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nadellii

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This is a pic of everything that was served but you’ll see my pastitsio in the middle! I used my friends secret recipe so I can’t share sadly (she takes these things super seriously)

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WOWWW this looks so good!

It does not look like you need it, but for those that are reading and don't know, here are a few Greek pastitsio recipes:




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This is a pic of everything that was served but you’ll see my pastitsio in the middle! I used my friends secret recipe so I can’t share sadly (she takes these things super seriously)

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This looks spectacular - nice job! I love how the top has a delicious, caramelized look.
 
This looks fantastic! For me, pastitso is all about he Krema - it is tricky to get it right. It looks like you have gotten it right!!! When my yiayia passed away, "the touch" that she had with the Krema passed with her. I feel like we are finally close to replicating.
 
This looks delicious...unless it has cinnamon and cloves in which case I'm out :ROFLMAO:
 
This looks delicious...unless it has cinnamon and cloves in which case I'm out :ROFLMAO:
Oh no! My favorite is when it's spiced with cinnamon. For me, this is the fun of Greek cooking. There are so many different variations!
 
This looks fantastic! For me, pastitso is all about he Krema - it is tricky to get it right. It looks like you have gotten it right!!! When my yiayia passed away, "the touch" that she had with the Krema passed with her. I feel like we are finally close to replicating.
Just go by a box of bechamel at the store and you'll have a nice cream.
 
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I didn't know you can buy boxed béchamel, do you just add milk/water?
You just add milk.

My wife uses this one when she makes pastitsio (she's from Greece), but don't buy it for $13 because that's an outrageous price - it usually sells for about $3.50.... You should go to a local international store and look to see if they have anything.

 
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You just add milk.

My wife uses this one when she makes pastitsio (she's from Greece), but don't buy it for $13 because that's an outrageous price - it usually sells for about $3.50.... You should go to a local international store and look to see if they have anything.

Good point! I like to buy European versions of the mix at Greek supermarkets
 

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 Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.

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?

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 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?
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