. Although you can't always find barley rusk in the UK, you can actually make this with seeded bread too! Cretan Dakos tastes like summer on a plate.

What is Cretan Dakos?

Dakos is a traditional dish from Crete made with barley rusks, fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil. This dish is not only simple but also showcases how basic ingredients can be tasty and nourishing. Dakos is often served as a meze or light meal and is a crowd-pleaser that brings the essence of the Mediterranean to your table.

Ingredients for Cretan Dakos Recipe

For two servings of Dakos, gather the following ingredients:

• 2 barley rusks (kritarokouloures) or 2 slices of sourdough bread or seeded bread

• 3 ripe tomatoes, peeled

• Extra virgin olive oil

• 30 g white vinegar

• Fresh oregano leaves

• A pinch of sugar

• Salt to taste

• 150 g crumbled feta cheese

• 50 g capers

  
  

Instructions:

1. Wash and carefully peel the tomatoes with a knife.

2. Place one of the peeled tomatoes in a blender along with: some olive oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and fresh oregano leaves.Blend lightly until smooth and well combined.

3. Finely chop the other two tomatoes, keeping all their juices in a bowl.

4. Mix the chopped tomatoes with the tomato dressing from the blender.

5. Place the barley rusks on a serving plate and drizzle them with olive oil. Spoon the tomato mixture over the top, allowing the rusks to soak up the flavorful juices.

6. Just before serving, sprinkle over the crumbled feta cheese, the capers, and a few extra drops of the vinegar for an aromatic finish. Enjoy your Dakos!

   
   

Recipe Tips

• If you don’t have barley rusks, you can use whole-grain bread rusks instead. Break them into pieces by hand if you like.

• Do not soak the rusks with water! Let the tomato juices naturally soften them — that’s what gives Dakos its authentic flavor.

• Don’t skip the sugar! It balances the tomato’s acidity beautifully.

Are you looking for guidance from a registered dietitian to help with meeting your health/fitness goals or manage a health concern like type 2 diabetes, or other dietary needs? Get in touch for expert support tailored to your goals! Book your appointment here

Joanna Tsintaris, Specialist Dietitian & Biomedical Scientist

Joanna Tsintaris, is the Founder of Nourish Dietitian —an online health and nutrition clinic offering personalized 1:1 dietetic advice. She is a registered Dietitian in the UK and Biomedical Science graduate with first class MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics. Specializing in weight loss and Type 2 Diabetes with an interest in sports nutrition, Joanna empowers clients to make sustainable lifestyle changes, addressing conditions like pre-diabetes, PCOS, and more. With a holistic approach, she fosters a healthier relationship with food, challenges weight stigma, and rejects diet culture. Her clinical expertise, coupled with a commitment to evidence-based practice, ensures clients receive compassionate and person-centered care. Beyond her professional pursuits, Joanna, embodies the principles of holistic well-being in her own life, whether practicing yoga, enjoying brunch, or savoring moments with coffee in hand.