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nadellii

Active member
My husband just picked up this amazing pastry from the Greek dessert store and he doesn’t remember the name!! ughhh!! Does anyone know what it’s called? I would love to order it again sometime soon. There’s cream inside and top is covered in almonds. It’s sooooo good. :)

BC6C5613-A0AB-40FA-893F-091703FAFEDD.jpeg
 
To me this looks like bougatsa...this looks SO amazing!!! ????
 
I think it's bougatsa, too. Was it creamy on the inside? I've seen bougatsa mostly with phyllo but in this case it looks like maybe the bougatsa was inside a puff pastry type of thing?
 
My husband just picked up this amazing pastry from the Greek dessert store and he doesn’t remember the name!! ughhh!! Does anyone know what it’s called? I would love to order it again sometime soon. There’s cream inside and top is covered in almonds. It’s sooooo good. :)

View attachment 931
It is a cream puff. In Greek, we call them sou (from the French pâte à choux). It is a light, delicate pastry dough, which is as it is baked, the water in the dough evaporates and the steam creates puffs in the pastry and creates a cavity that is filled with the cream.
The bougatsa on the other hand is pastry cream or some type of Greek cheese that is wrapped in phyllo pastry (in a similar way to spanakopita or tyropita).
 
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It is a cream puff. In Greek, we call them sou (from the French pâte à choux). It is a light, delicate pastry dough, which is as it is baked, the water in the dough evaporates and the steam creates puffs in the pastry and creates a cavity that is filled with the cream.
The bougatsa on the other hand is pastry cream or some type of Greek cheese that is wrapped in phyllo pastry (in a similar way to spanakopita or tyropita).
Very interesting, thanks! Ill make sure to ask for a sou next time I visit a Greek (or French) bakery!
 
Looks like bougatsa to me! One of my favorites
 

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?

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?

Do you make your pastitsio with a thick or thin layer of krema?

I've always preferred my pastitsio with a nice, thick layer of béchamel on top. To me, that's one of the best parts of the dish! I love when the krema is rich, creamy, and thick enough to hold its shape when you cut into the pastitsio.

The problem is that I've been having trouble getting my krema just right. Sometimes it comes out too thin, and other times the texture isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. I've tried adjusting the amount of flour and milk, but I still haven't found the perfect balance.

I'm curious how everyone else makes theirs. Do you prefer a thick layer of béchamel or just enough to cover the pasta? Does your family add eggs or cheese to the mixture?

I'd especially love to hear any tips for making a thick, smooth krema that sets beautifully when baked!

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 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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