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blopez34

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I found some Myzithra cheese in a Greek market - to my knowledge, I have never had it before. Or, it could be that I don't know much about it.

How do Greeks typically use this cheese? I tastes some, and it is on the harder side. I can picture it being grated and tasting great on pasta. Other than that, how is it I used? Are there any dishes that include it?
 
I found some Myzithra cheese in a Greek market - to my knowledge, I have never had it before. Or, it could be that I don't know much about it.

How do Greeks typically use this cheese? I tastes some, and it is on the harder side. I can picture it being grated and tasting great on pasta. Other than that, how is it I used? Are there any dishes that include it?
Myzithra is a very sharp cheese, it's not for eating, like some feta, which stands fine on its own. Best use I know for myzithra is on Greek macaroni, with the kappama sauce, cinnamon and myzithra. Think that's the way it's mostly used, but probably good along with anything that has kappama.
 
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Myzithra is a very sharp cheese, it's not for eating, like some feta, which stands fine on its own. Best use I know for myzithra is on Greek macaroni, with the kappama sauce, cinnamon and myzithra. Think that's the way it's mostly used, but probably good along with anything that has kappama.
Thank you, I will first try it with Greek macaroni dishes and see how I like it. I tried having a little bit by itself and it was strong - so seems better in small amounts?
 
It's not an "eating" cheese, like others that taste good on their own. You can be generous with it on Greek macaroni. Not sure if it's been mentioned here but along with kappama sauce, brown butter is wonderful on Greek macaroni, and, of course, the myzithra.
 
I love, love it on pasta dishes with a sturdy tomato sauce, and I even sneak onto some rice dishes. I also sometimes add just a tiny amount in my tiropita - it gives it a little something extra!
 
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I love, love it on pasta dishes with a sturdy tomato sauce, and I even sneak onto some rice dishes. I also sometimes add just a tiny amount in my tiropita - it gives it a little something extra!
What a great idea in the tiropita! Never thought of it and will give it a try--and in some rice. Thanks!
 

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!

What is the secret to making really good Greek lemon potatoes?

I've been making Greek lemon potatoes for years, and it's one of those dishes I make completely by feel. I don't measure anything, and I never really thought about how I make them because it's all second nature to me.

Recently, I tried teaching someone how to make them. Everything seemed straightforward while we were cooking together, but when they went home and tried making them on their own, all kinds of things went wrong! The potatoes weren't cooking evenly, the texture wasn't quite right, and the lemon flavor didn't come through the way it should.

It made me realize how much I rely on instinct when cooking traditional Greek food. I rarely write down recipes, so explaining every little detail is harder than I expected!

For those who make Greek lemon potatoes regularly, what tips would you give someone who's just learning?

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.

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?
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