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I’m getting ready for Greek Easter and planning my menu, but I need to order my lamb soon since it’s hard to find where I live. Most people here don’t eat much lamb, so it has to be special-ordered.

I’d love some recommendations—what are the best lamb dishes for Easter? Should I go for the classic whole roasted lamb on the spit, or would a slow-roasted lamb dish like arni kleftiko or arni sto fourno (lamb in the oven with potatoes) work just as well? How about cooking a leg, maybe grilling it?

I want to keep it traditional, but I also need something practical since I don’t have access to a whole lamb. Any advice on cuts of meat, cooking methods, and essential Greek Easter flavors would be super helpful
 
If you can’t do the traditional whole spit-roasted lamb, don’t worry—there are plenty of delicious Greek Easter alternatives that still honor tradition! Arni kleftiko (slow-roasted lamb with garlic, lemon, and herbs) is a fantastic choice, as it’s flavorful, tender, and requires minimal attention while cooking. Arni sto fourno me patates (lamb in the oven with potatoes) is another Easter classic—just use a leg or shoulder and slow-roast it with oregano, garlic, and lemon for that authentic Greek flavor.

If you prefer grilling, a butterflied leg of lamb marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon, and rosemary is a great option. It’s practical, cooks faster than a whole lamb, and still gives you that delicious charred flavor.

Whichever method you choose, serve it with tzatziki, Greek salad, and fresh bread, and don’t forget magiritsa soupfor a truly traditional Easter feast!
 

Best dips to serve with souvlaki?

Hey everyone! I’m planning to make a big batch of souvlaki soon for some company coming over, and I’m looking to level up my sides game a bit. I always make tzatziki—it’s a classic and never disappoints—but I’d really like to mix things up this time and offer a few other traditional (or even creative) Greek dips or spreads to go with it.

What do you usually serve with your souvlaki? I’m thinking something that’s great for scooping with pita or drizzling over the meat. I’ve heard of things like tirokafteri and skordalia, but I’ve never made them myself. Would love tips, go-to recipes, or even store-bought recs if you’ve got them.

Also curious if anyone serves something less traditional, like a Greek-style hummus or roasted eggplant dip. Anything that complements grilled meat is fair game!

Appreciate the ideas—thanks in advance!

How long to soak dried chick peas?

Hi everyone! I usually use canned chickpeas out of convenience, but I’m trying to cut back on sodium in my cooking. Some canned brands have way too much salt, even if you rinse them. I’m thinking of switching to dried chickpeas but have never actually soaked or cooked them myself.

How long do you typically soak them for? Do you soak them overnight, or is there a quicker method that still works well? I’ve heard about the hot soak or “quick soak” methods but don’t know if they affect texture or taste.

Also, any tips for getting them soft without turning them to mush? I'd love to use them for things like salads, stews, or revithia. Thanks in advance!

Simple Moussaka Recipe

My family recipe for moussaka is complicated and makes a huge portion. I am trying to simplify it. Here is one of my attempts - it came out pretty good! Any advice you guys might have to tweak things?

Ingredients

For the base:

  • 2 large eggplants, sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
For the meat sauce:
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 500g (1 lb) ground beef or lamb
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Optional: ¼ cup red wine
For the béchamel sauce:
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups warm milk
  • Salt, pepper, pinch of nutmeg
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan or kefalotyri
  • 1 egg, beaten

Instructions

  1. Prepare eggplant:
    • Sprinkle sliced eggplants with salt and let sit for 20–30 minutes to remove bitterness. Pat dry.
    • Brush with olive oil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden, flipping halfway.
  2. Make meat sauce:
    • Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add ground meat and cook until browned.
    • Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and optional wine. Simmer for 20–25 minutes until thickened.
  3. Make béchamel:
    • In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook 1–2 minutes.
    • Gradually add milk while whisking until thickened.
    • Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat, stir in cheese and beaten egg.
  4. Assemble:
    • In a baking dish, layer half the eggplants, then all the meat sauce, then the remaining eggplants.
    • Pour béchamel over the top and smooth it out.
  5. Bake:
    • Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40–45 minutes until golden and bubbly.
    • Let rest 20–30 minutes before serving.

Favorite Combinations for Meze?

I’m putting together a meze spread soon and would love to hear everyone’s favorite combos! I know there are so many options—dips, cheeses, olives, little bites of seafood or meat—and it’s hard to decide what to include without going overboard.

Do you have go-to combinations that work well together flavor-wise or texture-wise? For example, I love pairing taramosalata with grilled pita, and I always include dolmades, olives, and a wedge of feta with oregano and olive oil. Sometimes I’ll add shrimp saganaki or keftedakia if I want something more filling.

But I’m curious—what makes it onto your ideal meze platter? Do you stick to vegetarian, add seafood, or include some hot options? I’d love to hear what you put together and how you balance everything out!

What is your favorite Greek cheese?

What’s your favorite Greek cheese and how do you use it?

I’m partial to feta—it’s always in my fridge and I toss it into just about everything. From horiatiki salads to spanakopita to a simple omelet, it just works. But lately, I’ve been trying to branch out and explore some of the other amazing Greek cheeses out there.

I’ve tried graviera and really liked how nutty it was when grilled. A friend recently suggested trying manouri in desserts, which totally surprised me—had no idea it was that versatile! I also picked up some kefalotyri and used it for saganaki, which was incredible.

So I’m curious—what’s your favorite Greek cheese and how do you usually enjoy it? Are there any regional cheeses I should try? I’d especially love ideas for how to use them in both traditional and unexpected ways.

Would love to hear what everyone else is cooking with!
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