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mastichas09

Active member
I am on a healthy eating kick - happens to me every year after the holidays! It feels like a reset, but Greek food is so delicious it puts me in a happy place anyway. I am brainstorming a list of healthy meals.

Grilled Greek Chicken: Marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano before grilling them to perfection. Serve with a side of grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and peppers.

Greek Salad with Grilled Shrimp: Combine fresh chopped vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and bell peppers with feta cheese and kalamata olives. Top with grilled shrimp and a homemade vinaigrette made with olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Baked Lemon and Herb Fish: Coat pieces of fish in a mixture made with lemon juice, garlic, and herbs like dill and parsley before baking in the oven.

Lamb Souvlaki with Tzatziki: Skewer pieces of lamb marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano and grill until cooked through. Serve with a side of tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, dill, and cucumbers.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey: Stuff bell peppers with a mixture of lean ground turkey, brown rice, chopped tomatoes, and herbs like basil and thyme. Bake in the oven until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through. Usually it is made with beef, but turkey is healthier.

Greek Chickpea Salad: Combine chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and feta cheese with a dressing made from olive oil and lemon juice. Serve as a side salad or add grilled chicken for a complete meal.

Greek-Style Stuffed Zucchini: Hollow out zucchinis and stuff them with a mixture of ground beef, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and Greek herbs. Bake until the zucchinis are tender and the filling is cooked through, then sprinkle with feta cheese before serving.

Eggplant Moussaka: This hearty casserole is made with layers of eggplant, lean ground beef, tomatoes, and a creamy béchamel sauce. It's a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and protein in one meal.

Grilled Octopus with Lemon and Olive Oil: While it may sound a bit adventurous, grilled octopus is a classic Greek dish that's packed with flavor and nutrition. Marinate the octopus in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic before grilling on high heat until slightly charred.
 
This a great list! I am on a similar kick, as well. Here is what I came up with:

- Greek Salads - like horiatiki, cabbage salad, etc
- Grilled or baked fish with lemon - I agree on that one
- Horta - this makes me feel so healthy when it's on the table!
- Healthy soups, like tomato soup, chickpea soup, vegetable soup, etc.

Also, I am not sure about moussaka. The béchamel sauce can use a lot of better and cream. Can you leave it out?
 
This a great list! I am on a similar kick, as well. Here is what I came up with:

- Greek Salads - like horiatiki, cabbage salad, etc
- Grilled or baked fish with lemon - I agree on that one
- Horta - this makes me feel so healthy when it's on the table!
- Healthy soups, like tomato soup, chickpea soup, vegetable soup, etc.

Also, I am not sure about moussaka. The béchamel sauce can use a lot of better and cream. Can you leave it out?
I was thinking the same thing. The butter and carbs in the béchamel seem opposite of a healthy diet! I had a friend once make a no-meat moussaka without the béchamel (used that famous meat substitute, I forget the name). It was pretty good, but not the same thing - real moussaka I decided to save as a special occasion food.
 

Bougatsa Recipe - Delicious Breakfast!

When I was in Greece, I loved having bougatsa for breakfast. I don't have it much when I am back home so I decided to learn how to make it. Here's the recipe I use:

I do have a question, I find using the puff pastry the easiest. However, what do they use in Greece?

Dough:
  • 1 package (about 17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Custard:
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup fine semolina flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
  • Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Custard Filling:
    • In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it's hot but not boiling.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, semolina flour, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
    • Gradually pour about 1/4 of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
    • Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk, whisking constantly.
    • Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to a custard-like consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  2. Prepare the Bougatsa Dough:
    • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheets onto a clean surface. Brush melted butter generously over one sheet of puff pastry.
    • Place the second puff pastry sheet on top of the buttered one. Brush the top with more melted butter.
    • Roll up the puff pastry sheets tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal portions.
  3. Assemble the Bougatsa:
    • Take one portion of the puff pastry and flatten it into a thin circle on a floured surface, using a rolling pin.
    • Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled custard filling in the center of the pastry circle.
    • Fold the edges of the pastry circle over the custard filling, creating a sealed pouch. Place the filled bougatsa onto the prepared baking sheet.
    • Repeat this process with the remaining puff pastry portions and custard filling.
  4. Bake the Bougatsa:
    • Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bougatsa until the pastry is golden brown and crispy, about 25-30 minutes.
    • Remove the bougatsa from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

What foods go best with ouzo?

I am curious - what goods go best with Ouzo? Traditionally, I don't actually pay attention.

From my understanding, Ouzo is traditionally enjoyed with small plates, similar to tapas, known as "mezedes" in Greece. Yet, I’m eager to hear from those who have either traveled to Greece or have an in-depth knowledge of Greek cuisine about what specific dishes you think would pair best with Ouzo. Are there specific flavors or types of dishes (seafood, meats, vegetables) that enhance the experience of sipping Ouzo?

Cumin in Greek Cooking?

When I was in Greece, I bumped into a "spanakopita" in like a turnover style dough. It didn't have cheese and was spiced with cumin. I hadn't realized people use Cumin in Greece until I tasted it in this dish. I was kind of confused.

Do people actually use cumin in Greek cooking? None of the old recipes I have mention it. Could it be a more modern influence?

List of Different Greek Cooking Techniques

I hope you're all doing well! I've recently developed a deep appreciation for Greek cuisine and I'm eager to expand my cooking skills in this area. However, I'm realizing that I might be missing out on some traditional Greek cooking techniques that are essential for authentic dishes.

Could anyone kindly provide me with a list of cooking techniques commonly used in Greek cuisine? Whether it's grilling, baking, braising, or something more specific to Greek cooking, I'm eager to learn! Any insights, tips, or favorite methods would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to your responses!

Here's what I can think of so far:

  • Frying - usually in olive oil, right? Things like Greek fries and kourabedies come to mind is being fried.
  • Grilling - souvlaki, chicken, etc
  • Sandwiches - gyros, making "toast" that you see on menus in Greece
  • Braising - like braised lamb?
  • On the spot - Lamb, goat
  • Baking - desserts and savory dishes
What have I missed?

Can you use frozen vegetables for Greek dishes?

There are two Greek dishes that I enjoy a lot and like to make a lot - fasolakia and the baked vegetables with the variety.

It's not always realistic for me to make them, though, because of the vegetable situation.

Is it okay to use frozen veggies? These are washed and chopped - they're basically ready to go - so it would save me a lot of time!

fasolakia-greek-food.jpg
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