1 - 2 of 2 Posts

GreekGirlCooks

Active member
I was shopping at a Greek market near me the other day and came across a package of hilopites. I’ve seen them before but never actually cooked with them, so I decided to grab a bag. Now I’m not sure what’s the best way to prepare them!

From what I understand, they’re a type of traditional Greek egg pasta, sometimes cut into small squares and sometimes into longer, thinner shapes. Do you usually cook them simply like pasta with butter and cheese, or do they work better in baked dishes and soups?

I’ve also read about recipes where hilopites are simmered in chicken broth or tomato sauce, and even paired with lamb or rooster — that sounds amazing but maybe a little advanced for my first try.

So I’m curious: what’s your favorite way to cook hilopites at home? Any tips for a beginner?
 
I love hilopites — they’re one of those comfort foods that instantly remind me of my yiayia’s kitchen! Since it’s your first time cooking them, I’d suggest keeping it simple to really appreciate their flavor and texture.

One easy and classic way is to simmer them directly in a rich chicken broth until tender, then stir in a knob of butter and a generous sprinkle of grated mizithra or kefalotyri cheese. They absorb the broth beautifully, becoming almost risotto-like.

If you want something a bit heartier, make hilopites me kotopoulo (with chicken): brown chicken pieces, add tomato, onion, cinnamon, and a bit of broth, then stir in the hilopites during the last 10 minutes to cook together in the sauce.
 

Greek street foods for summer?

I might be going to Greece in July, and one thing I’m really looking forward to is the street food. I’ve had gyros and souvlaki plenty of times here in the U.S., but I’m guessing the experience in Greece is completely different.

I’d love recommendations for the best street foods to try during the summer, especially things that are refreshing or easy to grab while walking around. Are there certain foods that are more popular in the hotter months? I’ve heard about koulouri in Thessaloniki and loukoumades from street vendors, but I’m sure there’s a lot more I don’t know about.

Also curious if there are regional specialties depending on which islands or cities you visit. I’m hoping to avoid overly touristy spots and try things locals actually eat regularly. What street foods would you put at the top of the list?

What's better - Lamb on the spit or oven-roasted lamb?

Alright, I need to ask this because this debate comes up every Easter and every big family gathering in my circle. What’s actually better, lamb on the spit or oven-roasted lamb?

Part of me feels like nothing beats lamb slowly turning over charcoal for hours. The smell alone feels like a Greek holiday to me, and when the outside gets crispy while the inside stays juicy, it’s hard to top. Plus there’s the whole atmosphere around it.

But honestly, I’ve had some incredible oven-roasted lamb too, especially when it’s cooked low and slow with lemon, garlic, oregano, potatoes, and all the juices soaking into everything. If you had to choose only one version for the rest of your life, which are you picking and why?

What Makes a Perfect Greek Salad?

I've always loved a traditional Greek village salad (horiatiki), and the older I get, the more I appreciate how simple it is. For me, the perfect Greek salad starts with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, a generous piece of feta on top, good olive oil, and a sprinkle of oregano. No lettuce—just the classic ingredients.

That got me wondering how everyone else likes their Greek salad. Do you prefer the traditional village-style version, or do you add other ingredients? I've seen some people include green peppers, capers, or even different types of cheese depending on the region.

I'm also curious about dressing preferences. Do you stick with olive oil, oregano, and maybe a little vinegar, or do you use something more elaborate?

What makes a Greek salad perfect in your opinion? I'd love to hear about family traditions, regional variations, and any tips for making it extra flavorful.

Traditional Greek foods that remind you of summer?

I was thinking about this because every summer I seem to crave the same Greek foods, and I’m not sure if it’s because they’re actually traditional summer foods or just because I associate them with festivals, cookouts, and family gatherings.

For me, it’s always things like horiatiki, watermelon with feta, souvlaki, tzatziki, grilled seafood, and anything with tomatoes, olive oil, lemon, and oregano. Even a cold frappé feels like summer to me.

But then I started wondering if this depends on where your family is from in Greece, or whether people mostly think of the same foods when summer comes around.

What traditional Greek foods immediately remind you of summer?

Best regional Greek salads beyond horiatiki?

I realized recently that whenever people talk about Greek salads, it almost always comes back to horiatiki. I am just curious because I KNOW Greeks are eating different salads. I was in a taxi once where the driver parked at an Aldi, ran in, bought lettuce, and then proceeded to drive us where we were going. Anyway, that got me curious about what people eat.

I’ve heard of dakos in Crete and I know some islands and villages seem to use different vegetables, herbs, breads, cheeses, etc.. I’m especially curious about dishes that people actually eat in the summer rather than restaurant versions made for tourists. What do you think?
Sign up for a free account and share your thoughts, photos, questions about Greek food, travel and culture!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top