Greek Food, Cooking and Recipe Community

Does anyone have authentic tips for the best baklava?

1 - 7 of 7 Posts
B

blopez34

Active member
Are there any tips on how to make the best baklava? I’ve always struggled to find a balance between making it crispy, flavourful, sweet but not too sweet. I know it’s probably going to take a lot of trial and error, but I would really appreciate any fool proof tips and recipes. It would be great if I could make baklava that tastes as good as the ones from this bakery.

baklava.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: voula_slat and xmelissaa
I know the traditional way in greek cooking is to make it with walnuts, but you can always try adding pistachios or different types of nuts to experiment to your liking.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mastichas09
Another tip (from my wife LOL) is to add syrup to the baklava when the baklava is cold and when the syrup is hot! This is so that the baklava doesnt become soggy. Soggy baklava is actually the woooorssttt, I hate it.
 
blopez34 said:
Are there any tips on how to make the best baklava? I’ve always struggled to find a balance between making it crispy, flavourful, sweet but not too sweet. I know it’s probably going to take a lot of trial and error, but I would really appreciate any fool proof tips and recipes. It would be great if I could make baklava that tastes as good as the ones from this bakery.

View attachment 6
Click to expand...
Like every other Greek recipe, I find there are 100's of variations. I just use the ancestral one passed down, and then we keep tweaking it to our taste. I've experimented with putting less butter and sugar to see if it still tastes OK, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: voula_slat
My mom says that the key to baklava is adding rosewater to the syrup. It adds such an extra dimension of flavor and is so tasty. Don’t add too much, because it can taste or smell like perfume. I add one tablespoon to the syrup when it’s COLD!! Make sure you don’t cook it with the syrup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: blopez34
voula_slat said:
My mom says that the key to baklava is adding rosewater to the syrup. It adds such an extra dimension of flavor and is so tasty. Don’t add too much, because it can taste or smell like perfume. I add one tablespoon to the syrup when it’s COLD!! Make sure you don’t cook it with the syrup.
Click to expand...
Woah I didn't know that I could use rose water, thanks! Can I find it at most Greek supermarkets?
 
blopez34 said:
Woah I didn't know that I could use rose water, thanks! Can I find it at most Greek supermarkets?
Click to expand...
You can find rosewater at most Greek, Middle Eastern and Latin American supermarkets! Sometimes I can even find it at a normal traditional western supermarket.
 
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Learning about Greek food and wine pairing

I've recently developed a fascination with Greek wines and am eager to explore their potential pairings with various cuisines. Greek wines, with their rich history and unique grape varieties, offer a tantalizing range of flavors that I believe can complement a wide array of dishes beautifully. However, my experience in effectively pairing these wines is somewhat limited, and I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights from those more familiar with this area.

Particularly, I'm interested in understanding which types of Greek wines (white, red, or rosé) pair best with specific dishes or cuisines. Here are a few specific questions I have in mind:
  1. Assyrtiko: Known for its crisp acidity and citrus notes, which dishes would best highlight Assyrtiko's characteristics?
  2. Agiorgitiko: Often described as smooth and velvety, what kinds of meals would complement this type of red wine?
  3. Xinomavro: With its robust tannins and complex flavor profile, what are the best food pairings to balance its intensity?
  4. Retsina: Given its unique pine resin flavor, are there particular foods that match well with this traditional wine?
Additionally, I'm curious if there are any general rules of thumb when it comes to pairing Greek wines with dishes from other culinary traditions outside of Greek cuisine.

Thank you!

Best meze to serve at Easter?

What is the best Greek meze to serve for Greek Easter? I want dishes that will wow my guests and make this Easter unforgettable. I’m looking for meze that are both traditional and have that ‘wow’ factor in terms of visual appeal and taste. I’d appreciate if you could share your favorites and perhaps some personal tips or recipes that make them stand out.

Here’s what I’m considering so far, but I’d love your input:
  • Tzatziki - A refreshing yogurt, cucumber, and garlic dip.
  • Spanakopita - Hearty spinach and feta pie encased in flaky pastry.
  • Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves) - A tangy and herb-infused delight.
  • Feta cheese. A classic - I sometimes drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano.
  • Olives. No meze spread is complete without olives.
What else should I put out? Or is that enough? We're having about 20 people.

Essential Greek Pantry Staples - Your Recommendations?

I've recently developed a keen interest in Greek cuisine and I'm on a mission to incorporate more of its flavors into my daily cooking. Given the vast knowledge pool here, I thought this would be the perfect place to ask about must-have Greek pantry staples.

From what I gather, olive oil, olives, and feta cheese seem like obvious essentials. But I'm curious about the less obvious, yet equally important ingredients that could elevate my dishes with authentic Greek flavors.

Are there specific herbs, spices, or any other pantry items that are staples in Greek cooking? Additionally, if there are brands or types of these ingredients that you swear by, I'd love to hear about those too.

greek-food-pantry-items.jpg

Getting souvlaki tender?

How do you make tender Greek souvlaki? I've attempted various recipes, marinated for different durations, and experimented with both high and low cooking temps, but I seem to be missing the mark for that mouth-watering tenderness commonly found in authentic Greek souvlaki.

Has anyone found a particular method or ingredient that makes a significant difference in achieving that ideal tenderness?

I use ladolemono, a marinate it overnight in ziplock baggies (after I cut the meat in cubes) and then I add them to the skewers and cook them on the grill. I typically use chicken.

Greek grilling advice and tips?

It's getting warm out and time to break out the grill! I am interested in how do Greek people in Greece grill? I've had so many delicious grilled foods in Greece, I am having a hard time getting the same flavors here in the United States.

I've tried my hand at a few recipes, aiming to capture that authentic taste, but I feel like there's a deeper level of technique and tradition that I'm just not hitting. From choosing the right ingredients to mastering the grill itself, I know there’s a wealth of subtleties that can turn a good dish into a great one.

Do they use certain marinades or techniques? I've watched people in Greece grill - they don't even really follow recipes.
Sign up for a free account and share your thoughts, photos, questions about Greek food, travel and culture!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top