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d_kakavouli

Active member
I am headed to Corfu soon in early July and I am so excited! I have never been. I want to sample traditional foods. In most of Greece, some dishes were similar no matter where you go, and then there are some regional specialties.

Are there any regional specialties I should look for in Corfu?
 
Pastitsada is terrific. Traditionally made with rooster (chicken probably more likely) cooked with a special mix of spices in a tomato sauce, served with bucatini & graviera cheese garnish. It’s not unduly spicy but it’s rich & lovely. Can also be served using veal or beef.
Bourdeto is a spicy fish dish made with chunky white fish - usually scorpion fish, juicy & light. The spices include sweet red pepper and hot red pepper, according to taste. Sometimes there’s tomato added. My favourite taverna is Galini in Danilia where theirs is fabulous. Great place where the horta is delicious and the wine from their own vineyard is organic - you genuinely don’t get a hangover, though obviously moderation is recommended
 
Pastitsada is terrific. Traditionally made with rooster (chicken probably more likely) cooked with a special mix of spices in a tomato sauce, served with bucatini & graviera cheese garnish. It’s not unduly spicy but it’s rich & lovely. Can also be served using veal or beef.
Bourdeto is a spicy fish dish made with chunky white fish - usually scorpion fish, juicy & light. The spices include sweet red pepper and hot red pepper, according to taste. Sometimes there’s tomato added. My favourite taverna is Galini in Danilia where theirs is fabulous. Great place where the horta is delicious and the wine from their own vineyard is organic - you genuinely don’t get a hangover, though obviously moderation is recommended
Pastitsada is terrific. Traditionally made with rooster (chicken probably more likely) cooked with a special mix of spices in a tomato sauce, served with bucatini & graviera cheese garnish. It’s not unduly spicy but it’s rich & lovely. Can also be served using veal or beef.
Bourdeto is a spicy fish dish made with chunky white fish - usually scorpion fish, juicy & light. The spices include sweet red pepper and hot red pepper, according to taste. Sometimes there’s tomato added. My favourite taverna is Galini in Danilia where theirs is fabulous. Great place where the horta is delicious and the wine from their own vineyard is organic - you genuinely don’t get a hangover, though obviously moderation is recommended
Corfu is such a beautiful island. It has great beaches, beautiful countryside and very nice architecture. But the food, the food is amazing. Corfu’s cuisine has been influenced by the Venetian, since they were under Venetian rule for a long time. But the influence on its cuisine didn’t stop there. It has influences from British, French, and other Western countries since Corfu was a trading hub. These cultural influences show up a lot in the local cuisine, where traditionally Greek dishes are given a more Westernized or Italian spin to them.

Some of my favorite dishes are,
Pastitsda,
Soffrito
Bouroubourou
Bourdetto
Bianca,
Oh and definitely Pasta Flora

i would love to hear from you what you tried and what your favorite dish was.
Have fun and safe travels.
 
Thank you, everyone. I will keep you all posted! I didn't realize Pasta Flora was so common on Corfu. I will be leaving soon!
 
Wow, these dishes you guys mentioned - like Pastisada - sound slightly different from the typical dishes. I hope I have a chance some day to try these - I'd try to make them (I am sure I can find recipes) - but I want to try the dishes first before I attempt to cook them. There is so much more to Greek cuisine than I have realized.
 

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 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?

Do You Put Cinnamon in Your Keftedes?

I’m curious how everyone here makes keftedes, especially when it comes to cinnamon. I know some Greek families add a little cinnamon to the meat mixture, while others would never think of putting it in.

In my experience, even a small amount can change the flavor quite a bit. It gives the keftedes a warmer, slightly sweeter spice in the background, but I can also see how it might not be for everyone. I’ve had versions that lean more heavily on oregano, mint, parsley, garlic, and onion instead.

Do you put cinnamon in your keftedes? If you do, how much do you usually use, and was that something your family always did? I’d also be curious to know if it varies depending on what part of Greece your family comes from.

Would love to hear how everyone seasons theirs and what you consider essential for really good keftedes.

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?

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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