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xmelissaa

Active member
My friends tease me that I always serve Greek food, no matter the party. Of course! Everyone loves the Greek food I make and why not?!

Anyway, I am having a Halloween party and I want to start planning from now. What food should I serve?

I’m looking for ideas on the best Greek foods that would be perfect for a festive and slightly spooky celebration. I’d love to serve dishes that are not only delicious but also visually appealing, fitting the Halloween theme with bold colors, interesting shapes, or fun presentation ideas.

I thought maybe stick to "harvest" type flavors like apple and pumpkin, in addition to serving the typical stuff I usually do, like spanakopita.
 
Greek food for a Halloween party sounds amazing! For festive dishes with a spooky twist, you can make kolokithopita(pumpkin pie) using a savory filling—perfect for the season and harvest flavors! You could also shape spanakopita or tiropita into mini triangles or spirals to resemble spooky shapes.

For something visually striking, try melitzanosalata (eggplant dip) served with black sesame seeds and veggies for a dark, eerie look. Or, make stuffed grape leaves (dolmades) and arrange them like little “mummies” on a platter.

Feta-stuffed peppers could look like “monster mouths,” and you can add olives as eyes for fun presentation. For a sweet touch, serve loukoumades (honey dough balls), but drizzle them with pomegranate syrup for a blood-red effect. These will keep the Greek flavors alive while adding a Halloween twist!
 

Tips for using thyme in Greek cooking?

I’ve always leaned heavily on oregano in my Greek cooking. But I recently started an indoor herb garden, and my thyme plant is thriving!

The thing is, I almost never use thyme in my recipes. I know it’s traditional in some Greek dishes, but I’m not sure where it truly shines. Does anyone here use thyme often when cooking Greek food?

Should I be adding it to roasted lamb, baked fish, or maybe in lentil soup? Is it better fresh or dried? I’ve read that thyme can be strong, so I’m curious how to balance it without overpowering the dish.

I’d love to hear how you all incorporate thyme, any favorite recipes or combinations that bring out its flavor the Greek way?

How do you make your tzatziki creamier?

I make Greek food all the time, spanakopita, keftedes, souvlaki, you name it — but I’ve always taken the shortcut and bought my tzatziki ready-made. Lately I’ve been wanting to make it from scratch and get that rich, creamy texture you find in good tavernas.

I’ve tried a few recipes with strained Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice, but mine keeps turning out too thin or slightly watery after a few hours. I strain the cucumber and even use full-fat yogurt, but it still doesn’t have that thick, velvety consistency.

So I’m curious — what’s your secret to creamier tzatziki? Do you use a specific brand of yogurt, or maybe add something like sour cream or labneh? Does chilling it overnight make a difference? I’d love to hear how you make yours stay thick, fresh, and perfectly balanced between tangy and smooth.

Favorite Herbs for Dolmades?

I’ve been experimenting with different herb combinations for dolmades lately, and I’m curious what everyone else uses. Traditionally I’ve seen recipes with dill, parsley, mint, or even a mix of all three — but I’ve found that mint really makes the flavor pop. It gives the filling such a fresh, aromatic lift that balances the rice and olive oil beautifully.

Sometimes I’ll add a touch of dill for depth, or parsley if I want something more earthy, but mint always seems to bring everything together. I’ve also noticed some regions lean heavily on dill, while others skip it entirely.

Do you find that certain herbs make your dolmades taste more authentic or closer to how your family used to make them? Do you adjust depending on whether they’re meat-filled or vegetarian?

What pasta do you use for pastritsio?

I usually use the long, hollow macaroni no.2 from Greece when I make pastitsio. It’s the classic kind that gives you those perfect layers that I love. The problem is, I can’t always find it locally, and ordering online isn’t always convenient (or quick).

When I don’t have it on hand, I start to panic a bit. Pastitsio just doesn’t feel the same without the right pasta! I’ve tried ziti, penne, and even bucatini in a pinch, but nothing seems to hold up quite like the Greek version. I’m curious what everyone else does when they can’t find the real thing.

Do you have a favorite substitute that still gives that authentic texture? Or do you swear by only using the traditional Greek macaroni? I’d love to hear what’s worked for others, especially if you’ve discovered any good brands available in the U.S.

Do you ever mix traditional Greek recipes with modern twists?

I grew up cooking traditional Greek food. All the recipes in my kitchen are ones that have been passed down through my family.

I still make them exactly as they were written most of the time, but every now and then, I can’t help experimenting a little. I’ll swap ingredients, lighten things up, or try a more modern cooking method just to see how it turns out.

The funny thing is, even when the newer versions taste amazing, there’s still something about the old recipes that feels different. Maybe it’s the memories attached to them, such as the smells, the sounds, the people around the table.

I’m curious how others feel about this. Do you ever mix traditional Greek recipes with modern twists? Do you think it changes the soul of the dish, or do you see it as keeping our food culture alive and evolving?
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