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dimi_pat

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I don't always have fresh dill on hand and I have trouble making it grow indoors... I like to make tzatziki and I love dill in that, and also in my spinach pie. Will it work to use dried dill? It doesn't have a very strong aroma, and I am trying to figure out if using dried dill is generally a bad idea, or if my dill is too old and needs to be thrown out. Has anyone here ever used dried dill? So far, I much prefer the fresh dill.
 
Haven't tried dried dill but I have tried frozen dill and it seems to work almost as well as fresh dill. Tip: next time you buy or find some dill, freeze some of it to use later.
 
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I don't always have fresh dill on hand and I have trouble making it grow indoors... I like to make tzatziki and I love dill in that, and also in my spinach pie. Will it work to use dried dill? It doesn't have a very strong aroma, and I am trying to figure out if using dried dill is generally a bad idea, or if my dill is too old and needs to be thrown out. Has anyone here ever used dried dill? So far, I much prefer the fresh dill.
Hi dimi_pat,

You can definitely use dried dill for your tzatziki sauce. The general rule for swapping dried for fresh herbs is to use 1/3 of the amount called for in the recipe. So let’s say the recipe calls for 1 tablespoons of oregano then you will use 1 teaspoons dried (1tbls = 3 tsp) Also you are right if you have your dried dill for a while it might have lost it potency.
 
I always use dried dill, to me it has much more flavor. Tried fresh dill once in something and truly disappointed, so always used dried, and it's easy to have on hand.

I have never used any measuring device for herbs or spices. Start with a small bit, you can always add more. If you prefer measuring that's fine, it's just I never saw anyone in my family cook that way with herbs or spices.
 
Haven't tried dried dill but I have tried frozen dill and it seems to work almost as well as fresh dill. Tip: next time you buy or find some dill, freeze some of it to use later.
I agree with this! I have frozen fresh dill before with good results.
 

How does your family season dolmades?

I’ve been thinking about how much dolmades can vary from one family to another, especially when it comes to seasoning. Even when the basic ingredients are similar, the flavor can be completely different depending on which herbs and spices are used.

How does your family season dolmades? Do you use mostly dill and parsley, or do you add mint as well? I’ve also seen recipes that include green onions, oregano, or even a little cinnamon, especially when meat is part of the filling.

I’m curious whether you season the rice mixture pretty heavily before rolling the grape leaves or keep it simple and let the lemon and olive oil provide most of the flavor. Does your family add lemon juice directly to the filling, or only during cooking and serving?

I’d especially love to hear about any regional or family traditions. What gives your dolmades their distinctive flavor?

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?

My Family’s Keftedes Recipe

Keftedes are one of those foods that always remind me of family gatherings. Everyone seems to make them a little differently, but this is the basic version my family has always used.

For about a pound of ground beef, we add one small grated onion, a handful of chopped fresh parsley, a little fresh mint, one egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and a small splash of red wine vinegar. Sometimes we add a little grated garlic as well.

The important part is mixing everything well and then letting the mixture sit in the refrigerator for a little while before shaping the keftedes. We make them fairly small, roll them lightly in flour, and fry them in olive oil until browned on the outside and cooked through.

We usually serve them with lemon, potatoes, salad, or tzatziki.

How does your family make keftedes? I’m especially curious about which herbs and seasonings everyone uses. Thought I'd share!

Do You Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.

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?
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