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auroracoor1

Active member
I have been researching Santorini for various reasons. Mostly because I am fascinated, but also because I plan to visit. Is the food on the island similar to the rest of Greece? What should I look out for when I am there?

As far as I can tell the tomatoes are really special there, and I should order a lot of things that involve tomato. Can you guys think of anything else? I also want to find recipes for some of the main dishes so I can try them before my trip.
 
While tourist menus tend to be the same, each region and island group will offer local specialities. For breakfast one might be offered rice pudding in Molyvos or a tomato bread pudding in Santorini. You’re right to do research for the places you will visit and to be sure to order the specialties rather than let’s say…an omelette! Santorini’s soil produces excellent tomatoes and wine, but seriously, the food in every region is excellent. Just look for locally-grown and farm-to-table establishments as much as possible.
 
While tourist menus tend to be the same, each region and island group will offer local specialities. For breakfast one might be offered rice pudding in Molyvos or a tomato bread pudding in Santorini. You’re right to do research for the places you will visit and to be sure to order the specialties rather than let’s say…an omelette! Santorini’s soil produces excellent tomatoes and wine, but seriously, the food in every region is excellent. Just look for locally-grown and farm-to-table establishments as much as possible.
Yes! I want to look for the authentic food - I've noticed that tourist menus tend to be a little different. I want authentic experiences, and I've learned I need to have a few dishes in my mind to seek out, and then I also need to ask locals where they recommend going to find xxx dish - if I mention regional specialties they'll know I am serious about finding authentic places.
 
It has been a while since I went to Santorini but when I was there, I noticed a real difference between menus in areas, say near where the cruses docked, and menus in villages that were a bit ticked away. There seemed to be more regional specialties in the out of the way places, but the tourist menus had one or two offerings. My advice would be to spend some time exploring some of the lesser known villages.
 

What herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?

Do you make your pastitsio with a thick or thin layer of krema?

I've always preferred my pastitsio with a nice, thick layer of béchamel on top. To me, that's one of the best parts of the dish! I love when the krema is rich, creamy, and thick enough to hold its shape when you cut into the pastitsio.

The problem is that I've been having trouble getting my krema just right. Sometimes it comes out too thin, and other times the texture isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. I've tried adjusting the amount of flour and milk, but I still haven't found the perfect balance.

I'm curious how everyone else makes theirs. Do you prefer a thick layer of béchamel or just enough to cover the pasta? Does your family add eggs or cheese to the mixture?

I'd especially love to hear any tips for making a thick, smooth krema that sets beautifully when baked!

What is your favorite Greek potato dish?

Potatoes show up in so many Greek meals, and I think they are often at their best when they soak up plenty of olive oil, lemon, herbs, and cooking juices.

Greek lemon potatoes are probably the first thing that comes to mind for me. I love when they are roasted until they are soft inside, a little crisp around the edges, and full of lemon and oregano. Potatoes cooked alongside chicken or lamb are also hard to beat because they absorb so much flavor from the pan.

I also enjoy simple boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, lemon, parsley, and salt, especially with fish or grilled meat.

What Greek potato dish do you make most often? Do you prefer lemon potatoes, potatoes roasted with meat, fried potatoes, or something else? And is there a particular seasoning or family method that makes your version especially good?

Do you make Greek lentil soup with vinegar

I’ve always made fakes with a splash of vinegar, either stirred into the pot near the end or added individually at the table. To me, that little bit of acidity is part of what makes the soup taste right, especially with the earthy lentils, olive oil, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

But I have a Greek friend who makes hers very differently. She doesn’t use vinegar at all and instead adds quite a lot of tomato product, so her version is much redder and more tomato-forward than mine.

Now I’m curious about what is considered more traditional in Greek cooking. Is vinegar usually a standard part of fakes, or is it more of a regional or family preference? Are tomato-heavy versions just as traditional?

How do you make yours, and what did your family serve growing up?

Greek cooking without a recipe?

I've been thinking about how much traditional Greek cooking relies on instinct rather than following exact recipes. Some of the Greek dishes I learned to make were taught to me by feel, with someone showing me what to do rather than measuring everything out.

I actually enjoy cooking this way, but I've noticed that it can make certain dishes difficult to recreate consistently! Sometimes everything comes together perfectly, and other times I wonder what I did differently.

I'm curious how others approach this. Did you learn Greek cooking by watching your yiayia, mother, or other relatives? Do you measure ingredients, or do you just know when something looks, smells, or tastes right?
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