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I recently had a mishap while making fasolakia. The beans all fell apart. I am assuming I overcooked the beans but I am not sure because I have cooked the dish this long in the past without issues.

What was different about this time is I decided to put potatoes in it to make it a bit heartier for winter. Should I have not done this? Maybe I really cooked it longer than I thought because of the potatoes?
 
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Just a quick follow up. I made them again and cooked it less, but they still fell apart! I didn't put potatoes this time.
 

k_tsoukalas

Moderator
I have learned that the beans should be simmered for no more than 30 minutes. I bring it a boil on medium-high, then drop it down to a simmer for 30 minutes, but no more than 45. It depends on how mature the beans were. If they were young, smaller, and freshly picked, they might need 25-30 minutes on simmer. Older beans (on the vine longer) might be closer to 45 minutes.
 

Making Ladokouloura at home - recipes I found

I am baking more because of the holidays. I love ladokouloura (kouloura made with olive oil). I usually buy it, but realized I can make it. Here is a recipe I can find. Does it look right? I believe it is slightly different from the video I found. What do you think about these recipes? Which should I try?

- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 cups of all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine the wet ingredients (olive oil, sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract) in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and cinnamon). Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring the ingredients together to form a dough. Knead the dough until it is smooth and not sticking to your hands.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Shape the cookies and place on the sheet spaced about an inch apart. Place the sheet in the oven and bake the cookies for about 20 minutes. They are done when they are a slight golden brown color.

Making the Greek baklava rolls?

I have my family's baklava recipe. They usually make it in a huge round pan.

Can I use this same recipe to make the version where it's all rolled, or do I need to do something different?

My plan was to figure out how to actually make the rolls, and then stuff it with the filling the way my family makes it, then make the syrup the way my family does (orange and cinnamon mostly).

My gut is that yes, this is possible.

I found a video on how to make the rolls. I needed to see it visually:

Street corn like in Greece?

One of the things I like to eat on the street in Greece is the street corn. I have been trying to replicate making it at home because I grill all the time.

I can find corn year round, but I admit that it tastes so much better when the corn is in season.

Anyway, when I first started doing this, I didn't boil it first! I am pretty sure they boil the corn first in Greece. Is this true? It's starting to taste a little closer, but I have a few missing pieces.

How do they season it? I favor butter with corn, but when I use it, I admit it doesn't taste "right". Has anyone tried to make the corn at hime and can offer me some advice?

greek-street-corn.jpg

Are melamakarona and finikia the same thing?

I had thought I never made melamakarona but then when I got the recipe from a friend, it looks exactly like my finikia recipe.

Are they basically the same thing with a different name?

Here is my Finikia recipe and aside from some minor differences, it looks the same as my friend's Melamakarona recipe.

- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy or cognac
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely chopped walnuts
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup honey

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. Mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. Add the vegetable oil, orange juice, brandy, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to combine the ingredients until a thick dough forms.
3. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Form the dough into small balls (around 1-2 inches in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
6. While the cookies are baking, prepare the honey syrup. In a saucepan, heat the honey over medium heat until it starts to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped walnuts.
8. Dip the baked cookies in the honey syrup while they're still warm, making sure to coat them evenly. Place the coated cookies on a wire rack to cool.

Greek food ideas to take to a potluck?

I have to go to a potluck. I tend to bring the same handful of Greek foods and I want more ideas. Here’s what I usually bring:

Spanakopita and Tiropita - I tend to bring this because I can find it even if I don’t make it! But I like making it, too… depends on my time.

Greek Salad - Greek salads are flavorful, refreshing, and easy to make. All you have to do is chop up some tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and olives and mix them in a salad bowl with some feta cheese and a homemade dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano. I've brought this before when

Tzatziki - Tzatziki is a classic Greek dip that is perfect for any potluck. Made with strained yogurt, garlic, cucumber, and olive oil, this dip is creamy, tangy, and refreshing. I make a platter of it with with pita chips and maybe fresh vegetables for dipping.
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