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seleanor

Active member
My personal favorite is roast pork, which is not eaten by all families during Christmas but I would say its quite a few

To-Chirino-Tis-Annas-720x480.jpg
 
This is the one time of year I actually like to eat ham, and of course were have spanakopita, baklava, maybe some tzatziki.... No matter what we serve there are always Greek sides!
 
This is the one time of year I actually like to eat ham, and of course were have spanakopita, baklava, maybe some tzatziki.... No matter what we serve there are always Greek sides!
I went to my Greek friends thanksgiving this year and that's exactly what they did! Turkey with some Greek sides :) so tasty
 
I went to my Greek friends thanksgiving this year and that's exactly what they did! Turkey with some Greek sides :) so tasty
That's what Thanksgiving looks like for us. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, Greek sides, apple pie, baklava haha. I love it!
 
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One of my favorite Greek food items to eat during the Christmas season is Kourabiedes:

 
One of my favorite Greek food items to eat during the Christmas season is Kourabiedes:

Kourabedies are delicious - they're my favorite too! For Christmas Day we usually cook a roast or something like that, and serve a combination of Greek and American sides. Spanakopita, fasolakia, usually some kind of pie, like Apple pie, kourabedies, baklava...
 
Oh my gosh, I love kourabedies, too! During Christmas, I put a little almond extract to give it a bit of a holiday flavor. (I love Christmas cookies that have almond flavoring!)
 
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Oh my gosh, I love kourabedies, too! During Christmas, I put a little almond extract to give it a bit of a holiday flavor. (I love Christmas cookies that have almond flavoring!)
Is almond extract available at most grocery stores?
 
Is almond extract available at most grocery stores?
Yes, in the United States it is. It's in the baking aisle near the vanilla extract and all that.
 
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Yes, in the United States it is. It's in the baking aisle near the vanilla extract and all that.
Its super easy to find, just have to look for it
 

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?

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 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?

What is your favorite Greek potato dish?

Potatoes show up in so many Greek meals, and I think they are often at their best when they soak up plenty of olive oil, lemon, herbs, and cooking juices.

Greek lemon potatoes are probably the first thing that comes to mind for me. I love when they are roasted until they are soft inside, a little crisp around the edges, and full of lemon and oregano. Potatoes cooked alongside chicken or lamb are also hard to beat because they absorb so much flavor from the pan.

I also enjoy simple boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, lemon, parsley, and salt, especially with fish or grilled meat.

What Greek potato dish do you make most often? Do you prefer lemon potatoes, potatoes roasted with meat, fried potatoes, or something else? And is there a particular seasoning or family method that makes your version especially good?
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