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dpappas87

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What is in season in Greece now? I know cabbage is and maybe citrus fruits... I want to start trying some dishes that are traditional to this time of year. I know people eat a lot of stews, like stifado. Those kinds of dishes are great once in a while, but not all the time. I love vegetables the best! Do Greeks eat foods like kale? Do they use other winter vegetables like parsnips?

I know that potatoes do well this time of year and are in season, and I know what I can do with them ... Any advice is appreciated!
 
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When I was living there we used to cook Bamiez(Ladies fingers with tomatoes, onions, garlic and lots of olive oil in the oven)..... Aubergines with Feta cheese, lots of tomatoes and onions in oven).... +also other strong cheeses from Crete,....Gigatez... giant beans baked in oven......Green beans in oven!... Abundance of vegetables available!... Look up some recipes with carrots,... different dishes with cabbages, cauliflower, celery...
. Kalley Mera from Thailand..... let us know what you are cooking... which part of the world are you writing from?
 
When I was living there we used to cook Bamiez(Ladies fingers with tomatoes, onions, garlic and lots of olive oil in the oven)..... Aubergines with Feta cheese, lots of tomatoes and onions in oven).... +also other strong cheeses from Crete,....Gigatez... giant beans baked in oven......Green beans in oven!... Abundance of vegetables available!... Look up some recipes with carrots,... different dishes with cabbages, cauliflower, celery...
. Kalley Mera from Thailand..... let us know what you are cooking... which part of the world are you writing from?
It sounds like winter produce in Greece is pretty similar to many climates. I am in New Hampshire and I doubt anything is really in season now, with it being so cold, but we get our produce from elsewhere so the stores stay stocked. Greece has such a lovely climate and beautiful food!
 
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Yes, Greeks eat a variety of winter vegetables like kale, parsnips, and potatoes. Dishes like stifado and other stews are great for this time of year, but there are also plenty of other dishes that feature winter vegetables. A great example is hortopita, which is a traditional Greek pie made with greens and feta cheese. You could also try making a winter salad with kale, potatoes, and other vegetables, or a simple side dish with boiled parsnips and butter. Whatever you make, I'm sure it will be delicious, especially if you use all the delicious seasonal vegetables!
Bakalyaro Skordhalia....(I used to love Skordhalia very much!) boiled beetroot with garlic....spanakopita.... baked potatoes in oven with tomatoes, onions, garlic and rosemary!.... Aubergines with tomatoes,Feta cheese, garlic and lots of Oregano and olive oil.... yummy!?
 
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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?

How Much Garlic in a Batch of Tzatziki?

How much garlic do you usually put in a batch of tzatziki? I think I may be using a little too much. I usually make mine with about 2 cups of Greek yogurt and 4 cloves of garlic, along with cucumber, olive oil, and the other usual ingredients.

It tastes great when I first make it, but we usually take about three days to finish the batch. By the second or third day, the garlic flavor and smell become really strong. Some people in my household love that and don’t mind it at all, but others think it becomes a bit overpowering. I’m starting to agree that four cloves might be too much, especially since the garlic seems to get stronger as it sits.

What do you all do? How many cloves would you use for about 2 cups of Greek yogurt?

Is lamb or beef more traditional for giouvetsi?

I've been looking into traditional Greek giouvetsi recipes lately, and I'm curious about which meat is considered the most traditional. I've seen recipes that use lamb, others that call for beef, and even some that use chicken.

I love the idea of slowly cooking the meat in a rich tomato sauce with orzo until everything becomes tender and flavorful. However, I'm wondering whether lamb or beef would be the more authentic choice.

Is one traditionally preferred in certain regions of Greece? I've read that lamb is often associated with older Greek recipes, but beef seems to be very common in modern versions of giouvetsi.

I'm also curious whether the choice of meat changes the way the dish is prepared. Does lamb require different seasonings or cooking times than beef?

For those familiar with traditional Greek cooking, which version do you prefer, and which would you recommend trying first?

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?

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.
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