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blopez34

Active member
One of the best parts of Greek food for me is lamb. There are different cuts of lamb and each can be prepare differently. I thought I would share with you my favorite cuts and what I like to do with them!

Lamb Chops

Lamb chops are a classic lamb cut that are perfect for Greek dishes. They are typically cut from the rib section of the lamb and are tender, flavorful, and easy to cook. Lamb chops can be grilled, broiled, or even pan-fried, and they pair well with traditional Greek seasonings like oregano, lemon, and garlic. Lamb chops also go well with Greek side dishes like feta salad or roasted vegetables.

Leg of Lamb

When it comes to Greek cuisine, leg of lamb is a popular and versatile choice. This cut is the entire leg of the lamb, including the hip and shank. It's a large cut of meat that can be roasted, grilled, or even braised. One of the most popular Greek dishes made with leg lamb is gigantes plaki, or braised lamb with beans and tomatoes.

Shoulder of Lamb

The shoulder of lamb is a budget-friendly cut that's perfect for slow-cooked dishes like lamb souvlaki or lamb stew. It's a tougher cut of meat that needs to be cooked on low heat for a long period of time in order to become tender and falling-off-the-bone delicious.

Ground Lamb

Ground lamb is a versatile option that can be used in a variety of Greek dishes, including moussaka and stuffed grape leaves. It can also be used to make flavorful Greek burgers or sausages. Ground lamb is typically made from a variety of cuts, including leg, shoulder, and breast, and can be found at most grocery stores.

Shank of Lamb

The shank of lamb is another budget-friendly cut that's perfect for slow-cooked stews and soups, such as avgolemono. It's a bone-in cut that's typically cooked with herbs, tomatoes, and other vegetables for added flavor. The shank of lamb is also a great source of collagen, which makes it perfect for making a rich, flavorful lamb broth.
 
So my favorites from the list are lego of lamb and lamb shank. I actually grill my leg of lamb! I rotate it on the grill until it's cooked. I brush it with ladolemono throughout the cooking process. I love lamb shank and order it when I go out, but I don't tend to cook that. I love to save some dishes to enjoy for when I go out to eat (because I actually love my cooking and if I start cooking it I won't enjoy it when I go out!)
 
As much as I like a nice leg of lamb, mama oh man I love me some lamb chops, especial if they are on the smaller side. Ladolemono and oregano mmmmm mmmm
 

Greek cooking without a recipe?

I've been thinking about how much traditional Greek cooking relies on instinct rather than following exact recipes. Some of the Greek dishes I learned to make were taught to me by feel, with someone showing me what to do rather than measuring everything out.

I actually enjoy cooking this way, but I've noticed that it can make certain dishes difficult to recreate consistently! Sometimes everything comes together perfectly, and other times I wonder what I did differently.

I'm curious how others approach this. Did you learn Greek cooking by watching your yiayia, mother, or other relatives? Do you measure ingredients, or do you just know when something looks, smells, or tastes right?

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?

How does your family season dolmades?

I’ve been thinking about how much dolmades can vary from one family to another, especially when it comes to seasoning. Even when the basic ingredients are similar, the flavor can be completely different depending on which herbs and spices are used.

How does your family season dolmades? Do you use mostly dill and parsley, or do you add mint as well? I’ve also seen recipes that include green onions, oregano, or even a little cinnamon, especially when meat is part of the filling.

I’m curious whether you season the rice mixture pretty heavily before rolling the grape leaves or keep it simple and let the lemon and olive oil provide most of the flavor. Does your family add lemon juice directly to the filling, or only during cooking and serving?

I’d especially love to hear about any regional or family traditions. What gives your dolmades their distinctive flavor?

Do you make your pastitsio with a thick or thin layer of krema?

I've always preferred my pastitsio with a nice, thick layer of béchamel on top. To me, that's one of the best parts of the dish! I love when the krema is rich, creamy, and thick enough to hold its shape when you cut into the pastitsio.

The problem is that I've been having trouble getting my krema just right. Sometimes it comes out too thin, and other times the texture isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. I've tried adjusting the amount of flour and milk, but I still haven't found the perfect balance.

I'm curious how everyone else makes theirs. Do you prefer a thick layer of béchamel or just enough to cover the pasta? Does your family add eggs or cheese to the mixture?

I'd especially love to hear any tips for making a thick, smooth krema that sets beautifully when baked!

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?
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