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mastichas09

Active member
What do Greeks do better than cheese? Cheesecake!! I love classic Greek cheesecake with fresh cheese, and its great for guests! This is how you make it

Ingredients:
  • 1 prepared, store-bought, graham cracker pie crust (use a deep dish pie plate)
  • 2 cups plain cream cheese
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Greek honey
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup crushed walnuts, to garnish

Add the cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla, confectioner’s sugar, and honey to a food processor. Pulse until smooth and well combined. Add the whipping cream and pulse until the mixture is thick and fluffy. Pour the mixture into the pie crust and chill for at least two hours before eating. Sprinkle with crushed walnuts just before serving.

greek-cheesecake-720x480.jpg
 
Hi mastichas90, that sounds absolutely delicious. Interesting that you make the filling in the food processor, I always find it doesn't quite come out right when I do it that way... I prefer to do it by hand, since I think it makes for an airier and creamier texture. I found this recipe online earlier this year and it's never let me down, simple as it is... anyway I'm definitely going to try to make your Greek delicacy using it next time! Thanks.
 
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Hi mastichas90, that sounds absolutely delicious. Interesting that you make the filling in the food processor, I always find it doesn't quite come out right when I do it that way... I prefer to do it by hand, since I think it makes for an airier and creamier texture.
You must have strong hands ahaha! I will try that out, thanks for the tip! :)
 
This cheesecake is light and has a bit of a zing from the yogurt. It is decadent without going overboard. Love the idea of sprinkling it with walnuts!
 

How Do You Keep Lamb from Drying Out in the Oven?

I’ve been cooking more traditional Greek food at home lately, and one thing I’m still trying to get right is oven-roasted lamb. I love the flavor, especially with garlic, lemon, oregano, and potatoes, but sometimes the meat comes out a little drier than I’d like.

For those of you who make lamb regularly, how do you keep it tender and juicy in the oven? Do you cover it for part of the cooking time, add water or broth to the pan, or cook it slowly at a lower temperature?

I’m also wondering if the cut makes a big difference. I usually see leg of lamb used, but would shoulder be more forgiving for a long roast?

I’d like to get that really tender Greek-style lamb that practically falls apart. Any tips on temperature, cooking time, marinades, or resting the meat would be appreciated.

Do you put potatoes in your moussaka?

My family has never made moussaka with potatoes, so I always grew up thinking of it as layers of eggplant, meat sauce, and béchamel. Recently, though, I had moussaka at a restaurant that included a layer of potatoes, and I absolutely loved it.

The potatoes gave it a little more substance and seemed to soak up some of the flavors from the meat sauce. It made the whole dish feel even more comforting without taking away from the eggplant.

Now I’m curious about how common this is in Greece and in Greek families. Is adding potatoes considered traditional in certain regions, or is it simply one of those variations that depends on the household?

If you make moussaka at home, do you include potatoes? And if you do, do you use them along with eggplant or in place of some of it?

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?

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?

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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