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mastichas09

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I recently had a pastitsio that I thought was delicious, so I asked for the recipe.

I was surprised that there was some tomato sauce in it! My family never did that.

So, I made it according to the recipe, and I loved it - but I am still not 100% sure if I would have liked it better without the tomato sauce (the way my family makes it).

I am curious - how do you guys feel about putting tomato sauce in your pastitsio?
 
Was the tomato sauce on the pasta or just in the meat? I use a small can of tomato paste in the meat, and a bit of cinnamon, but no tomato sauce on pasta.

There are regional variations in just about all Greek cooking. If you enjoy it with tomato sauce, than do it. If you prefer it without, do it that way. The whole purpose of food is for you and your family to enjoy it. LOL.

I assure you no matter how you make it there will be no "pastitsio police" showing up at your door. Enjoy it the way you all like it.
 
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We cook the ground beef in the tomato sauce, but when we are in our village we make our village's version of pastitsio which is completely different than what you'd get in the rest of Greece... it has no ground beef in it or tomato sauce
 
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We cook the ground beef in the tomato sauce, but when we are in our village we make our village's version of pastitsio which is completely different than what you'd get in the rest of Greece... it has no ground beef in it or tomato sauce
How is it different? I am intrigued!
 
Was the tomato sauce on the pasta or just in the meat? I use a small can of tomato paste in the meat, and a bit of cinnamon, but no tomato sauce on pasta.

There are regional variations in just about all Greek cooking. If you enjoy it with tomato sauce, than do it. If you prefer it without, do it that way. The whole purpose of food is for you and your family to enjoy it. LOL.

I assure you no matter how you make it there will be no "pastitsio police" showing up at your door. Enjoy it the way you all like it.
The tomato paste was in the ground meat and there was a little bit of cinnamon flavor in it! I love that you said there will be no pastitsio police hahaha. That hit home, because I have been paranoid that a family member would find out I changed the family recipe a little bit and then yell at me LOL.
 

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 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 is your favorite Greek potato dish?

Potatoes show up in so many Greek meals, and I think they are often at their best when they soak up plenty of olive oil, lemon, herbs, and cooking juices.

Greek lemon potatoes are probably the first thing that comes to mind for me. I love when they are roasted until they are soft inside, a little crisp around the edges, and full of lemon and oregano. Potatoes cooked alongside chicken or lamb are also hard to beat because they absorb so much flavor from the pan.

I also enjoy simple boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, lemon, parsley, and salt, especially with fish or grilled meat.

What Greek potato dish do you make most often? Do you prefer lemon potatoes, potatoes roasted with meat, fried potatoes, or something else? And is there a particular seasoning or family method that makes your version especially good?

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.

My Family’s Keftedes Recipe

Keftedes are one of those foods that always remind me of family gatherings. Everyone seems to make them a little differently, but this is the basic version my family has always used.

For about a pound of ground beef, we add one small grated onion, a handful of chopped fresh parsley, a little fresh mint, one egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and a small splash of red wine vinegar. Sometimes we add a little grated garlic as well.

The important part is mixing everything well and then letting the mixture sit in the refrigerator for a little while before shaping the keftedes. We make them fairly small, roll them lightly in flour, and fry them in olive oil until browned on the outside and cooked through.

We usually serve them with lemon, potatoes, salad, or tzatziki.

How does your family make keftedes? I’m especially curious about which herbs and seasonings everyone uses. Thought I'd share!
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