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dpappas87

Active member
This is a refreshing and easy salad to make when you're looking for something to snack on in the summer.

  • 8 tablespoons lemon juice (about 4 fresh lemons)
  • 6 bay leaves
  • 2 pounds fresh octopus
  • 1 cups Greek olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red or white wine vinegar
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cups of fresh cut vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers
  • 1 recipe prepared ladolemono
  • 3 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley
 
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Reactions: kosta_karapinotis
This is a refreshing and easy salad to make when you're looking for something to snack on in the summer.

  • 8 tablespoons lemon juice (about 4 fresh lemons)
  • 6 bay leaves
  • 2 pounds fresh octopus
  • 1 cups Greek olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red or white wine vinegar
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cups of fresh cut vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers
  • 1 recipe prepared ladolemono
  • 3 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley
What are the directions? Im dying to enjoy an octopus salad like the ones I had when visiting Crete
 
This looks delicious! I don't always find octopus, but when I do it is a real treat.
 
I love this salad, it's always delicious when I eat it, but I have never made it at home. Thanks for the recipe!
 

How does your family season dolmades?

I’ve been thinking about how much dolmades can vary from one family to another, especially when it comes to seasoning. Even when the basic ingredients are similar, the flavor can be completely different depending on which herbs and spices are used.

How does your family season dolmades? Do you use mostly dill and parsley, or do you add mint as well? I’ve also seen recipes that include green onions, oregano, or even a little cinnamon, especially when meat is part of the filling.

I’m curious whether you season the rice mixture pretty heavily before rolling the grape leaves or keep it simple and let the lemon and olive oil provide most of the flavor. Does your family add lemon juice directly to the filling, or only during cooking and serving?

I’d especially love to hear about any regional or family traditions. What gives your dolmades their distinctive flavor?

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 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.

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!

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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