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dimi_pat

Active member
I don't always have fresh dill on hand and I have trouble making it grow indoors... I like to make tzatziki and I love dill in that, and also in my spinach pie. Will it work to use dried dill? It doesn't have a very strong aroma, and I am trying to figure out if using dried dill is generally a bad idea, or if my dill is too old and needs to be thrown out. Has anyone here ever used dried dill? So far, I much prefer the fresh dill.
 
Haven't tried dried dill but I have tried frozen dill and it seems to work almost as well as fresh dill. Tip: next time you buy or find some dill, freeze some of it to use later.
 
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I don't always have fresh dill on hand and I have trouble making it grow indoors... I like to make tzatziki and I love dill in that, and also in my spinach pie. Will it work to use dried dill? It doesn't have a very strong aroma, and I am trying to figure out if using dried dill is generally a bad idea, or if my dill is too old and needs to be thrown out. Has anyone here ever used dried dill? So far, I much prefer the fresh dill.
Hi dimi_pat,

You can definitely use dried dill for your tzatziki sauce. The general rule for swapping dried for fresh herbs is to use 1/3 of the amount called for in the recipe. So let’s say the recipe calls for 1 tablespoons of oregano then you will use 1 teaspoons dried (1tbls = 3 tsp) Also you are right if you have your dried dill for a while it might have lost it potency.
 
I always use dried dill, to me it has much more flavor. Tried fresh dill once in something and truly disappointed, so always used dried, and it's easy to have on hand.

I have never used any measuring device for herbs or spices. Start with a small bit, you can always add more. If you prefer measuring that's fine, it's just I never saw anyone in my family cook that way with herbs or spices.
 
Haven't tried dried dill but I have tried frozen dill and it seems to work almost as well as fresh dill. Tip: next time you buy or find some dill, freeze some of it to use later.
I agree with this! I have frozen fresh dill before with good results.
 

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.

Do You Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.

What herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?

Favorite Greek Cheeses Beyond Feta

Feta gets most of the attention when people talk about Greek cheese, but there are so many other varieties worth trying. I’m curious which Greek cheeses everyone enjoys most beyond feta.

Graviera is one of my favorites because it works so well on a cheese plate, grated over dishes, or just eaten with bread. Kasseri is another one I really like, especially melted. I’ve also been interested in trying more regional cheeses like metsovone, manouri, kefalotyri, and formaela.

Some Greek cheeses seem to be much easier to find outside Greece than others, so I’d also love to know which ones people regularly buy and where they usually find them.

What Greek cheeses do you keep coming back to? Are there certain ones you associate with a particular region, dish, or family tradition? And if someone has mostly eaten feta, which Greek cheese would you recommend they try next?

What Is the Best Way to Serve Taramosalata?

I absolutely love taramosalata and have it pretty regularly at home, but I’m having some people over soon and was wondering about the best way to serve it when entertaining.

Normally I just eat it with some bread or pita, so I don’t really put much thought into presentation. For guests, though, I’d like to make it part of a nice Greek-style spread with a few other things on the table. I was thinking warm pita triangles, crusty bread, maybe some cucumber and other vegetables for dipping, but I’m curious what everyone else usually serves with it.

Do you drizzle a little olive oil over the top or add any kind of garnish? And are there particular meze that you think pair especially well with taramosalata?

I’d love some ideas for making it look a little more special while still keeping everything traditional and simple.
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