MEDIA RELEASE: DEC 2010

IT’S GREEK TO ME FOODS

TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA

CONTACT: MICHAEL HOULLIS

OFFICE: 727-934-1565

CELL: 727-480-6529

WEBSITE: www.itsgreektomefoods.com

Greek Chicken Lemon Soup Growing Quietly And Quickly In Niche Soup Market!

Traditional Greek Soup recently made available in a can for the first time is being discovered

by Mainstream America, and major retailers led by Publix are taking notice.

“It’s Greek To Me Foods”, a rapidly growing company based in Tarpon Springs, Florida began introducing Greek Style Chicken Lemon Soup to mainstream America via a ready-to-eat can in late 2007. The soup which has been around for generations in Greek homes had never been available in a ready-to-eat grocery version until then.

Marketing began by introducing and sampling the soup at Greek Festivals around the state of Florida. Small retailers in the World renown Greek Community of Tarpon Springs began selling it and major retailers began to take notice as they were swamped by mainstream consumer demand in neighboring communities. The Publix in Tarpon Springs offered it first in May of 2009. Publix included it in 37 stores in the Fall soup Planogram and expanded it to another 33 stores in the course of the year. The soup was recently expanded to 256 more Publix stores canvasing the majority of stores from central Florida, East and West and South to the Florida Keys.

“We are flattered and honered by the rapid expansion by Publix. To be in so many stores in just a year and a half in the Cadillac of grocery stores is very encouraging,” said Michael M. Houllis, President of “It’s Greek To Me Foods”.

“The Greek Style Chicken Lemon Soup has been overlooked too long by the commercial soup making community. Our Grandmothers (Yia Yia’s) soup is the most unique soup ever to hit the market and its time has come , if its rapid climb is any indication,” Houllis added.

Houllis, who’s family owned and operated the legendary Island House Restaurant on Clearwater Beach, Florida for 30 years, featured his families traditional recipe of the soup and saw first hand the response to it by the non Greek customers. “The Greeks always knew how magical the soup was, but I was able through the restaurant to observe, first hand the response to it by the mainstream diner over the years.” Houllis said.

The soups unique combination of egg and lemon, orzo and chicken is light and soothing. The soup known affectionately to the Greeks as “Greek Penicillin” is served by mothers and grandmothers to their families on holidays, family functions, and especially anytime a family member did not feel well.” It has always been served as a cure all. “Don’t ask me for any scientific proof on why it makes you feel better, we just know it always does. We always attributed it to the love from which it was made. We have put that same love in the can by using my families’ recipe…” Houllis added.

”It is no surprise to us that the company and soup are doing well in this troubled economy when “Comfort Food” is at a premium. Greek Chicken Lemon Soup is the epitome of ”Comfort Food”, Houllis continued.

In addition to Publix in Florida, the soup is also sold at selected Walgreens, Winn Dixie’s, Sweetbay’s, and some 100+ independent retailers. The soup has also made its way to a 200+ locations in the Chicago, New York and Philadelphia areas with further expansion in the planning stages.

Come out and sample our “Delightfully Delicious” Greek Chicken Lemon Soup!

2012 Greek Festival
Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13

  Celebrated each year at the Charleston Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the Charleston Greek Festival is full of authentic Greek food, dance, and traditional celebration.

  The food at this years Greek fest will be quite a highlight. One can dine at “Outdoor Grills” for authentic Gyros, Pitas or Whole Chickens or take it inside for “Taverna Indoor Dinning” which will offer Mousaka, Spanakopita, Mezethaki Plate, Baklava, and much more.

  To quench your thirst at this years 2011 Charleston Greek Festival, enjoy $5 Athenians as well as $5 Greek Festival Souvenir Cup, Bud and Bud Lights.  For more info on the food menu, check out The Greek Fest Menus.

  Other highlights at this years Charleston Greek Festival include; a Bouturi wine tasting, church tours, live music, folk dances, and food & pastries.  Event tickets are just $3, $1 for students, and Mothers get in for free on Mothers Day.

Also, afterwards, continue the festivities at downtown Charleston restaurants and bars for even more fun!  After all downtown is only minutes away form this years Greek Festival!

More information:
location
youtube-Greek dances
photos from past Charleston Greek festivals

 2012 Greek Festival
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
30 Race Street
 Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-2063
www.greekorthodoxchs.org

“Ad campaigns may exaggerate, but figures don’t lie. Starting up 16 months ago, just before the current recession hit, and with Michael and Madelyne possessing no prior consumer-product marketing experience, 180,000 cans of “It’s Greek to Me!” have been sold, Houllis said. As might be expected, the soup first took off in Tarpon Springs, where the company is based.”

