Cooking Peloponnese Specialties at Home?

[GreekGirlCooks]

I recently traveled to the Peloponnese and absolutely fell in love with the food. From the incredible olive oil of Kalamata to hearty dishes like lamb kleftiko and lahanodolmades, everything was delicious. Now that I’m back home, I’d love to recreate some of the region’s specialties in my own kitchen.

Which traditional Peloponnesian dishes are the easiest to make at home? I’m especially interested in recipes that don’t require hard-to-find ingredients. Are there any must-try stews, simple meze, or seafood dishes that capture the flavors of the region? Also, any tips for making authentic sauces or using Greek herbs would be greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to hearing your recommendations—especially from anyone who has experience cooking these dishes. Thanks!

 

[k_tsoukalas]

The Peloponnese has some incredible dishes, and it’s great that you want to recreate them at home! A few easy yet authentic options to start with:

• Lahanodolmades (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls): You can make these with ground beef or lamb, rice, and herbs. The key is the avgolemono (egg-lemon sauce)—whisk eggs and lemon juice, then slowly add warm broth before mixing into the pot.
• Kagianas (Greek Scrambled Eggs): A simple yet delicious meze—scramble eggs with ripe tomatoes, feta, and oregano, and serve with crusty bread.
• Moschari Kokkinisto (Beef Stew in Tomato Sauce): Slow-cooked with cinnamon, bay leaves, and allspice, it’s flavorful and easy to make with pantry staples.

For seafood, grilled sardines with lemon and oregano are a great way to capture that coastal flavor. Use Greek oregano and thyme generously—dried herbs from the region have a uniquely bold taste. Enjoy experimenting with these!