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auroracoor1

Active member
I've been making tzatziki at home, but I'm struggling with the tartness. It sometimes overpowers the other flavors. Does anyone have tips on how to cut the tartness without losing the essence of the dish? I've tried adjusting the lemon juice, but it still seems too sharp. Should I be using a different kind of yogurt or adding another ingredient to balance it out? I'd love to hear your suggestions and any techniques you've found helpful in making a well-balanced tzatziki. Should I not be using lemon?
 
To balance the tartness in your tzatziki, try using full-fat Greek yogurt if you aren’t already—it tends to be creamier and less tangy than low-fat versions. You can also reduce the amount of lemon juice or replace it with a milder acid like white wine vinegar.

Another trick is to add a small amount of finely grated cucumber, which has a natural sweetness, or a pinch of sugar to counterbalance the tartness without compromising the flavor.

Finally, make sure to drain the cucumber well to avoid adding extra moisture, which can dilute the flavors. A touch of olive oil can also mellow out the sharpness while enhancing the overall texture.
 

Sardelles Plaki - Fresh Sardines with Tomatoes

I like to try different things when it comes to Greek food, and lately I’ve been experimenting with more traditional variations. I make plaki fairly often—usually with cod or haddock—and it always turns out great. But on a trip to Greece a few years ago, I had sardelles plaki at a seaside taverna and loved how flavorful it was. I’ve been thinking about trying it at home, but I’m not sure if there’s anything different I should know when using sardines instead of a white fish fillet.

Has anyone here made sardelles plaki from scratch? Do you use fresh or canned sardines? Any prep tips—like whether to remove the heads or bones? I’d love to hear how you season it and what you serve it with. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Advice for foraging and using it in Greek cuisine

I recall my family harvesting a lot of wild greens when I was a kid. It seems that whenever dinnertime was approaching, I'd find a family outside looking for greens for Horta, maybe even a "spanakopita" or rather "hortopita" - which of course was made the same way as spanakopita just with the wild greens.

My question is, what were they looking for? I know about vleeta (amaranth greens), but they picked more than that. Maybe dandelion greens at certain times of the year and some others. What did they pick? I

Regional Dishes in the Cyclades?

I am thinking of going to the Cyclades islands (some of them) next time I am in Greece and would love some advice from fellow food lovers. I know each island has its own specialties, and I want to make sure I try the best regional dishes while I’m there.

I’ve already heard about louza from Mykonos and the tomato fritters from Santorini, but I’d love to discover more local gems—especially the lesser-known dishes you might not see on every tourist menu.

Are there traditional stews, cheeses, or sweets unique to islands like Naxos, Paros, or Syros? Any must-try meze or street food specialties? I’m especially curious about dishes with local ingredients like capers, fava, seafood, or island-made cheeses.

What would you recommend I seek out while traveling through the Cyclades? I want to eat like a local as much as possible!

Favorite 5 Greek Dishes?

If you could narrow it down to five dishes, what would be your favorites? Here are mine:

1. Koulourakia
2. Souvlaki
3. Horiatiki (village salad)
4. Keftedes
5. Pastitsio

How about you? Looking forward to seeing your responses! I am doing this to get out of my comfort zone a bit and see if I can't get inspired to cook some new dishes.

Hortopita or Spanakopita without Cheese?

I’m hoping to get some advice from anyone who’s made hortopita or spanakopita without cheese. A family member recently developed a dairy intolerance, and I’d love to be able to make a pie she can enjoy too. Traditionally I use feta or mizithra, so I’m a bit unsure how it will turn out without the cheese—will it still taste good?

Have you ever made a vegan or dairy-free version of these pies? What do you add to make up for the missing richness and saltiness from the cheese? Are there herbs, extra olive oil, or maybe lemon juice that help brighten the flavor?

I’d really appreciate any tips—especially from people who’ve done it successfully. Would love to keep the flavors authentic and satisfying while making it friendly for her diet. Thanks so much in advance!
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