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GreekGirlCooks

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I recently ate a really good gluten free moussaka. I am not gluten free, but it was actually delicious. I have a friend who is gluten free so I thought I'd make something for her.

The Krema was really creamy, almost like a potato puree made with cream. Could it be possible this is what they did? Or maybe they made a Krema with gluten free flour? I can't tell. Does anyone have any advice?
 
My wife simply substitutes Greek yoghurt (with a beaten egg & feta added) and tops with graviera.
But she does a terrific stove top version - I’d hate to say “deconstructed” - which involves cooking mince(beef is fine, as we all know) with garlic & finely chopped onion, diced aubergine, passata/tinned/diced fresh tomato’s & chickpeas. Then add uncooked rice (per person quantities) stock, cinnamon & Aleppo pepper or paprika. Cook covered on a low heat till the rice is al dente (but not chalky). Serve topped with Greek yoghurt (add crushed garlic if you like) and scatter a good, salty kefalotiri or aged graviera. Oh, and get the ouzo & ice out or retsina & sparkling water. Cooking’s thirsty work.
 
GreekGirl, have you googled gluten-free cream sauce or gluten-free Béchamel? Just did and came across several recipes, don't know how good they are, but there are sources out there.

Was it at someone's house or a restaurant where you had it? I would ask how it was made. Even at a restaurant, chefs or cooks are often willing to share how they make something.

Good luck in finding something that works.
 
It’s great that you enjoyed the gluten-free moussaka! There are a couple of ways the creamy Krema (béchamel sauce) might have been made gluten-free. One common method is using gluten-free flour to thicken the sauce, which can result in a texture similar to the traditional version. Another possibility, as you mentioned, is that they used a mashed potato base mixed with cream or even a combination of potatoes and gluten-free flour, giving it that extra creamy consistency.

If you're planning to make it for your friend, you could try either approach. Using mashed potatoes with a bit of cream would give a rich, comforting texture, while gluten-free flour can help you achieve a more classic béchamel. Both methods should work beautifully, and your friend will surely appreciate the effort!
 
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My wife simply substitutes Greek yoghurt (with a beaten egg & feta added) and tops with graviera.
But she does a terrific stove top version - I’d hate to say “deconstructed” - which involves cooking mince(beef is fine, as we all know) with garlic & finely chopped onion, diced aubergine, passata/tinned/diced fresh tomato’s & chickpeas. Then add uncooked rice (per person quantities) stock, cinnamon & Aleppo pepper or paprika. Cook covered on a low heat till the rice is al dente (but not chalky). Serve topped with Greek yoghurt (add crushed garlic if you like) and scatter a good, salty kefalotiri or aged graviera. Oh, and get the ouzo & ice out or retsina & sparkling water. Cooking’s thirsty work.
Wow, this sounds fantastic. I forget that Greek yogurt is a good stand-in. The deconstructed concept is great too - it looks easier! I am not gluten free but I think these hacks seem delicious.
 
My wife simply substitutes Greek yoghurt (with a beaten egg & feta added) and tops with graviera.
But she does a terrific stove top version - I’d hate to say “deconstructed” - which involves cooking mince(beef is fine, as we all know) with garlic & finely chopped onion, diced aubergine, passata/tinned/diced fresh tomato’s & chickpeas. Then add uncooked rice (per person quantities) stock, cinnamon & Aleppo pepper or paprika. Cook covered on a low heat till the rice is al dente (but not chalky). Serve topped with Greek yoghurt (add crushed garlic if you like) and scatter a good, salty kefalotiri or aged graviera. Oh, and get the ouzo & ice out or retsina & sparkling water. Cooking’s thirsty work.
Wow - this is a great idea!
 
GreekGirl, have you googled gluten-free cream sauce or gluten-free Béchamel? Just did and came across several recipes, don't know how good they are, but there are sources out there.

Was it at someone's house or a restaurant where you had it? I would ask how it was made. Even at a restaurant, chefs or cooks are often willing to share how they make something.

Good luck in finding something that works.
It was at a restaurant. I tried googling but got super overwhelmed. I will try asking the chef next time, I didn't think of that!
 

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.

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 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?

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.

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?
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