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cubrinj

Active member
I love making skordalia, but I always struggle to get that ultra-creamy, smooth texture like the ones I’ve had at authentic Greek tavernas. Mine tends to turn out either too thick or a bit grainy.

I usually make it with potatoes, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, but I’ve heard some people use bread instead of potatoes. Does that make a difference in texture? Also, is there a trick to emulsifying the olive oil properly? I worry that I might be adding it too quickly or at the wrong time.

Would love to hear your best tips and techniques for achieving that silky, luscious consistency. Do you have any family secrets or traditional methods that make a difference?
 
Well...my Church family says I make the best. I like Yukon Gold potatoes ( because of their color and creaminess ) , white vinegar , my best olive oil ( for it's taste and color ) , sea salt and freshly ground black pepper ( some use white pepper but I don't like the smell of white pepper ) . Don't over cook your potatoes , just fork tender ! I use my food processor and place all ingredients except for the white vinegar ; I just add little by little until I get that tang. Maybe cutback on the amount of potato. I make up a few jars and place in the fridge and bring out as I need it and serve at room temp.
 
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You can also make skordalia with walnuts and bread which is what my grandmother used to do instead of potatoes.
 
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Well...my Church family says I make the best. I like Yukon Gold potatoes ( because of their color and creaminess ) , white vinegar , my best olive oil ( for it's taste and color ) , sea salt and freshly ground black pepper ( some use white pepper but I don't like the smell of white pepper ) . Don't over cook your potatoes , just fork tender ! I use my food processor and place all ingredients except for the white vinegar ; I just add little by little until I get that tang. Maybe cutback on the amount of potato. I make up a few jars and place in the fridge and bring out as I need it and serve at room temp.
This sounds fantastic - the church family knows a good thing when they see it! Your recipe looks fantastic.

Some tips:

Getting that ultra-creamy skordalia is all about technique! If you're using potatoes, make sure they’re fully cooked and mashed while warm to avoid a grainy texture. A ricer or sieve helps achieve smoothness. The bread version (soaked and squeezed dry) creates a lighter, silkier consistency—definitely worth trying!

For emulsification, slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously mixing (a food processor or mortar and pestle works best). If added too fast, it can separate. Also, use cold water or a splash of ice-cold vinegar to help loosen and smooth it out.
 

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.

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?

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?

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?

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!
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