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mj_toronto8

Active member
Feta is the most famous of the Greek cheeses. I love to eat it in Greek salads, I put it in my tiro pita, and I love to eat it all by itself. It is such an important part of Greek cuisine!

It is a brined curd cheese made from sheep’s milk or goat's milk, feta is salty and tangy in taste due to the brining process. The name “feta” comes from the Italian word ‘fette’ meaning slice or slab, referring to the way in which it is formed into its signature block shape.

It's also cool how special it is - it is classified as “Protected Designation of Origin” (PDO) due to its official geographical origin being tied solely to Greece and must be produced using specific traditional methods in order for it to be given this designation

Its flavor profile can range from mild with crunchy crystals formed through aging process to sharp if aged longer than seven months. It often has small eyes or openings throughout its texture which can resemble those found in Swiss Emmentaler or Italian Grana Padano cheese.

What are your favorite ways to use feta cheese?
 
Feta is the most famous of the Greek cheeses. I love to eat it in Greek salads, I put it in my tiro pita, and I love to eat it all by itself. It is such an important part of Greek cuisine!

It is a brined curd cheese made from sheep’s milk or goat's milk, feta is salty and tangy in taste due to the brining process. The name “feta” comes from the Italian word ‘fette’ meaning slice or slab, referring to the way in which it is formed into its signature block shape.

It's also cool how special it is - it is classified as “Protected Designation of Origin” (PDO) due to its official geographical origin being tied solely to Greece and must be produced using specific traditional methods in order for it to be given this designation

Its flavor profile can range from mild with crunchy crystals formed through aging process to sharp if aged longer than seven months. It often has small eyes or openings throughout its texture which can resemble those found in Swiss Emmentaler or Italian Grana Padano cheese.

What are your favorite ways to use feta cheese?
This was interesting, thank you! I was just thinking that one thing I would really like to do is visit somewhere in Greece where they make it so I could see the process. I think that would be fascinating.
 

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?

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?

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 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?

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?
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