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greek_ggirl

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Hey everyone, I'm a huge cocktail drinker (as you can see in this pic lol). While everyone is gonna be drinking beers this Easter, I want to enjoy a refreshing cocktail. Can anyone recommend a good cocktail pairing for meat and lamb?

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I know you like cocktails, but I am very traditional for Easter and would go with the Greek white wine Retsina!

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Ouzo lemonade is so good! Just squeeze fresh lemons, add a bit of simple syrup, and your favourite ouzo! We all know that ouzo goes super well with heavier meats :) cheers!
 
Ouzo lemonade is so good! Just squeeze fresh lemons, add a bit of simple syrup, and your favourite ouzo! We all know that ouzo goes super well with heavier meats :) cheers!
I would add a splash of Sprite or some kind of lemon lime soda
 
Try OUZO SPECIAL created in Cyprus and adapted by myself:
Per glass - crushed or whole ice cubes/ 2-4 cl ouzo/ 1 cl Cassis (or Grenadine)/ fill up with preferably with bitter lemon (or sprite) / decorate with a cocktail cherry and mint or basil leaf (optional: also an apple slice).
 
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Try OUZO SPECIAL created in Cyprus and adapted by myself:
Per glass - crushed or whole ice cubes/ 2-4 cl ouzo/ 1 cl Cassis (or Grenadine)/ fill up with preferably with bitter lemon (or sprite) / decorate with a cocktail cherry and mint or basil leaf (optional: also an apple slice).
Sign me up! Anything with grenadine is so good, thanks for posting this recipe!
 
I am all about Raki or Ouzo with lamb, but the cocktails mentioned above see delicious! I also like a refreshing ouzo spritzer: 1 shot of ouzo, juice of half a lemon, 5-6 fresh mint leaves, ice in the glass, top it off with soda water or lemon soda depending on the level of sweetness you want. The lemon and anise complement each other well, and the fizz and ice make it extra refreshing.
 

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!

What Greek Foods Do You Start Craving in the Fall?

I've been thinking more about seasonal eating lately, especially from a Greek perspective. Summer Greek food feels so naturally tied to the season with tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, fresh herbs, grilled foods, and plenty of fruit. But once the weather starts cooling down, I find myself wondering what traditional Greek foods really feel like fall.

Are there certain dishes you start making as soon as September or October arrives? I'm thinking of foods like fasolada, giouvetsi, trahana soup, baked dishes, savory pies, and recipes using apples, grapes, walnuts, chestnuts, pumpkin, or other fall ingredients.

I'd especially love to hear about foods that were seasonal in your family rather than dishes you ate year-round. Were there certain meals your yiayia or parents always started making when the weather changed?

What Greek foods make you think, "Okay, fall is officially here"?

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?

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!

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.
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