1 - 3 of 3 Posts

ssherie_

Active member
I’m looking for some traditional Greek desserts to make for Easter (Pascha) this year. I know Tsoureki is a must, but I’d love to add a few more sweet treats to the table. Are there any classic Easter desserts that your family always makes?

I’ve heard about Galaktoboureko and Melomakarona, but are those common for Pascha, or are there more festive options? Also, any tips on making the perfect Tsoureki would be appreciated—mine always turns out too dense!

If you have any favorite recipes or recommendations for traditional or even modern Greek Easter sweets, I’d love to hear them. Bonus points for anything that pairs well with Greek coffee after the big feast.

Looking forward to your suggestions - thanks so much!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voula
I’m looking for some traditional Greek desserts to make for Easter (Pascha) this year. I know Tsoureki is a must, but I’d love to add a few more sweet treats to the table. Are there any classic Easter desserts that your family always makes?

I’ve heard about Galaktoboureko and Melomakarona, but are those common for Pascha, or are there more festive options? Also, any tips on making the perfect Tsoureki would be appreciated—mine always turns out too dense!

If you have any favorite recipes or recommendations for traditional or even modern Greek Easter sweets, I’d love to hear them. Bonus points for anything that pairs well with Greek coffee after the big feast.

Looking forward to your suggestions - thanks so much!
Hi! One dessert I make for Easter is Greek Ekmek Kataifi! It's not as sweet as other Greek desserts and I think it's a perfect way to end the meal. I have a 2 different ways to make it on my blog, with lots of different tips, too. Melomakarona are Christmas cookies, but these Ladokouloura (sesame cookies) are amazing with Greek coffee - they're my Yiayia's recipe! As for the Tsoureki, I have a complete guide on my blog with tons of tips and how to get the perfect stringy texture! My Tsoureki recipe includes 2 methods (stand mixer & an easy no-knead method). You'll find the complete recipes at the end of each post, which includes exact quantities, etc. Let me know how it goes!
 
Love that you’re bringing Greek sweets to your Pascha table! Tsoureki is definitely essential—make sure your dough gets plenty of time to rise, and try adding mahlepi and mastiha for that authentic aroma. If it’s turning out too dense, your yeast may need more warmth or time—let it double in size before shaping.

For other Easter treats, Koulourakia (buttery twisted cookies with a hint of orange) are a must in many households—perfect with Greek coffee after the feast! While Melomakarona and Kourabiedes are more common at Christmas, they’re still delicious any time.

Galaktoboureko isn’t traditionally Easter-specific but makes a stunning dessert for guests—who can say no to creamy custard and syrupy phyllo? For something festive, try Portokalopita (orange phyllo cake) for a zesty finish.

Wishing you a joyful and sweet Pascha celebration—kali anastasi!
 

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?
Sign up for a free account and share your thoughts, photos, questions about Greek food, travel and culture!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top