READ MORE:

The medicinal effects of chicken soup have some validity. One of the first studies was published in the medical journal Chest in 1978 by Marvin Sackner, M.D., a pulmonary specialist at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.  Sipping hot chicken soup, he found, cleared up congestion better than plain hot or cold water.  A second study by Dr. Stephen Ranard in 2000 stated, chicken soup significantly inhibited white blood cell migration. Cold symptoms, such as coughs and congestion, are associated with inflammation produced when neutrophils migrate to the bronchial tubes and accumulate there.

Bari Kraus
02/13/09

Greek Salad

1 large cucumber skinned
1 Large ripe cut up tomato
3 1/2 julienne cut red onion
1 julienne cut small green pepper
8 calamata olives
6 pepperoncini peppers
2+ oz feta cheese

Mix all above ingredients thoroughly in large bowl.

Add the following:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
The juice of 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon oregano

Toss well & add Salt/Pepper to taste.

Serves 4

Greek Spaghetti (HalkitikI Macaronia)

1 Lb regular spaghetti
1 stick (1/4 lb) Real Butter
1 medium diced onion
4 1/2 cup Parmesean cheese

In fry pan, caramelize onions with oil and put to side. Boil spaghetti in saucepan with water and 1 tablespoon salt. In separate frying pan brown the stick of butter. After spaghetti is cooked and drained put spaghetti back in sauce pan. Then mix butter in the cooked spaghetti evenly. Sprinkle onions and parmesan over the top.

Serves 4-6

Greek Meat-balls (Keftedes)”]

[keftedes

2 Lbs Ground Chuck
1 Medium diced onion
1 Can 15 oz Diced Tomatoes
1 Tablespoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Garlic salt
1 Cup Italian Bread Crums

Mix above ingredients in a large bowl until evenly distributed. Form meatballs in the shape of and size of a Yo-Yo. Dust with flour on both sides and cook in frying pan with half inch of vegetable oil on both sides until meat is cooked.
Lemon Optional

Serves 6

Avgo-Lemono Greek Soup

Greek Avgo-Lemono Soupa is the traditional soup served by loving Mothers and Grandmothers (Yia Yia’s) to their family, friends, and loved ones. The soups concept of egg and lemon mixture originated from the Islands of Greece and eventually followed Greek immigrants to this country.
For centuries avgolemono soup has been served in Greek homes as an appetizer, dinner, or cure all.

As an appetizer its light quality was a perfect start to any home cooked meal. With plenty of fresh Greek or Italian bread it was a nutritional meal. When a family member did not feel well, regardless of the symptoms, it always hit the spot and made  them feel better.

Aunt Lula and Elizabeth

Yia yia’s traditional Avgolemono soup is a time consuming process requiring constant attention. It takes hours to cook yet years to perfect. Yia yia’s would often pass down their version of the soup along with some family history and stories to the younger generations. Perhaps the time and love that went into the soup is what gives it almost, a medicinal quality. Finally that “cure-all” is available anytime.

Just heat & serve.

Aside from most Greek homes, this soup is served in many Greek restaurants and enjoyed all over the world. There are many versions of the recipe.

Whether it’s a cup as an appetizer, a bowl or two for dinner, or an accompaniment with your favorite sandwich, Greek Avgo-Lemono Soupa is a very special treat.

There is no other soup quite like it, and none done better.

dolmades

Spending time with family and friends while enjoying great cuisine is a rich part of Greek culture and the Houllis family tradition. These particular dishes are favorites of ours and sure to bring years enjoyment to your family and friends. As always, we recommend gourmet Avgolemono soup as the perfect accompaniment to our favorite recipes and yours.

3 lbs Ground Chuck
One medium diced onion
1 cup rice
15 oz. can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic salt

Mix above ingredients evenly.

1 Large jar of Grape leaves
1 Cup Lemon Juice
1 Cup Water
15 oz Can Tomato Sauce

Roll the meat/rice mixture into generous half dollar size meatballs. Carefully roll your meatballs into cylinder shapes. Place each cylinder shape meatball on top of a moist grape leaf and roll up. (Like a burrito) Neatly place the Dolmades in your large saucepan without squishing.

Then, pour the following over the top of your rolled Dolmades:
1 cup of lemon juice
1 cup water
15 oz can of tomato sauce

Cook on stove for about 45 minutes in order for the mixture of beef and rice to cook and enjoy

serves 6-8

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