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GreekGirlCooks

Active member
I buy taramasalata a lot - whenever I see it. Each place I buy it from, it tastes different, and some versions are better than others.

So I thought maybe I could learn how to make it myself so that I could adjust the flavors how I want it.

I know in theory it has:

- fish roe
- bread
- olive oil
- lemons
- onion

But I have never tried making it myself yet. Any advice?
 
I buy taramasalata a lot - whenever I see it. Each place I buy it from, it tastes different, and some versions are better than others.

So I thought maybe I could learn how to make it myself so that I could adjust the flavors how I want it.

I know in theory it has:

- fish roe
- bread
- olive oil
- lemons
- onion

But I have never tried making it myself yet. Any advice?
Hi, If you have a Greek market that you can get to, they most likely will have the right kind of fish roe for an authentic taste. They would likely have good premade taramasalata too. In my family, it was dad that would make it. I remember a few things but not enough to be 100% correct. The ingredients you list were the same ingredients dad used and he was probably making it the way his family from Constantinople made it. I remember the bread was stale and dry. Also there was some kind of technique for making it creamy and completely blended. He did it by hand though not with a mixer or blender. I don't know if it really has to be done by hand. A friend of mine whose family was from Cephalonia said they made it with potatoes instead of bread. I also remember my dad making it with fresh ground walnuts instead of bread. I like this one the best, no starches. Oh, I just found a good recipe for taramosalata by Googling.
 
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Hi, If you have a Greek market that you can get to, they most likely will have the right kind of fish roe for an authentic taste. They would likely have good premade taramasalata too. In my family, it was dad that would make it. I remember a few things but not enough to be 100% correct. The ingredients you list were the same ingredients dad used and he was probably making it the way his family from Constantinople made it. I remember the bread was stale and dry. Also there was some kind of technique for making it creamy and completely blended. He did it by hand though not with a mixer or blender. I don't know if it really has to be done by hand. A friend of mine whose family was from Cephalonia said they made it with potatoes instead of bread. I also remember my dad making it with fresh ground walnuts instead of bread. I like this one the best, no starches. Oh, I just found a good recipe for taramosalata by Googling.

I like this advice - a Greek market will definitely have the right kind of roe. I have had some that taste like mayonnaise, but I caution against that. It really doesn't taste like Greece when it is made with mayo! I would use bread or potato. I am intrigued by the walnut version, that sounds great!
 
Thank you! I managed to find the proper Greek-style roe somewhere. I made it with both potato and bread (two separate batches) and I like the bread version the best! But both were pretty good. I think the store bought stuff I've had definitely included mayo.
 

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?

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?

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.

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?
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