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mj_toronto8

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Growing up, I didn't realize that capers were considered a part of Greek cuisine. It seems as if they grow well in Greece! I know that capers are often part of the village salad version that you can find on Santorini. How else are they used in Greek cuisine? I did some research and found some tips:
  • It seems that Greeks sometimes put them in stews?
  • I saw a recipe somewhere that it was a dish that had a tomato-based sauce with peppers and onions, and there were capers in it
The issue is that I don't know if this is accurate, and I also don't know what the recipes are.
 
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Growing up, I didn't realize that capers were considered a part of Greek cuisine. It seems as if they grow well in Greece! I know that capers are often part of the village salad version that you can find on Santorini. How else are they used in Greek cuisine? I did some research and found some tips:
  • It seems that Greeks sometimes put them in stews?
  • I saw a recipe somewhere that it was a dish that had a tomato-based sauce with peppers and onions, and there were capers in it
The issue is that I don't know if this is accurate, and I also don't know what the recipes are.
The Greek caper is a culinary wonder and particularly the capers from Tinos and the Cyclades. It is used fresh in Greek salad or boiled vegetables as well as in red sauce for spaghetti, on pizza, in tuna salads and egg salad. On Tinos there is also a dip made with capers. You can learn more about its secrets above. Have in mind capers are salty so don't use salt when you add capers.
 
The Greek caper is a culinary wonder and particularly the capers from Tinos and the Cyclades. It is used fresh in Greek salad or boiled vegetables as well as in red sauce for spaghetti, on pizza, in tuna salads and egg salad. On Tinos there is also a dip made with capers. You can learn more about its secrets above. Have in mind capers are salty so don't use salt when you add capers.
Do you use the caper berries or the smaller, unripe capers that are often picked and brined? I have realized that there are uses for both...
 
Do you use the caper berries or the smaller, unripe capers that are often picked and brined? I have realized that there are uses for both...
All parts are used ... the leaves pickled and the berries in brine and then in salads and more
 
All parts are used ... the leaves pickled and the berries in brine and then in salads and more
I have never had caper leaves! Wow - I think I will have to track some of these down... capers are my favorite. I always keep on hand because they add something very special to the dishes I include them in.
 
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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?

Favorite Greek Cheeses Beyond Feta

Feta gets most of the attention when people talk about Greek cheese, but there are so many other varieties worth trying. I’m curious which Greek cheeses everyone enjoys most beyond feta.

Graviera is one of my favorites because it works so well on a cheese plate, grated over dishes, or just eaten with bread. Kasseri is another one I really like, especially melted. I’ve also been interested in trying more regional cheeses like metsovone, manouri, kefalotyri, and formaela.

Some Greek cheeses seem to be much easier to find outside Greece than others, so I’d also love to know which ones people regularly buy and where they usually find them.

What Greek cheeses do you keep coming back to? Are there certain ones you associate with a particular region, dish, or family tradition? And if someone has mostly eaten feta, which Greek cheese would you recommend they try next?

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?

What Is the Best Way to Serve Taramosalata?

I absolutely love taramosalata and have it pretty regularly at home, but I’m having some people over soon and was wondering about the best way to serve it when entertaining.

Normally I just eat it with some bread or pita, so I don’t really put much thought into presentation. For guests, though, I’d like to make it part of a nice Greek-style spread with a few other things on the table. I was thinking warm pita triangles, crusty bread, maybe some cucumber and other vegetables for dipping, but I’m curious what everyone else usually serves with it.

Do you drizzle a little olive oil over the top or add any kind of garnish? And are there particular meze that you think pair especially well with taramosalata?

I’d love some ideas for making it look a little more special while still keeping everything traditional and simple.

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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